In the last 24 hours, Ukraine has faced what officials describe as the largest Russian attack of the war. Bombings were recorded in 118 locations as Kyiv braces for a potential third Russian push on Avdiivka, the eastern city seen as pivotal for Ukraine’s defense of the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian authorities, including the minister of internal affairs, reported that the enemy struck 118 towns during the day and night. The figure marks the widest sweep of attacks since the conflict began, according to statements shared on social channels by Ukraine’s leadership. The focus appears to be a coordinated assault that targets multiple cities and infrastructure facilities across the country.
Among the sites hit were critical pipelines and refineries, including damage to a refinery in Kremenchuk and strikes in the Poltava region. Kyiv noted air and artillery bombardments affecting Kharkiv in the northeast, Donetsk in the east, Dnipropetrovsk in the center, Kherson in the south, and Mykolaiv in the south. The strikes caused casualties in several regions, with official tallies showing three fatalities across Kharkiv, Donetsk and Kherson.
Third Russian assault on Avdivka
In Avdiivka, located in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces are preparing for what officials describe as a third Russian attempt to seize the city. More than 1,500 civilians remain in Avdiivka, underscoring the humanitarian stakes of any renewed offensive.
Officials note that a new wave was anticipated since October 10 as Moscow reorganizes and concentrates forces around the area. Vitali Barabash, head of the regional military administration, stated that the adversary has regrouped and deployed additional troops to intensify the offensive, presenting a stronger challenge than in previous attempts.
The Kremlin-allied forces are said to be learning from earlier mistakes and attempting to exploit difficult weather conditions that hinder Ukrainian logistics. Analysts suggest Moscow could press for gains in Avdivka by year’s end, leveraging the terrain and fortified positions that have characterized the battle for years.
Russian military observers indicate a push toward capturing Avdivka, seen by many as a formidable fortress since 2014, if weather and operational factors align with Moscow’s plan. The assessment reflects a broader narrative of Moscow seeking to consolidate momentum in eastern Ukraine.
Russia counters missile and drone actions
Russia has also reported repelling a major attack involving missiles and drones in the southern occupied areas. State officials in the region claimed that air defenses intercepted several missiles aimed toward Crimea, with several missiles shot down over Kherson during the most recent engagement.
Officials in Sevastopol, including the regional governor, reported that air defenses neutralized a large number of air targets across the Crimean peninsula. In parallel, the Russian Defense Ministry asserted that Ukrainian aircraft and associated operations in the areas it controls appeared limited in the prior 24 hours.
Analysts note the ongoing messaging from Moscow about countering Ukrainian moves in southern and eastern pockets, a pattern that has persisted as the war enters its successive phases.
Assessment of positions and momentum
Russian officials have stated that defense and offensives continue with the aim of securing more advantageous positions, even as Kyiv maintains its resolve through sustained NATO-supported aid and supplies. The narrative from Moscow emphasizes ongoing activity to counter Ukrainian advances and to hold or improve defensive lines.
Some Western observers have highlighted reports in regional outlets that Moscow appears to be reasserting momentum in parts of Ukraine, while Kyiv is reminded of the need to mobilize resources to sustain resistance. The broader debate centers on the balance between offensive efforts and the capacity to sustain defensive operations across multiple fronts.
The Institute for the Study of War has noted continued Ukrainian operations near Bakhmut and Zaporizhia, with ambitions to press toward Melitopol and to sever the land corridor connecting Russia to the annexed Crimea through contested territories. The analysis reflects a view that Ukrainian forces are maintaining offensive tempo while adapting to shifting conditions on the ground.