War in Ukraine
Russian troops gain ground near Avdiivka
A Ukrainian soldier during a battle in Avdiivka. photo
© LIBKOS/AP/dpa
In the contested eastern Ukraine, Russian units made progress near Avdiivka, while Ukrainian troops had to withdraw.
During the fighting in eastern Ukraine, Russian troops near the industrial city Avdiivka gained terrain. According to Ukrainian military observers, Ukrainian units have had to partially withdraw from the industrial area southeast of the city.
Russian sources had already reported this last weekend. Official confirmations were initially not available. The front line between government troops and separatists supported by Moscow has been running in the industrial area since 2014.
Smaller territorial gains were also made by Russian troops northwest of Avdiivka near the village of Stepove. The Ukrainian units are still threatened with encirclement. The garrison of the heavily destroyed city can only be supplied with supplies via a narrow corridor of less than seven kilometers. Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for over 21 months.