Ukrainian military spokesman explains which settlements Russians target after capturing Avdiivka

Russia is sending large groups of troops to capture Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), as well as Heorhiivka, Pobieda and Krasnohorivka along the Novopavlivka front.

Source: Dmytro Lykhovii, the spokesman for the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group, on the air of the joint national 24/7 newscast, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Details: Lykhovii said that Russian troops are also attacking from both sides of the Robotyne salient, but they are not successful.

Quote: "Novopavlivka, located west of Marinka, is the most active sector of the front. After Ukrainian troops left Avdiivka, the enemy focused their main efforts there. In particular, they are sending large groups of troops to capture the villages of Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, as well as Heorhiivka and Pobieda, and Krasnohorivka (near Marinka). Twenty-seven Russian assault attempts were recorded there yesterday."

Details: Lykhovii added that the Russians are acting in a "slightly strange way" on the Orikhiv front. "They occasionally gather basic resources for a major attack, such as armoured columns made up of dozens of pieces of equipment. They are destroyed during this attack, and then they proceed with the usual tactics of small assault groups, sometimes with the use of armoured vehicles that transport infantry to the centre of the village Robotyne," Lykhovii explains.

He noted that Ukrainian Armed Forces have fire control over Robotyne. "Yes, the enemy does not stop trying. This, presumably, is the political goal: to keep going in this area. This is the territory de-occupied by Ukrainian Defense Forces during last summer's offensive campaign. This is likely to be a critical issue for the Russians. That is why they throw significant reserves and resources at Robotyne, fighting for it like there's no tomorrow. They suffer significant losses there, but they do not abandon their efforts."

Lykhovii emphasised that Robotyne is still under Ukrainian control, even though there is "nothing to cling to, it is not suitable for fortification".

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