Russia sees ‘highest casualty rates’ of year so far around Avdiivka (UK)

Russian forces suffered huge military losses during the offensive on Avdiivka, according to two assessments released Saturday of the fighting for the city in the eastern Donetsk region.

Avdiivka is considered the gateway to the city of Donetsk, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014. Since around October 9, Russia has intensified its attacks in an attempt to encircle Avdiivka, but has suffered heavy casualties. and in material, according to numerous reports.

British defense officials said Russia was likely to commit elements of up to eight brigades to the sector, which “is likely to have suffered one of Russia’s highest casualty rates so far in 2023.” . News week emailed the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.

The British MOD Saturday update also highlighted how Russian military bloggers had been highly critical of Russian tactics in the operation, which suggested that Moscow’s main military-political challenge remained the same as during most of the war .

“Political leaders are demanding the seizure of more territory, but the military cannot generate effective offensive action at the operational level,” the update said.

This comes as Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a phone call with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Russia lost around 4,000 troops at Avdiivka.

During the interview, Umerov also called for additional supply of ATACMS (army tactical missile systems) to target military infrastructure and command posts “in the depths of the enemy in the Ukrainian territories occupied,” according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Saturday. .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Russia had lost at least one brigade while trying to capture Avdiivka. A Russian army brigade can consist of between 2,000 and 8,000 troops, according to open sources.

Separately, the day before, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Russian forces had suffered thousands of casualties and lost at least 125 armored vehicles during the operation. News week has not yet been able to verify these figures.

Kirby also said Russian forces executed those who refused to follow orders toward Avdiivka, as well as Russian commanders threatening to shoot entire units if they retreated from Ukrainian artillery fire.

Separately, on Friday, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Russia could not confirm any advances, while Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had repelled more than 20 assaults Russians to the north and west of the city.

Moscow sources described Russian morale near Avdiivka as low. A Russian military blogger said this was the cause of his country’s failures at the start of the new offensive near Avdiivka.