Fighting around the devastated town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine has become fiercer, according to the Ukrainian army.
Russian forces intensify their aerial bombardments and attempt to advance with ground forces in the Avdiivka region.
The Institute for the Study of War says Russian forces have made gains in their offensive operations near Avdiivka.
The think tank says: Geotagged images released on November 10 show that Russian forces have recently advanced to the eastern outskirts of Stepove, 3 km north of Avdiivka.
Avdiivka has become one of the most intense fighting hotspots in Ukraine. The Ukrainian chief of staff declared on Monday that Russian troops continued to try to surround the city, without success.
The Avdiivka coking plant, located between Stepove and Avdiivka, remains one of the key objectives for Russian forces. Its capture would allow them to entrench themselves in defensive positions around the installation.
Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who leads Ukrainian troops fighting in and around Avdiivka, said on Sunday that attacking Russian forces were stepping up airstrikes, particularly those using guided bombs.
