The industrial center in the eastern Donetsk region became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance when it was briefly occupied by pro-Russian forces in 2014.
„[Rusų pajėgos] are not only fighting for the factory, they have not given up their plans to encircle Avdijivka,” Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun told state media.
According to him, Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian attacks on a large chemical plant and are still in control of the facility.
He said that Russian forces are constantly shelling Avdijivka with artillery and warplanes, and that two civilians were killed in the bombardment late Thursday.
“The bodies are now under the ruins,” O. Štupun said.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials said they were preparing for a third wave of attacks by Russian forces that began storming the city about a month ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week described Avdiyivka as one of the hottest sectors of the front.
Nine years of fighting almost completely destroyed Avdijivka. Although the city is under daily artillery fire, about 1,500 of the 30,000 people who lived there before the war still remain. They mostly hide in basements turned into hideouts.
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2024-09-24 05:25:15
