In a recent combat video released by Ukraine's military, the Special Operations Forces (SSO) showcased the destruction of Russian tanks and armor, underscoring the escalating toll of Moscow's renewed assaults in the eastern regions. The footage captures the SSO's successful defense of the city of Avdiivka, surrounded on three sides by Russian-occupied territory.

According to the SSO, they detected Russian armor heading towards Avdiivka and swiftly responded using a combination of first-person view (FPV) drones, US-provided Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, and mortars. The SSO claims to have destroyed four armored personnel carriers, two tanks, and an unspecified number of soldiers in their counterstrikes. However, the details of the video and the extent of Moscow's losses have yet to be independently verified by Insider.

The intense combat footage shows a series of explosions around the Russian armor force as they attempt to navigate through open fields. At one point, an armored vehicle collides with another, causing both to be engulfed in a fireball. The video was posted by the SSO on messaging platform Telegram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that Russia had launched a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine, including the areas around Avdiivka and Lyman, over several days preceding October 13. Implicit in this offensive is Russian President Vladimir Putin's persistent goal of conquering Ukrainian territory.

Kirby further highlighted Russia's use of "human wave tactics," which involve deploying poorly trained and equipped soldiers onto the battlefield without adequate preparation, a strategy seen in the brutal fighting during the past winter. He commended Ukraine for its brave, effective, and strategic resistance to these offensive maneuvers.

Experts at the Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia has already lost dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the initial days of its assault around Avdiivka. Ukrainian military officials also disclosed Russian aircraft losses, suggesting that Moscow is incurring significant costs to sustain its fight in the area.

Ukraine's SSO affirmed on Telegram that despite relentless Russian offensive actions and attempts to surround Avdiivka, Kyiv has managed to firmly defend the area and inflict considerable losses on Moscow's forces, particularly through the recent destruction of armor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards the Ukrainian soldiers who continue to stand their ground and destroy the occupier day after day. He highlighted the impressive losses suffered by Russia and emphasized that this is precisely the kind of setback Ukraine needs to counter the occupier.

In a separate development, Ukraine unveiled its new arsenal of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) received secretly from the US. The ATACMS was used to strike two Russian airbases, resulting in the destruction of several helicopters and publicly showcasing Ukraine's military capabilities. Intelligence sources suggest that this attack may inflict lasting damage on Russia's airpower and force Moscow to withdraw key bases and logistics hubs from the front lines.

As Ukraine perseveres in defense against Russia's renewed offensive, the international community closely observes the mounting casualties and material losses suffered by the Russian forces. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and the situation remains fraught with tension and uncertainty in the region.