1st Major Russian Assault Since Ukraine Counteroffensive Weakening-AP

AP and other outlets reporting that the Russian offensive against the eastern industrial town of Avdiivka looks to be weakening after days of attempted breakthrough by armoured divisions and triips, repelled by an effective Ukrainian defence. The assault on Avdiivka, in the Donetsk oblast, marks the first major assault on Ukrainian positions by Russian forces since the launching of the Ukrainian summer counteroffensive in July.

• The difficulty experienced by both sides in making ground in their respective assaults, and the imminent onset of winter, means that the conflict looks set to continue well into 2024 as the prospect of a major breakthrough by either side from November through to the spring thaw is slim.
• Institute for the Study of War: “Russian forces continued offensive operations aimed at encircling Avdiivka … but have yet to make further gains amid a likely decreasing tempo of Russian operations in the area".
• WaPo: "Last week, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, claimed that the Ukrainian counteroffensive was finished and Russia was now on the offensive. But when asked about Avdiivka on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his forces were conducting “active defense” along the whole front line."