In an intense drive to capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Vladimir Putin’s forces have reportedly incurred substantial casualties, with over 400 casualties daily, according to statements from Kyiv. The Russian Army’s relentless push has compelled them to regroup as they face significant losses in this campaign.
Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson representing Ukraine’s southern groups of forces, explained the evolving dynamics on the ground, stating, “The enemy is trying to move forward and then we beat them back.” He emphasized that the situation remains highly fluid, marked by ongoing heavy fighting, although there has been a slight reduction in activity. The enemy, he noted, is currently undergoing a phase of regrouping.
Russian forces have been employing small assault groups comprised of 30 to 40 individuals in their efforts to capture Avdiivka, adding to the complexity of the situation.
In a separate development, the UK Ministry of Defence has reported that North Korea has shipped over 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia. This has the potential to establish North Korea as one of Russia’s significant foreign arms suppliers, alongside countries like Iran and Belarus.
Furthermore, on Wednesday, Vladimir Putin made a significant move by testing Russia’s capability to execute a massive retaliatory nuclear strike. As part of this demonstration, Russia withdrew from an international test ban treaty, raising concerns about the future implications of this decision on global security and stability.