Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun reported that Ukrainian forces are anticipating that russian forces will launch a third wave of assaults on Avdiivka and may soon intensify artillery preparations for the assaults.
"We are expecting the third wave of offensive - an attempt to encircle Avdiivka. We are waiting, preparing," he said on the national telethon on Saturday, November 18th.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Intensifies Attacks on Avdiivka in Bid to Encircle Key Town
Shtupun observed that russian forces have not actively used heavy military equipment in the Avdiivka direction over the past two days, have decreased aviation use in the area, and are increasingly using infantry.
Shtupun added that russian Storm and Storm-Z assault elements are continuing to suffer significant losses and only about 10 to 15 percent of some detachments’ original personnel remain.
According to the General Staff's report, the adversary’s offensive actions were unsuccessful in the east of Keramik, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 26x attacks.
General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the Commander of the OSGT Tavria also notes that "our defenders are firmly holding the defense in the Avdiivka direction."
During the past 24 hours, in the Tavria direction, the enemy carried out 10 airstrikes, 4 missile strikes, carried out 51 combat engagements and carried out 839 artillery barrages, Commander reported this on Telegram.
The total losses of the enemy amounted to 531 people in the past day. 36 units of military equipment were destroyed.
At the same time, Ukraine’s offensive operation continues in the Melitopol direction.
Read more: russian Military Lost BMP-1U IFVs Near Avdiivka, stolen in Georgia in 2008
