Ukrainian forces stop Russian advance near eastern city of Avdiivka

Soldiers of Ukraine's National Guard stopped the attempts of the Russian forces to advance near Avdiiivka in the eastern Donetsk region.

Ukrainian defenders destroyed the Russian equipment approaching the Ukrainian-controlled area, Rubryka reports, referring to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Eastern grouping spokesperson, Illia Yevlash.

With the support of tanks and armored vehicles, Russian troops had intensified the offensive on the Avdiivka front, the ministry reported.

In turn, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed six pieces of Russian equipment in one day, striking two tanks, three armored personnel carriers, and an armored combat vehicle.

"The [Ukrainian] fighters stopped the enemy's attempt to advance, causing losses in manpower," the interior ministry added. "Our defenders repelled the attacks and prevented the loss of positions." 

Spokesperson Yevlash also said that Russian troops were increasing the number of airstrikes in the Lyman-Kupiansk axis — the Luhansk front.

"We have recently recorded 23 airstrikes — it's 20 more airstrikes than in the past day. The enemy continues to increase intensity on this front," Yevlash said. "The main goal is to capture Kupiansk, a rather important logistics hub due to its railway. But the next goal is to break through the land corridor and disconnect our component to the Oskil River." 

The Eastern grouping spokesperson noted that the Lymansk-Kupiansk axis was in a certain lull before, but during the past week, the Russian forces resumed offensive actions.

"We first saw isolated cases when mostly Storm Z troops attacked. Now we see more serious actions," he added.

What we know about Russian offensive near Avdiivka

The Russian occupiers shell and bomb the cities and villages of the Donetsk region daily. Front-line towns in the region, and even those located in the relative rear, are constantly under attack.

The Ukrainian military reported earlier that the Russians intensified their offensive in the Avdiivka area using armored vehicles.

On Tuesday, the Russian forces allegedly launched an offensive on several areas of the eastern front at once and are constantly shelling Avdiivka and other populated areas.

The General Staff confirmed that in the area of responsibility of the Tavria grouping on the Avdiivka axis, up to three Russian battalions, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, intensified the offensive near Avdiivka, Tonenke, Keramika, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region. 

The Tavria operational-strategic group spokesperson stated that Ukrainian soldiers repelled all Russian attacks without losing lines and positions.