>>20431157 (PB)
The End Of The Avdeevka CauldronFeb. 16, 2024
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2024/02/the-end-of-the-avdeevka-cauldron.html
The small cauldron south ofAvdeevkaaround the 'Zenit' fortification, as seen in the Feb 15 map, has fallen. The Ukrainian military who fled from it under fire through open fields had to leave their wounded behind:
Both Russian and Ukrainian media reported Ukrainian troops had evacuated the formidable fortification network first built in 2014 following the Kremlin’s first invasion of Ukraine and improved since then. Ukrainian troops forced to fight their way out of a near-total encirclement in a bid to reach friendly lines had to abandon wounded and suffered casualties as they retreated, reports from both sides said.
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Viktor Bilyak, a member of 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 110th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the unit based at Zenit, in an Instagram post said higher command denied medical evacuation to wounded and six men of his 15-20 men section were abandoned to the Russians.
Another strong point, the Donetsk city water filtration plant east of Avdeevka has likewise fallen. Ukrainian troops retreated from it.
On Wednesday the 3rd separate assault brigade, an Azov neo-nazi unit, was ordered into the city. It found no prepared fortifications, was unprotected from artillery and aerial bombing and soon completely surrounded. After taking high losses in a short time frame the brigade command ordered to retreat from the central city:
The elite third Separate Assault Brigade, one of Ukraine’s most prominent fighting units, was deployed to the area in a bid to stabilise the situation.
Andrii Biletskyi, the brigade’s commander, said: “Avdiivka is hell.”
He described the situation as “precarious and unstable”, with the Russians constantly deploying fresh troops and resources to the fight.
“Our fighters demonstrate unprecedented heroism,” the commander wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “We are forced to fight at 360 degrees against new brigades that the enemy is setting up.”
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Russia has amassed some 50,000 troops on the front line between its forces and the Ukrainians defending Avdiivka, according to Dmytro Lykhoviy, the Ukrainian military spokesman.
“In Avdiivka, a manoeuvre is underway in some places to withdraw our units to more advantageous positions, in some places to force [the Russians] out of positions,” he added.
Units of the 3rd brigade filmed themselves leaving Avdeevka towards the west. Their U.S. made M113 'armored' aluminum can is driving at high speed and comes under fire. They are passing the 'Welcome to Avdeevka' sign which, in late December, was the background of Zelenski's selfie stunt at the west entrance to Avdeevka.