Positional fighting continues near Avdiivka Coke Plant – ISW

Positional fighting continues for the Avdiivka Coke Plant and near Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Stepove, Pervomaiske and Nevelske on the Avdiivka front.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance northwest of Avdiivka as positional fighting near Avdiivka continued on 1 and 2 January.

Geolocation footage released on 31 December indicated that Russian forces had advanced northwest of Stepove (north of Avdiivka).

On 1 and 2 January, one Russian military blogger claimed that Russian troops had advanced northwest of Avdiivka towards Berdychi and Ocheretne, while Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets stated on 2 January that Russian troops had retreated after initially advancing towards Berdychi.

Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that positional fighting continued northwest of Avdiivka near Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, near the Avdiivka Coke Plant and Stepove, southeast of Avdiivka near the industrial area, and southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske and Nevelske.  

Mashovets stated on 2 January that Stepove is a grey area at the moment.

He also noted that units of the 15th and 21st Motor Rifle Brigades (both 2nd Army Corps, Central Military District of the Russian Federation) and the 114th Motor Rifle Brigade (1st Army Corps of the "Donetsk People’s Republic", a non-recognised quasi-state formation) are operating north and northwest of Avdiivka, while units of the 239th Tank Regiment (90th Tank Division, 41st Army Corps, Central Military District of the Russian Federation) are concentrated northeast of Avdiivka.

Support UP or become our patron!