Russian and Ukrainian forces fought fierce battles around the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka on Thursday after Moscow launched one of its biggest military offensives in months.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces were holding their ground on the third day of battle, but municipal officials said the Russian attacks were relentless.Moscow has redirected many soldiers and large amounts of equipment to the Avdiivka area, showing it can hit back over four months into a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east and south that has encountered stiff Russian resistance.
Vitaliy Barabash, head of the city military administration, told Ukrainian television: "The enemy does not stop storming, they come from all directions." Ukrainian forces had been defending Avdiivka since long before last year's full-scale invasion, holding the line against Russian-backed militants who took control of territory in east Ukraine in 2014 after Russian forces seized Crimea.
Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern group of forces, said Russia saw Avdiivka as an opportunity to win a significant victory and "turn the tide of fighting". But encircling Avdiivka was likely to require more forces than Russia has committed to its offensive, it said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukrainian troops 'holding ground' in eastern town of AvdiivkaPresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Ukrainian troops were holding their ground in the eastern town of Avdiivka, where fighting with Russian forces has intensified this week.
Read more »
Russia Suffering Colossal Tank, Armor Losses in 'Kamikaze' Avdiivka AssaultVideos circulating on social media showed what has been described as a 'Russian kamikaze attempt' to take Avdiivka.
Read more »
Zelenskyy: Troops 'Holding Ground' in Eastern Town of AvdiivkaPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday Ukrainian troops were holding their ground in the eastern town of Avdiivka, where fighting with Russian forces has intensified this week.
Read more »
Ukraine President Zelenskyy at NATO defense ministers meeting seeking more support to fight RussiaUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at NATO for meetings with alliance defense ministers to further drum up support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. The U.S. is hosting a meeting of the Ukraine contact group to seek more weapons and ammunition for the war-ravaged country. NATO allies and partner countries will be waiting to hear precisely what kinds of military equipment Kyiv needs. The 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The f
Read more »
Queen Hereafter Offers a Fierce Origin Story for One of Shakespeare’s Most Famous WomenQueen Hereafter deftly mixes Shakespearean fiction with historical fact to put Lady Macbeth firmly at the center of her own story,
Read more »
IOC suspends Russian Olympic Committee for incorporating Ukrainian sports regionsThe Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended by the IOC for breaching the Olympic Charter by incorporating sports bodies in four regions in eastern Ukraine. IOC spokesman Mark Adams says the move by the Russian Olympic Committee on Oct. 5 violated the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian Olympic body.
Read more »