Ukrainian forces stop Russian attempt to advance on Vuhledar front – Zelensky

The Russian forces tried to advance on the Vuhledar front in the Donetsk region, but Ukrainian soldiers stopped the invaders and caused significant enemy losses in troops and equipment.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he was holding a daily selector meeting, where he received information about the situation at the front.

"There was an attempt to advance in the Vuhledar axis, but our soldiers stopped it, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy: dozens of vehicles, many killed and wounded," Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian defenders continue defensive operations in Avdiivka, where they repel attacks by Russian troops. The Ukrainian soldiers are also conducting offensive operations in the south of the country.

"The Ministry of Defense reported on the deliveries of shells, missiles, and equipment and intelligence reports on the situation at the front, international arena, and in Russia," the president added.

Situation in the Avdiivka area

The Russian invaders weakened their attacks on the Avdiivka front. The Russians regroup but do not retreat.

"The number of assaults there (in Avdiivka, ed.) decreased somewhat," said Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesperson for the southern grouping, Tavria. "In the Tavria direction, the enemy carried out 14 airstrikes, conducted 30 combat clashes, and carried out 959 attacks. Another Su-25 attack jet was shot down in the Donetsk region. The enemy continues to try to surround Avdiivka, but it is not so active at the moment because it has to make up for losses and regroup to be able to continue."

According to the spokesman, the Russian occupiers carried out offensive actions in the districts of Severne and Pervomaiske but without success. In this direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled seven enemy attacks during the day.

Also, as Shtupun noted, the Russians tried to break through the Ukrainian defenses in the Maryinka area. Here, the defense forces repelled more than 20 attacks in one day.

After the so-called "lull," a new escalation is recorded in Avdiivka. The Russians do not stop trying to capture the city.

Due to the worsening situation on the front line around Avdiivka, the supply of humanitarian aid to the city is currently suspended, but the city reserves will last for three months.

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.

British intelligence claims that active assaults by occupying forces in the Avdiivka front have led to a 90% increase in Russian losses in the war against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence believes that Avdiivka is the gateway to Donetsk and the entire Donetsk region. The intelligence also published an audio recording where the Russian occupier complained that they were being driven to Vuhledar "into this meat grinder." The intervener said that the Russian armed forces were unsuccessful there and suffered significant troop losses.