"Survival" challenge for new Commander-in-Chief in Avdiivka, Russia makes great progress, US says serious

Sources said on February 16 that the Russian army has continuously captured fortified positions on the southern flank of the city of Avdiivka, the focus of recent fighting in Ukraine.

Tình hình Avdiivka, Ukraine: Nga đạt bước tiến lớn, Mỹ nói nguy cơ rơi vào tay Moscow, Kiev rút quân

Image of Russian troops planting a flag near a stele at the western entrance to the Ukrainian frontline town of Avdiivka. (Source: Avia pro)

Russian sources said on February 16 that the country's army advanced on the southern flank of the city of Avdiivka, establishing control over two more fortified positions, "Cheburashka" and "Vinogradniki-2".

The Ukrainian Deep State portal confirmed the loss of the Cheburashka stronghold but said nothing about Vinogradniki-2.

Thus, within the past day or so, VS RF has captured the Zenit stronghold, the Donetsk water treatment plant (DFS), the car park, and planted a flag near the stele at the western entrance to Avdiivka - where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took a promotional photo when he inspected the city.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported on February 15 that Ukrainian soldiers said they had begun withdrawing from the city of Avdiivka and that it was only a matter of time before they were forced to abandon the city.

Currently, Ukraine only holds the ruined coke plant, which is the last Ukrainian stronghold in Avdiivka.

According to the newspaper, the battle for Avdiivka is considered a life-or-death test for the new Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian army, Oleksandr Syrsky. He will have to decide whether to hold the city or retreat.

The Washington Post assessed that the capture of Avdiivka would be Moscow's biggest victory after Ukraine's counter-offensive since last year and a sign that Russia is winning the war.

On the Ukrainian side, on February 16, AFP quoted an announcement from General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy in the East saying that fierce fighting had broken out in the frontline city of Avdiivka: "Our army is using all available forces and means to deal with it."

According to him, Ukraine continues to prepare new positions and solid infrastructure, taking into account all possible scenarios.

On the same day, TASS quoted the US National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby as saying that the city of Avdiivka was on the verge of being captured by the Russian Armed Forces.

"Unfortunately, we have received reports from Ukraine that the situation is very serious. With Moscow continuing to apply pressure every day, Avdiivka is at risk of falling under Russian control," the US official said.

Source