110th Mechanized Brigade photo
On Sunday, Russian troops quickly infiltrated Avdiivka under a cloudy sky.
After enduring a four-month long campaign, the situation in the city has become critical, according to Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko.
The blame for the potential Russian victory in Avdiivka largely falls on the Russia-aligned Republicans in the U.S. Congress who blocked U.S. aid to Ukraine, ultimately leaving Ukrainian troops without the ammunition they needed to match the Russian firepower.
Ukrainian correspondent Yuriy Butusov emphasized the urgent need for fresh reserves, rotation of units, and increased ammunition supplies for the garrison in Avdiivka. The city’s defenders, mainly the soldiers of the Ukrainian army’s 110th Mechanized Brigade, have been fighting without adequate support and rest for almost two years.
The Ukrainian command did reinforce Avdiivka, but the 110th Brigade plus some border guards and commandos alone defend the city center, despite the arrival of the 47th and 53rd Mechanized Brigades.
The 2,000-person brigade has not rested and continues fighting day after day. Despite causing significant casualties and losses to the attacking Russian forces, the Kremlin keeps sending in fresh troops, progressing slowly at the cost of many lives and equipment.
The defense of the city’s key relied on small drones, which spotted incoming Russian troops. However, with the clouds grounded many drones and obstructed visibility, the Russians were able to make significant advancements.
As the Russians bypassed the Ukrainian battle formations and entrenched themselves in the buildings, the 110th Brigade scrambled to respond, with officers even ordering elderly mechanics to join the defense efforts.
If the Russians maintain their positions in northern Avdiivka, they can threaten the Ukrainian garrison’s supply lines, potentially making it the first Ukrainian city to fall to the Russians since Bakhmut was seized nine months ago.
The Republicans who obstructed aid to Ukraine are accountable for the potential fall of Avdiivka, as the Ukrainians’ arsenals had been emptying out as early as December, leaving them unable to effectively defend against repeated Russian attacks.
The impact of the ammunition shortage was evident when Ukrainian drone-operators lacked the means to strike a Russian column that attacked Avdiivka in December, highlighting the dire situation faced by the defenders.
