Commander: Ukrainians regain some lost positions near Avdiivka amid Russian attacks

Intense Russian artillery strikes and reinforced assault battalions pressure Ukrainian lines near Avdiivka, though Ukraine's forces regain some lost ground amid ongoing defensive efforts, as per a Ukrainian commander.

Mar 2, 2024 - 13:01

Commander: Ukrainians regain some lost positions near Avdiivka amid Russian attacks

Near Donetsk Oblast’s Avdiivka, Russian troops are intensifying artillery shelling and deploying more assault groups, while the Ukrainians conduct defensive operations and, in some areas, regain lost positions, according to General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria Operational and Strategic Grouping, as reported on Telegram on 1 March.

As the Ukrainian troops have recently withdrawn from besieged Avdiivka after several months of intense fighting, Russia is trying to push further west while the Ukrainians are building a new line of defense.

Situation near Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, as of 1 March 2024. Map: deepstatemap

“In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy is increasing the intensity of artillery shelling, has a significant advantage in ammunition, is increasing the number of assault groups – up to a battalion tactical group, and is deploying new reserves, thus having some local successes. At the same time, the operational situation is dynamic,” Tarnavskyi wrote, noting that Ukrainians continue defensive operations, restore lost positions in some unspecified areas, and establish additional division positions, firing positions, and observation posts.

Tarnavskyi says over the past day, the Ukrainian forces repelled 25 Russian attacks in the Avdiivka direction, 30 attacks in the Novopavlivka direction, and one attack in the Orikhiv direction.

In total, over the past day in the area of the Tavria Operational and Strategic Grouping, there were 36 Russian airstrikes, 56 combat engagements, 1,074 instances of shelling, and 118 kamikaze drone strikes, the commander says.

According to General Tarnavskyi, the Russians suffered a total of 319 casualties, including killed and wounded personnel, and lost five tanks, 13 armored combat vehicles, two artillery systems, 11 vehicles, two air defense systems, and three units of special equipment.