Russian forces attempt to block access to Avdiivka, impeding evacuation and humanitarian aid for locals
Constant Russian shelling of the road that leads to Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region complicates the evacuation and delivery of humanitarian aid to the city.
The head of the Avdiivka military administration, Vitalii Barabash, told Radio Svoboda that the logistics were "very difficult" because the 22 kilometers of the road are under fire "day and night," Rubryka reports.
"All the logistics is through one road. Of course, the enemy is trying to cut it," said Barabash. "The enemy is trying to keep it constantly under fire. If they have the opportunity and the weather allows, they launch Orlan drones and monitor the road. Any movement is a signal for them to open fire."
According to Barabash, the city could not have evacuation during the last three days, not because of the risks of shelling but because of people's reluctance to leave. As of the morning of October 23, 1,601 people remain in the city.
"Our community had a very bitter experience. When the village of Opytne, which belongs to our community, was partially occupied [by Russian forces], we were unable to bring humanitarian aid there or enter," the head of the administration said. "Our people know all about it. And even knowing the occupation experience does not persuade them to evacuate from the city. The locals simply say they hope that it will not come to that point, that our soldiers will drive [Russians] away as soon as possible, and it will be quieter in our community, and everything will be fine."
Situation near Avdiivka
After the so-called "lull," a new escalation is recorded in Avdiivka: the Russian forces do not stop trying to capture the city.
Because of the change on the front line around Avdiiivka, the supply of humanitarian aid to the city is currently suspended, but the reserves will last for three months.
Locals continue to evacuate the city in small groups, often under fire. For example, law enforcement officers were recently hit by cluster munitions in the Avdiiivka area. The Russians hit them with the Uragan multiple rocket launchers.
According to ISW military analysts, the first Russian offensive operation in the Avdiivka area on October 10 resulted in significant losses of Russian equipment. However, the Russian troops regrouped and started the offensive again.
On October 19, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, met with the command of the Ukrainian forces fighting with Russian troops in the Avdiivka area and discussed the next actions.
British intelligence reports that active assaults by Russian forces in the Avdiivka area have led to a 90% increase in losses in the Russian army in the war against Ukraine.
Avdiivka is the gateway to Donetsk and the entire Donetsk region. Despite the difficulties, the Ukrainian soldiers inflicted heavy losses on Russian troops and equipment.
