Estonia noted the transfer of initiative in the Ukrainian conflict zone to Russia

Russia has seized the initiative in the conflict zone with Ukraine; the capture of Avdeevka is not excluded, said Colonel Mart Vendla, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces.

“The Russian Armed Forces this week continued slightly more intense attacks than usual,” the colonel said (quote according to ERR).

According to him, there are now two main directions of attack – Avdeevka-Maryinka and Kupyansk-Svatovo-Kremennaya. “Based on the numbers, we can say that the Russian Armed Forces have taken the initiative today,” he noted.

Taking control of Avdiivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to Wendl, is of practical importance, since it is a “relatively densely populated area” and “the so-called gateway to Donetsk.” Control over the city will allow you to better organize logistics.

October 11, head of the DPR Denis Pushilin stated about the advance of Russian forces in Avdeevka from the northern and southern directions, forming a “sack” for the enemy.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. During the fighting, Russian troops took full control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. The Ukrainian Armed Forces began to conduct active offensive operations on June 4.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 12 that the counteroffensive does not bring results to Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu appreciated On October 30, the losses of the Ukrainian army since the beginning of the counteroffensive amounted to more than 90,000 people.