After months of fierce fighting, Russian troops entered the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine for the first time, according to Ukrainian sources. However, they were repelled again, the city's mayor, Vitaly Barabasch, told the AFP news agency today.
“Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups entered the southern part of Avdiivka, but were expelled,” Barabash said. The situation remains “difficult, but under control”, said the mayor. “The enemy continues to attack.”
1,100 civilians still in Avdiivka
According to him, it was “the first time” that Russian forces entered the embattled industrial city in the Donetsk region. He did not say when or how long the Russian soldiers remained in Avdiivka. According to the mayor, there are still almost 1,100 civilians in the city, but no children.
Since October, Moscow has been trying to surround the city, which had around 32,000 residents before the war. According to Kiev, Ukrainian troops resisted.
Avdiivka, located in the Donetsk region, a few kilometers from the large city of the same name, became one of the main scenes of fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops.