Battle for Avdiivka: situation on October 18
After the failure of the assault on 10-14 October, Russian troops consolidated several captured positions. The Russians advanced one position north of Avdiivka and part of the village of Vodiane south of Avdiivka. They paid a heavy price for this.
Under the blows of Ukrainian troops, the Russian command was forced to call off the assault because they could not sustain the high rate of losses, and the infantry in the assault battalions and the armored support vehicles were effectively knocked out. They are preparing for Ukrainian counterattacks and concentrating their reserves to create an advantage in such areas:
1. North of Avdiivka at Stepove-Berdychi, to cut the main highway to the city.
2. South of Avdiivka to Vodyane and the air defense unit known as "Zenit" to create a threat to cover Avdiivka from the south and try to turn the front towards Nevelske.
The enemy advanced far in both directions.
And further advancement will pose a serious threat of destabilizing the frontline near Donetsk. However, the Ukrainian command is aware of the threat.
We have serious trump cards to turn the tide in Avdiivka in our favor. The enemy's advanced positions are very vulnerable. We have at least two brigades in the area that have an undeniable advantage over the enemy in terms of combat control. Thus, the 110th Brigade, provided it is replenished in time, as the repulsed assault showed, is ready to repel direct attacks by the enemy, who outnumbers it 3-4 times.
It is important to thank the 2nd Battalion of the Presidential Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, separate battalions of the 129th and 116th TRO Brigades, the 31st Mechanised Brigade, and special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine for repelling the assault on the city as part of the 110th Brigade.
Soldiers of the 53rd Mechanised and 59th Motorised Infantry Brigades fought bravely to the south of the city.
In general, there are opportunities near the city to break the enemy, to impose the initiative, and a rate of losses that will make it impossible to hold the two directions from which Avdiivka threatens to encircle.
The battle will be difficult. For Russia, it is important to create a controlled zone around Donetsk in Donbas to be able to use Donetsk as a major communication hub and a place of basing.
However, Ukraine has shown that it has the strength to confidently defend the city and successfully crush Russian strike forces.
