British Intelligence Services emphasized that the main objective was to capture Avdiivka, in Donetsk province

MADRID, October 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –

British Intelligence Services have indicated this Tuesday that it is “highly likely” that the Russian Army has initiated “coordinated attacks in multiple directions” in eastern Ukraine, within the framework of the invasion launched in February 2022 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Therefore, they stated that “Russian forces in Donetsk are conducting a combined offensive against the heavily fortified town of Avdiivka, which has been on the front line since 2014 and represents a major obstacle preventing Russian forces from achieving their broad goal of capturing the city. control of Donetsk province.

“The attack by Russia may be carried out with several armored battalions trying to encircle the city,” they indicated, before highlighting that “this may be the most significant attack carried out by Russia since at least January 2023.”

In this regard, they have explained that Russian forces “have so far succeeded in repelling the Russian advance, and Russia has suffered heavy losses in terms of equipment and personnel,” according to a statement published by the British Ministry of Defense through its account on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter .

“Slow progress and high casualties have likely prompted a shift in messaging from Russia from attack to ‘active defence,’ as success in capturing the town of Avdiivka appears increasingly unlikely in the short term,” they said. .