Russia lost “at least a brigade” in its attempt to storm the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.
In a phone call with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the leader of Ukraine spoke about one of the frontline areas in which Russia is currently trying to extend its reach.
Avdiivka, located in the partially occupied region of Donetsk, has been under Russian fire since October 10 – but Ukrainian troops have so far managed to hold on to it, and reportedly at a great price for Moscow.
According to the president’s office, Mr Zelensky told Mr Sunak: “The invaders made several attempts to surround Avdiivka, but each time our soldiers stopped them and threw them back, causing painful losses. In these cases, the enemy lost at least a brigade.”
The size of brigades varies, but they normally count between 1,500 and 8,000 troops.
The claim has not been independently verified and Russia didn’t immediately comment.
But other sources have recently spoken about Vladimir Putin’s troops suffering heavy losses on the eastern front.
Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces spokesperson Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun stated that some 5,000 Russian soldiers had been killed and around 400 Russian armoured vehicles had been lost near Avdiivka and Marinka between October 10 and 26.
The Institute for the Study of the War (ISW) wrote in its latest assessment of the conflict in Ukraine: “Satellite imagery has confirmed that the Russian military has lost at least 109 military vehicles, primarily armoured fighting vehicles and tanks, near Avdiivka between October 10 and 20.”
The US think tank added losing key equipment around Avdiivka “will likely undermine Russian offensive capabilities over the long term”.
Russia’s attack on Avdiivka was described earlier this month by the UK Defence Ministry as the “most significant offensive operation” of Russia in Ukraine since January.
Retaining Avdiivka is of particular importance for Ukraine, not just to boost Ukrainian troops’ morale but also because it grants the invaded country artillery advantages over the city.
Moreover, the position could be used to launch an effort to liberate the region of Donetsk from Russian occupiers.
During his phone call this afternoon with Mr Zelensky, Mr Sunak stressed the UK remains committed to supporting Ukraine despite the ongoing war in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel.
Mr Sunak also argued “the principle of a rules-based order, in which people could live in peace and stability, needed to be protected both in Ukraine and the Middle East”.
