By KYIV. Nov 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Russian forces are likely preparing for another wave of highly attritional infantry-led ground assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Avdiyivka area, according to analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The report says that Russian forces near Avdiyivka have largely slowed the pace of ground attacks north and south of Avdiyivka in favor of heavy indirect fire against Ukrainian frontline positions and near rear areas. This heavy fire is more likely air and artillery preparation for the battlefield ahead of another wave of Russian assaults.
Russian forces, according to ISW, may be preparing to transition to such infantry-led frontal assaults following heavy artillery preparation to compensate for heavy materiel losses in Avdiyivka over the course of October.
Open-source geolocation project GeoConfirmed used commercially available satellite imagery to verify that Russian forces have suffered at least 197 damaged and destroyed vehicles since October 9, losing 99 vehicles during the first wave of assaults between October 9 and October 13, 94 vehicles during the second wave between October 14 and October 23, and four confirmed and 18 potentially lost vehicles between October 24 and October 31.
“GeoConfirmed characterized the Russian effort near Avdiivka as the costliest Russian effort thus far in the war in Ukraine,” the ISW said.
