Russian offensive targets five separate areas
Russia's aggressive offensive has fragmented into five main fronts following the capture of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, placing Ukrainian ground forces in what may be their most precarious position since the full-scale invasion began, The New York Times reported on Feb. 17.
Moscow's forces are pressing forward in key areas, targeting Avdiivka, Maryinka, Bakhmut, and the vicinities of Robotyne and Kreminna, spreading their offensive across the eastern and southern fronts in Ukraine.
The fall of Avdiivka represents a victory for Russia, the first since it seized Bakhmut in May 2023. This could allow Russian troops to more efficiently deploy forces and hardware, bolstering its offensive capability on multiple fronts, the NYT said.
After two years of relentless shelling and combat, little remains of Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast. Its capture facilitates a Russian pivot southward to Vuhledar, another Ukrainian defense point.
As Russian units push toward Vuhledar from the north, their progress through the village of Novomykhailivka is noted. Although the full extent of Russian military presence in this sector is unclear, Ukrainian authorities estimate around 40,000 troops are staged near the occupied city of Mariupol, poised for further advances.
The publication also notes Russia's "determination" to seize the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, which Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated during last summer’s counteroffensive.
Russia's campaign extends to Kreminna, Luhansk oblast, where it seeks to regain control over areas lost in late 2022. Despite fierce Ukrainian resistance, Russian forces are slowly advancing. Russian advances are being made from Kreminna in two directions: north towards the destroyed city of Kupiansk and towards Lyman.
Russia is "gaining momentum" on the Bakhmut front, the NYT says, with the initiative seemingly shifting to the Russian invaders.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces had withdrew from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 17, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed.The decision was made to avoid encirclement and to save the lives and health of the soldiers, he said.
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