Ukrainian troops hold out in eastern town of Avdiivka

Artillery supporting Russian troops on the Avdiivka front

Reuters quoted Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for southern Ukrainian forces, as saying that Russia saw Avdiivka as an opportunity to gain a significant victory and thereby "turn the tide of the fighting".

Tense situation in Avdiivka

On October 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv forces were trying to hold the line in Avdiivka, a town that this week became the target of a heavy attack by Russian troops.

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Ukrainian officials say Russia has brought a large number of troops and weapons to Avdiivka after several months of siege.

At present, Russian troops are said to be carrying out the largest attack on the town since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian sources also said the fighting had become fiercer than ever around Avdiivka, as Moscow moved to repel counterattacks by Ukrainian troops since the Kyiv government launched a counteroffensive in the east and south.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW, USA) believes that Russia's increased pressure in Avdiivka is probably aimed at "tying down" Ukrainian forces, preventing the enemy from sending additional troops to other areas of the front line.

Regarding the villages around Avdiivka, ISW said geolocated images taken on October 10-11 confirmed Russian units advancing near the village of Sieverne to the southwest of the town, and approaching the villages of Stepove and Krasnohorivka to the northwest.

Russia's "elastic and flexible defense to counter Ukraine's counterattack"

Russia has not commented on the reports, but the TASS news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying that its forces were improving their position near Avdiivka. Russian units were also receiving air and artillery support in the area.

Russia moves to suspend ratification of nuclear test ban treaty

The State Duma (Russian lower house of parliament) will hold a vote next week on a bill to withdraw from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The State Duma (Russian lower house of parliament) is preparing to hold a session on the bill to withdraw from the nuclear test ban treaty.

Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, said the bill's introduction session is scheduled for October 17 and the process will be completed within two days.

Mr. Slutsky affirmed that all 450 members of the State Duma will support the bill, paving the way for Russia to officially leave the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Russia ratified the treaty in 2000. The United States signed but never ratified it.

"For 23 years we have been waiting for Washington to ratify the treaty. What is happening here? Double standards, selfishness and irresponsibility," said Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. He added that it was time for Russia to act in the interests of its own people.

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The CTBT has been signed by 187 countries, of which 178 have ratified. However, to date the treaty has not come into force until it has been signed and ratified by eight specific countries. China, Egypt, Iran, and the United States have signed but not ratified. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, and Pakistan have not even signed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on October 12.

Russian President visits Kyrgyzstan

Also on October 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kyrgyzstan on his first foreign trip since the International Criminal Court in The Hague (Netherlands) issued an arrest warrant for the leader in March.

The Kremlin chief has rarely left Russia since the launch of the special military operation in Ukraine. According to official information, Mr. Putin has not left Russia after the ICC's arrest warrant.

On September 25, Russia announced that it had put Judge Piotr Hofmanski, President of the ICC, on the wanted list, six months after the court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President.

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During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Putin attended a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Russia's Kant air base on the outskirts of the capital Bishkek.

"This military base has made a significant contribution to upgrading Kyrgyzstan's defense capabilities and ensuring security and stability in the entire Central Asian region," the Russian leader said. He expected Moscow to continue strengthening military ties with Bishkek.

The visit also coincides with Kyrgyzstan hosting military exercises by the Russian-led military bloc.

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