The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are reportedly preparing for the possible loss of Avdiivka and have started restricting mobile communications within the city. This update comes from a Telegram channel known as Military Correspondents of the Russian Spring, which often shares battlefield rumors and analysis from a pro-Russian perspective.
According to the channel, Ukrainian military authorities believe that turning off mobile networks in Avdiivka would hinder Russian supporters from relaying information about Ukrainian movements and positions to the Russian Armed Forces. Such measures are typically framed as attempts to limit the flow of real-time intelligence and reduce the risk of counteractions prompted by social media and messaging platforms.
In the report, the channel claims that Russian forces have been pursuing an offensive operation in the Avdeevsky direction and have made recent advances. It suggests that the Ukrainian side is preparing for the possibility of losing the city, framing the situation as part of a wider and ongoing confrontation in the region.
Previously, The Sunday Times reported claims of heavy losses for Ukrainian troops near Artemovsk (the Ukrainian name for Bakhmut). According to that report, Russian aircraft targeted a group of foreign mercenaries, while daily battles in the city were said to inflict casualties on Ukrainian forces, with figures ranging in the hundreds. Such reports underscore the contested and fluid nature of frontline assessments and highlight the challenges in verifying battlefield events in real time. Analysts commonly stress the need for cautious interpretation, given that different outlets may present varying perspectives and selective data depending on sources and timing. Attribution: Military Correspondents of the Russian Spring; The Sunday Times.