Russian forces have raised their flag in parts of Avdiivka, Donetsk, following a rapid retreat by Ukrainian troops who have been defending the town for a decade. The Ukrainian army, under the command of new chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, is facing intense pressure along the 1000-kilometer frontline bordering Russia. The Russians have exploited vulnerabilities in the exhausted Ukrainian units, launching attacks in various regions including Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Mariinka, and Kupiansk.

In a recent military report, the Ukrainian General Staff detailed that the Russians carried out 13 missile strikes and 104 air strikes in a single day, targeting both military positions and residential areas. The Ukrainians are struggling to prevent the Russians from further expanding their control, with fighting intensifying in various sectors such as Lyman-Kupiansk and Robotyne.

Despite the Russians gaining ground in Avdiivka and nearby Mariinka, the Ukrainians are attempting to establish new defensive positions to hold off further advances. The destruction caused by Russian artillery and air strikes has left Ukrainian forces with limited cover, making them vulnerable to relentless assaults.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that for every Ukrainian soldier lost in Avdiivka, seven Russians are being killed. The Ukrainian military claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the Russian side, including over 20,000 personnel, 199 tanks, and 481 armored combat vehicles in the region between January 1 and February 15.

As the conflict escalates, the Russians are deploying significant resources, including artillery, armor, and airpower, to maintain their offensive. With Ukraine facing a shortage of weapons and munitions due to delays in receiving aid, the Russian military continues to press on with its aggressive tactics, posing a formidable challenge to the Ukrainian forces on the frontlines.