Ukrainian forces show strong defense of Avdiivka, eliminating 450 Russian troops over the past day – Ground Forces spokesperson

Ukrainian troops are holding strong in the Avdiivka sector in Donetsk region, says the Commander of the Tavria Forces Group Oleksandr Tarnavsky.

Russian forces carried out eight air strikes, clashed in 51 combat engagements and conducted 974 artillery attacks.

Total enemy losses in this area amounted to 456 troops, and one soldier surrendered.

Ukrainian forces also destroyed 19 pieces of military equipment, including one tank, three armored vehicles, two artillery systems, 12 drones and one unit of special equipment.

"At the same time, an offensive operation is underway on the Melitopol front," the commander stressed.

UK intelligence noted that over the past week, the most intense ground fighting took place in three areas of the frontline and neither side made any progress, but Russian troops in near Avdiivka suffered particularly heavy losses.

On 17 November, Ukrainian forces eliminated over 600 troops, bringing the total losses of Russian troops since the start of the full-scale war to more than 317,300 soldiers.

The marine units, along with other structures of continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River, where they repelled 12 enemy attacks over the past day.

On the night of 18 November, Russian troops attacked Ukrainian regions with 38 attack drones: air defense forces downed 29 enemy targets.