After nine months of mostly stable front lines,
Ukrainian forces experienced a setback with the fall of the eastern city of Avdiivka into Russian hands earlier in February after enduring months of devastating attacks.
Due to Russia's continued offensive and its own dwindling munitions, Ukrainian troops were compelled to evacuate several neighboring settlements to Avdiivka.
The progress of a crucial aid package from the U.S. has been hindered by Republicans in Congress.
Oleksandr Pavliuk, recently appointed as ground force commander during a significant military reshuffle, expressed in televised remarks, “
We will stabilize the situation shortly and do everything possible to prepare the troops for more active actions and to seize the initiative.”
He outlined that the current focus is on withdrawing military units that have lost their effectiveness and restoring them to form a force capable of counter-offensive actions later in the year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that
Russia is likely to launch a new offensive in the upcoming spring or summer, but assured that Kyiv has its own battlefield plan.
Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovyy stated on national television that Russian forces are currently unable to make advancements near Avdiivka and are instead concentrating their efforts on an area south, near the village of Novomykhailivka.
Maksym Zhorin, a Ukrainian commander in the region, confirmed that Russian forces are encountering difficulties in making progress since capturing Avdiivka and several neighboring villages. He noted that their latest target is the village of Orlivka.
“They are persistently attempting to advance and make progress wherever feasible,” Zhorin wrote on Telegram. “Despite substantial losses, they continue to launch assaults, both day and night.”
