Despite the difficult situation in Avdiyivka, the city is not surrounded, although it is under heavy enemy fire, Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesman for the Tavriya operational and strategic group of forces, told the news telethon.
"Although supply and evacuation are difficult, the reserve logistics artery, which was prepared in advance, is being used. Hence the main conclusion is that Avdiyivka is not surrounded, although Russian propaganda may trumpet this," said Lykhoviy.
He stressed that the situation is constantly changing and the military will not show and comment on the events in this area in real time, as it is dangerous for the soldiers and can lead to disruption of operations.
Lykhoviy also said that over the past day alone, the Russians carried out 43 air strikes, 64 combat engagements and fired 1,080 artillery shells in the entire operational area of the Tavriya operational and strategic group of forces. "And the lion's share of each of these figures is from the Avdiyivka sector, a barrage of fire, and this is evidence of the advantage that the enemy, unfortunately, has in manpower, aircraft and artillery," he said.
He added that Russia's losses in manpower amounted to 526 people, almost all of them in the Avdiyivka sector.
"Both resources and reserves of the Russian army are being destroyed in Avdiyivka at a frantic pace," he added.