Russian forces infiltrate the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, sparking a critical battle stage

"Taking advantage of overcast weather and limited capabilities for high-quality aerial reconnaissance, Russian assault units entered the city from the northeast, from the direction of the quarry. They outflanked Ukrainian military formations and secured positions inside buildings. This implies that they are a mere few hundred yards away from the key logistical lifeline of the Ukrainian defenders," Caplijenko reported.

Contacting Ukrainian army sources, Caplijenko informs that the situation is "not completely dire." "Given the availability of infantry reserves experienced in urban warfare, the Russian incursion can still be repelled, similar to what was achieved two weeks prior in the Tsarskaya Okhota and Sobornaya Street areas (in the southern part of Avdiivka). Indeed, the outcome of the battle for Avdiivka now hinges on this critical juncture," he concluded.

The Russian offensive on Avdiivka has been ongoing for the past four months.

Caplijenko, born in 1968, is a seasoned Ukrainian journalist and war correspondent. Over his career, he has covered conflicts in Africa and Asia, including the war in Afghanistan. Since 2014, his reporting has focused on the Russian-Ukrainian battles. In 2022, he was wounded during a Russian bombing raid near Chernihiv.