Ukraine sends iron fist brigade to 'second Bakhmut'

The 47th Brigade, nicknamed the "Iron Fist" of Ukraine, withdrew from the Zaporizhzhia front and reinforced the city of Avdeevka, which was under attack by Russia.

A video shared on Twitter by OSINTtechnical, an account that monitors the war situation in Ukraine, on October 31 shows a Leopard 2A6 main battle tank of the 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade moving in an area near the city of Avdeevka in Donetsk province.

Ukraine sends iron fist brigade to 'second Bakhmut' — Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tanks move near Avdeevka in a video released on October 31. Video: *Twitter/OSINTtechnical*

In the video, a Ukrainian soldier films himself as a Leopard 2A6 drives past. The Ukrainian tank has been fitted with cage armor on the sides of the turret and a steel plate on the front of the vehicle, apparently to protect against suicide drones and anti-tank guided missiles.

The Russian 114th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, which is fighting in Avdeevka, released drone footage on the same day, showing a Leopard 2A6 tank hit by a missile in the engine compartment and on fire. At least one M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle was also destroyed while deployed on this front.

The Russian Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian military have not commented on this information.

The 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade, established in April 2022, is one of nine new brigades built by Ukraine according to Western standards, trained abroad and equipped with NATO-standard equipment. This unit is nicknamed the "iron fist" of the Ukrainian army, equipped with the most modern equipment in service, including Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks and Bradley armored vehicles.

The 47th Brigade assumed the main counterattack in Zaporizhzhia province from the beginning of June, achieving some successes such as recapturing the strategic village of Rabotino at the end of August. However, the brigade also suffered heavy losses and internal conflicts, forcing them to retreat to the rear to consolidate their formation, leaving the attack in Zaporizhzhia to the 33rd Brigade.

The Ukrainian army deployed the 47th Brigade to Avdeevka as Russian forces increased pressure and captured key heights north of the city.

Location of the city of Avdeevka in Donetsk region. Graphics: RYV — Location of the city of Avdeevka in Donetsk region. Graphics: *RYV*

Avdeevka is a key town north of the regional capital of Donetsk, with a population of around 30,000 before the fighting began. The city is currently controlled by Ukrainian forces and has been one of the targets of Russian military attacks in the region. Moscow controls the city's north, south and east, leaving Kiev only able to approach the city from the west.

The Ukrainian army has been strengthening its defenses in Avdeevka since 2014 after fighting with separatist militias in Donetsk Oblast. However, representatives of the Ukrainian combat group in Avdeevka admit that Russian forces are trying to encircle the city and that it could become a "second Bakhmut".

Vu Anh (According to Forbes, DNR News )

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