Ukrainian forces have pushed back Russian troops from the village of Orlivka, west of Avdiivka, but the situation on the eastern front remains difficult, Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday.
Orlivka lies less than two kilometers northwest of Lastochkyne, which was recently occupied by Russian forces.
This territory, west of Avdiivka, remains the focal point of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the British Ministry of Defense said in its latest update, adding that since the capture of Avdiivka, Russian forces advanced approximately six kilometers from the center of the city.
Their tactical gains mainly serve to consolidate Russian positions around Avdiivka. Russia is also likely seeking to gain momentum on the axis to take advantage of the fact that there are fewer fixed, well-defended positions and urban areas from which Ukrainian forces can defend themselves.
Ukrainian officials continue to report that Ukrainian forces have stabilized a defensive line immediately west of Avdiivka, particularly along the Tonenke-Orlivka-Berdychi line, where the terrain and several reservoirs are conducive to defensive operations.
Ukrainian military observers have referred to the Ukrainian fortifications west of Avdiivka as “disappointing” and of “problematic“.
The head of the Ukrainian army, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said he had taken steps to correct “some calculation errors“committed by the commanders, who”directly affected the stability of defense in certain areas“.
