Analysts say Russian troops will likely have difficulty advancing west of Avdiivka toward prepared positions where Ukrainian forces are withdrawing.
Ukrainian forces will have to carry out counterattacks in order to leave Avdiivka in an orderly manner. Russia will try to interfere, but its efforts will only lead to further losses. This was reported by analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A new report says the Ukrainian Defense Forces may have to stabilize the front line by counterattacking in an area where Russian troops are trying to close the encirclement.
Analysts noted that Russian actions aimed at complicating the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka would lead to further losses.
“Russian forces will likely have difficulty advancing west of Avdiivka toward prepared positions where Ukrainian forces are withdrawing,” the report said.
ISW noted that the Russians are likely to suffer significant losses if they decide to attack the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces head-on in an open field.
Analysts noted that the capture of Avdiivka in itself will not bring any operational capabilities to the occupiers.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine leave Avdiivka: what is known
Let us recall that Ukrainian soldiers leave Avdiivka. The corresponding decision was made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Alexander Syrsky, in order to prevent encirclement by the enemy. The commander of the operational-strategic group of troops “Tavria” Alexander Tarnavsky reported a little later that, in accordance with the received order, the Ukrainian military had already left Avdiivka to previously prepared positions.
Also, Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, deputy commander of the 3rd Special Brigade Maxim Zhorin stated that in More than 4 thousand Russian invaders were killed in Avdeevka. According to him, Russian troops suffered noticeable losses.