According to information from various sources, including residents of Avdiivka and volunteers, the BBC confirms that a group of Russian soldiers has successfully infiltrated the outskirts of the city. They settled in private houses and are trying to consolidate their position.
According to sources, Russian soldiers were spotted on Soborna, Chernyshevsky and Sportivna streets, reports BBC correspondent Abdudzhalil Abdurasulov from Kyiv.
This area is located in the southern part of the city, not far from the immediate contact line, which has remained unchanged since 2014.
The head of Avdiivka's military administration, Vitaly Barabash, told the BBC that only a small subversive and intelligence group penetrated the city, and not large military units.
"Yes, indeed, they penetrated - DRG, but these are not serious military units with a large composition. They have achieved some success, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in control of "Tsarska Okhota" and Soborna Street, which they talk about in all their reports," Barabash noted.
According to BBC military commentator Ilya Abishev, Ukraine is repelling attacks in one of the hottest spots on the front, where a massive assault on the Avdiiv fortified area in the northern suburbs of Donetsk has been ongoing since last October.
From the beginning of the operation, the Russian troops managed to advance several kilometers from the flanks, but they failed to fulfill the main task - to reach the main supply route and surround the city. The offensive began to drag on, despite constant attacks from various directions.
For a long time, the Ukrainian command assessed the situation in this direction as difficult, but stable. However, at the beginning of the week, the situation in the Avdiivka region worsened. Russian troops successfully stormed Ukrainian defenses from the south, removing the Armed Forces of Ukraine from strongholds near the "Tsarske polyuvaya" recreation base and starting battles on the southern outskirts of the city.
This part of Avdiyivka, which consists of small private houses, is subjected to artillery shelling, which leads to their gradual destruction and complicates long-term protection.
With the continuation of military operations, the "gray zone" expands - the territory that loses control from both sides of the conflict. Usually this zone falls under the control of the side that has the initiative.
According to the reports of the participants of the events, the Ukrainian forces carried out successful counterattacks on the southern front of Avdiyivka, pushing back the actively advancing Russian troops.
The power structures of both sides are failing reserves, and heavy fighting continues. It is too early to talk about the results of these clashes.
The "9th quarter" microdistrict, where Russian assault units are trying to break through, is of key importance for the defense of Avdiyivka. This complex of 9-story buildings, which was captured, will be tantamount to the occupation of strategically important heights.
"If the enemy captures the 9th Quarter, holding the entire city will become tactically unprofitable," noted Yuriy Butusov, head of the "Censor.Net" website. The capture of these buildings will allow the enemy to install drone control antennas and Kornet ATGMs, providing aerial photography and targeting on all roads of the city, similar to what happened during the capture of Bakhmut.
From the flanks of the Avdiiv fortified area, the situation remains unchanged, attacks and counterattacks continue with variable success, and although the front line may change slightly, it happens imperceptibly.
According to information from the scene, the Russian command intends to develop success on the southern front of Avdiyivka and is probably preparing for a new massive assault on the southern outskirts, as evidenced by the movement of tank formations and a large number of prisoners from the "Storm-Z" and " Storm V".
