Russia sends elite brigade to surround Avdiivka, attack Ukraine's flank

Nga điều lữ đoàn tinh nhuệ bao vây Avdiivka, tấn công chọc sườn Ukraine - 1 — Ukrainian tanks fire at Russian positions (Photo: UP).

Mykola Volokhov, commander of the Terra unit of the 3rd Assault Brigade, announced that Russia had moved elite forces to Avdiivka and concentrated a significant number of infantry there.

"The situation is difficult. The enemy is difficult. We have information that there are seven Russian brigades against us. Their forces are larger. Ukraine has eliminated a record number of Russian soldiers and weapons in one day," he said.

"But the situation at the moment is still nothing to be happy about, because Russia is still a difficult force to fight and they have deployed their elite units here. This development can be compared to the battle in Bakhmut, but perhaps much more difficult," he admitted.

Mr Volokhov said Russia has deployed both elite regular troops and combined elite units. They are using fairly accurate artillery. Both Russian suicide drones and bomber drones are being deployed.

"Russia is very actively conducting flanking exercises to create an unfavorable situation for Ukraine. We are looking for ways to resolve this issue," he said.

Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade said that two Russian brigades attacking the Avdiivka front had suffered losses but the situation in the area remained difficult as Russia sent more troops there.

"Avdiivka is hell. The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade confirms that its forces have been urgently redeployed to reinforce the Ukrainian army in the Avdiivka area. The situation in the town at the time of the brigade's deployment was extremely critical," the statement said.

"Separate battalions of the 3rd Brigade conducted a raid on the Russian-controlled Avdiivka areas. The Russian forces in the area numbered about seven brigades. Two Russian brigades suffered serious losses. The exact enemy losses in manpower and equipment will be announced later, after the necessary data is confirmed," the 3rd Brigade said.

"At the same time, the situation in Avdiivka remains precarious and unstable. Russia continues to actively rotate troops and deploy new forces and equipment to the town," the statement said.

The commander of the 3rd Brigade, Andrii Biletskyi, stressed that the soldiers are having to fight fiercely from all sides against the new brigades that Russia is deploying."

On February 13, Ukrainian media reported that the country's Eastern Command had transferred the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade to Avdiivka.

A day earlier, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said reinforcements had been sent to the Avdiivka front.

Avdiivka in Donetsk, considered the gateway to the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, is a key link in Russia's plan to take complete control of the Donbass region.

Observers say Russia is applying similar tactics to Bakhmut to capture Avdiivka by mobilizing large numbers of soldiers and equipment for large-scale attacks.

Russia has taken advantage of Ukraine's severe shortage of artillery shells due to the suspension of Western aid in recent months. With overwhelming potential, Russia has poured "rain" of firepower on Ukrainian positions and strongholds, gradually eroding the enemy's fighting capacity.

If Russia can hold on to its new positions north of Avdiivka, Moscow could threaten the Ukrainian garrison's supply lines, advancing on the city from the west.

Source