The Russians advanced to one position north of Avdiivka and part of the village of Vodiane to the south. They paid a heavy price for this.
Under the blows of Ukrainian troops, the Russian command was forced to call off the assault because they could not withstand the high rate of losses; the infantry in the assault battalions and the armored support vehicles were too battered to continue. They are preparing for Ukrainian counterattacks and concentrating their reserves to create an advantage in two areas:
1. North of Avdiivka at Stepove-Berdychi, to cut off the main road to the city.
2. South of Avdiivka to Vodyane, the air defense unit known as Zenit will create a threat to cover Avdiivka from the south and try to turn the front towards Nevelske.
The enemy has advanced in both directions, and further advancement will pose a severe threat of destabilizing the front near Donetsk. However, the Ukrainian command is aware of the danger.
Ukraine has shown that it has the strength to defend the city
We have serious trump cards to turn the tide in Avdiivka in our favor. The enemy's advanced positions are very vulnerable. We have at least two brigades in the area that have an undeniable advantage over the enemy in terms of combat control. Thus, the 110th Brigade, provided it is replenished in time, as the repulsed assault showed, is ready to repel direct attacks by the enemy, who outnumbers it 3-4 times.
It is essential to thank the 2nd Battalion of the Presidential Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, separate battalions of the 129th and 116th TRO Brigades, the 31st Mechanized Brigade, and special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine for repelling the assault on the city.
The 53rd Mechanized and 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade soldiers fought bravely to the city's south.
In general, there are opportunities to break the enemy near the city, to impose the initiative and a rate of losses that will make it impossible to hold these two directions from which Avdiivka is under threat.
The battle will be difficult. For Russia in Donbas, creating a controlled zone around Donetsk is crucial to use it as a communications and basing hub.
However, Ukraine has shown that it has the strength to defend the city and successfully crush Russian strike forces confidently.