Russian forces continue efforts to encircle Avdiivka
Smoke rises from the area in the direction of Avdiivka in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, as seen from Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, on Oct. 11, 2023.
Alexander Ermochenko | Reuters
Russian forces are continuing efforts to encircle and capture the town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, according to the head of the town’s military administration.
Avdiivka in Donetsk has become a focal point of intense fighting in recent weeks with Russian forces anxious to capture the strategically-important town in a bid to capture more of the wider Donbas region.
Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivka’s military administration, said Tuesday that “things in the Avdiivka sector have become even tougher,” he told the media outlet Espreso TV, according to comments reported by Sky News.
“The intensity of clashes has been increasing for some time,” he said, adding: “The Russians have opened up two more sectors from which they have begun making assaults — in the direction of Donetsk and in the so-called industrial zone. The enemy is attempting to storm the city from all directions.”
Ukraine’s General Staff said Tuesday morning that its forces continue to defend the city even though “the enemy does not abandon attempts to surround Avdiivka.”
“Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the defense, causing the occupiers significant losses,” the military added. CNBC was unable to verify developments on the ground.
— Holly Ellyatt
Russian court extends detention of U.S. reporter Gershkovich
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich looks out of an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing to consider an appeal against his pre-trial detention on espionage charges in Moscow, Russia, October 10, 2023.
Evgenia Novozhenina | Reuters
A Russian court said on Tuesday it had extended the detention of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who is awaiting trial on espionage charges he denies, until Jan. 30, 2024.
Gershkovich, a…
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