On the night of May 3-4, Russian troops strategically moved to the northwest of Avdiyivka near the village of Arkhangelske after the retreat of the Defense Forces of Ukraine from this area. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to trade territory for time, while Russian forces are trying to use the time gap before the arrival of military aid from the West.
Russian troops demonstrated their advance in a video released by a Russian military blogger, where soldiers of the "Lavina" battalion of the 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Army Corps "DNR") raised the flag in the village of Arkhangelsk. ISW has established the geographical reference of this video recording to the northern part of the village. Additional geolocation data showed that Russian troops advanced on the eastern outskirts of Arkhangelsk.
ISW suggests that Russia's capture of this village may indicate that Russian forces are most likely in control of Keramik and Novokalynove (both southeast of Arkhangelsk). At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are retreating from the northern part of Arkhangelsk, while Russian troops claim that they entered the village after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.
ISW analysis shows that Russian forces are trying to use the tactical situation northwest of Avdiivka to secure an advantage. However, the purpose of their offensive on this part of the front remains unknown.
The report also notes that Russian forces have already deployed significant forces to the front line northwest of Avdiivka and are continuing to move additional troops into the area. This decision is probably aimed at ensuring a further offensive.
ISW believes Russian forces have decided to take advantage of a window of opportunity northwest of Avdiivka, but their next tactical steps remain unclear.
