Quote from Alex bobby on March 11, 2024, 2:24 PM

"Avdiivka's Fall: Unraveling Ukraine's Defeat - Exhaustion, Dwindling Reserves, and the Vanishing Commander in the Face of Russian Onslaught"

In the war-torn city of Avdiivka in Ukraine, a Ukrainian brigade faced unrelenting challenges, defending industrial buildings against Russian forces for an extended period. Over the course of two years, the soldiers endured low ammunition supplies, frequent Russian airstrikes with "glide bombs," and waves of Russian soldiers employing various tactics, including special forces ambushes.

The situation was dire for the defenders, with one brigade stationed in Avdiivka for months without relief and another enduring the conflict for the entire two-year duration. Morale plummeted as fatigue set in, exacerbated by the mysterious disappearance of a battalion commander and a soldier, both of whom remain missing to this day.

Avdiivka, located in the Donetsk region, fell to the Russians within a week, as the Ukrainians, vastly outnumbered and nearly surrounded, chose to withdraw to avoid a devastating siege similar to what occurred in the port city of Mariupol. The Associated Press interviewed 10 Ukrainian soldiers to reconstruct the series of events that led to this significant defeat, highlighting the critical issues of dwindling ammunition, overwhelming Russian forces, and military mismanagement.

Viktor Biliak, an infantryman with the 110th Brigade, described the psychological toll of being chained to a well-fortified position called Zenith, constantly under Russian fire and lacking the resources for proper fortification. The soldiers faced relentless assaults from Russian forces, including special forces emerging from tunnels and saboteurs conducting ambushes.

The early days of the conflict in Avdiivka saw some success for the Ukrainian defenders, with ill-trained Russian infantry easily targeted and taken prisoner. However, as the conflict progressed, the Russians intensified their attacks, employing glide bombs that posed a significant threat to the defenders. The coke plant, a strategic defensive position, felt increasingly vulnerable as glide bombs rained down daily.

The lack of rotation for front-line positions, failure to pull back brigades engaged for an extended period, and the absence of Western assistance compounded the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces. Russian special forces began infiltrating behind Ukrainian lines, adding to the complexity of the defense.

Exhaustion set in as the relentless assaults continued, with the Ukrainian soldiers feeling ignored and isolated. The arrival of the 3rd Assault Brigade in early February aimed to reinforce the defense of the coke plant. However, by then, defensive lines were compromised, and Russian forces had nearly encircled the strategic position.

The situation escalated on February 8 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Ukraine's military chief, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The following day, a heated discussion among officers outside Avdiivka resulted in the disappearance of a battalion commander and two soldiers under murky circumstances. One soldier was found dead, and the fate of the other two remains unknown.

Amid growing chaos and Russian saboteurs infiltrating behind the lines, the decision was made to retreat from Avdiivka. The withdrawal, initiated on February 15, faced immediate ambushes and challenges. Soldiers faced harrowing conditions during the retreat, with some unable to escape bomb craters, resulting in casualties.

The 3rd Assault Brigade, ordered to retreat a day after the 110th Brigade, executed a hasty withdrawal. The coke plant, which had housed over 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, fell into Russian control on February 17. The Ukrainian military claimed that the majority of soldiers withdrew safely, and Russian losses were substantial.

The Ukrainian forces knew Russians were listening in on their radio conversations, so they communicated face-to-face when possible. By 5 a.m., the coke plant that held more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers the day before was down to just a few truckloads.

The Ukrainian military said the vast majority of soldiers who withdrew from Avdiivka made it out safely and that Russian losses were far greater.

On Feb. 29, Ukraine’s new military chief, Col. Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi released a statement emphasizing the importance of experienced and decisive commanders. He said his inspection of troops in the Donetsk region revealed that some commanders “made certain miscalculations in mastering the situation and assessing the enemy, which directly affected the stability of the defense in certain directions.”

Many of the men worry about what the loss of Avdiivka means for Ukraine’s future. There is little time to waste.

“I try not to feel a sense of despair, of betrayal,” said Andrii, who had fought in Avdiivka for the 110th Brigade since 2022. “The war is still here. We need to recover and keep moving.”

On February 29, Ukraine's new military chief, Col. Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledged miscalculations by certain commanders in assessing the situation and the enemy, impacting defense stability. The aftermath of the loss of Avdiivka leaves Ukrainian soldiers concerned about the future, emphasizing the need for recovery and resilience in the ongoing conflict.