For nine years, Ukrainian forces holed up behind solid fortifications, particularly in the south, whose last suburbs are just 5 km from those of Donetsk, the Russiancontrolled capital of the region of the same name.
The city marks the front line in this region and symbolizes the Ukrainian resistance. In early October, Moscow forces launched a major offensive to encircle and conquer the country.
“Tank columns and armored personnel carriers advanced, but jumped into minefields, were hit by Ukrainian drones or antitank missiles,” states “Trauma”, his military name, 29 years old, drone operator in the 47th brigade.
According to a recently interviewed Western source, the Russian army lost more than 200 armored vehicles in these attacks, with Ukrainian losses being “significantly lower” than those of the Russians in the area.
After the October attacks, Kiev’s forces were forced to give in, but their defenses held firm.
Since then, especially in the northeast of Avdiivka, the Russians have “switched to infantry tactics and advanced exclusively at the expense of human forces,” says the battalion’s deputy commander.