Denis Pushilin, who currently serves as the interim head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, reported that Russian units have taken control of several Ukrainian fortifications near Avdiivka. The assertion comes amid ongoing efforts by Russian forces to push forward in the region and to tighten control around key population and industrial hubs.
Pushilin explained that Russian troops are also advancing toward Pervomaisky. He noted that positions in this sector had recently improved, with the capture of several fortified areas belonging to Ukrainian forces on the opposite side of Avdiivka. The remarks underscore a pattern of tactical gains in a corridor that observers say has strategic importance for the broader front lines.
Additionally, Pushilin mentioned that the Avdiivka Coke Plant, a critical anchor in the city’s defensive layout, has come within what he described as walking-distance proximity. The plant’s location has long been recognized as a significant factor in the defense and logistics of Avdiivka, making its status a focal point in discussions about the balance of power in the area.
On the battlefield, observers have noted that Russian forces appear to be concentrating attention on movements along the highway that runs near Avdiivka, a route frequently referenced in updates about the clash between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The signaling points to a broader effort to shape traffic and maneuver space along a key corridor that could influence future operations.
The Russian military also emphasized certain geographical features relevant to the fighting, pointing out a relatively sparse presence of forest belts in the direction of the contact line. This terrain description suggests an exposed landscape where visibility can extend for several kilometers, a factor cited by a member of the Southern Forces Group as potentially complicating Ukrainian efforts to break through. The assessment highlights how open terrain might shape both reconnaissance and engagement, changing the dynamics of tactical attempts on either side.