Ukrainian Armed Forces / Illustrative photo
The deceleration in the Russian offensive around Avdiivka can be attributed to key factors, primarily the resilience of the Ukrainian army and the diminishing stamina of the enemy. Simultaneously, the occupiers continue to exert pressure along the entire frontline.
Anatoliy Nikitin, junior sergeant of the BpAK battalion, 3rd Separate Mechanised Brigade, shared insights on Hromadske Radio. He emphasized that reports of a slowdown in the Russian occupiers’ offensive are only partially accurate, suggesting that analysts making such claims may be detached from the actual battlefield. However, he acknowledged that the offensive potential of the occupiers in the Avdiivka area has indeed weakened.
«What we see is the final stage of this operation on the part of the Russians. From now on, the initiative will be on our side», — Nikitin stated
According to him, the primary factors contributing to the slowdown are the tenacity of the Ukrainian army and the depletion of the enemy’s resources.
«The Russians are applying pressure across the entire frontline, from Bakhmut and southwards. They have amassed significant forces in the Horlivka and Donetsk agglomerations, exerting pressure north of Horlivka and south of Donetsk. It is challenging to pinpoint increased intensity near a specific village, given their ability to shift reserves dynamically. Combat operations are fluid and complex», — explained Nikitin.
As of the morning of March 11, the losses of Russian troops and mercenaries in Ukraine totaled approximately 424,980. In the past day alone, Ukrainian defenders neutralized at least 920 Russian occupants.