Kirby emphasized the severity of the ongoing fighting in the Avdeevka region. "We're receiving reports from the Ukrainians indicating a critical situation, with the Russians persistently advancing on Ukrainian positions daily," he said, adding that there is a real risk of Avdeevka falling under Russian control.
The town, often likened to a "fortress" by Russian military bloggers, features deep bunkers constructed by Ukrainian forces. It is positioned just 10 kilometers north of Donetsk.
The extent of Kyiv's troop losses in the attempt to retain Avdeevka remains unclear. Kirby attributed the impending fall of the town to ammunition shortages, a problem extensively covered by Western media in recent months.
Urging Congress to pass a $60 billion military aid bill for Ukraine, Kirby asserted that this funding would equip Ukraine with much-needed artillery shells to counter Russian assaults.
Despite the bill's approval in the U.S. Senate last week, it faces resistance in the House of Representatives.
The slim Republican majority in the House is demanding a significant tightening of U.S. immigration laws and "real border security provisions" as prerequisites for supporting the bill, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Ukraine said it was determined to defend Avdeevka
Meanwhile, Ukraine recently said it was determined to defend Avdeevka at any cost. President Vladimir Zelensky appointed Aleksandr Syrsky, a general known for tolerating substantial losses, as the new commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
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Syrsky promptly deployed Ukraine's elite Western-armed 3rd Assault Brigade, comprised of remnants from the neo-Nazi Azov regiment, to Avdeevka. The group took over from the beleaguered and depleted 110th Mechanized Brigade.
While Ukrainian authorities have not officially admitted defeat in Avdeevka, German reporter Julian Roepcke claimed on Thursday, Feb. 15, that "the Ukrainian army is in the process of pulling out." (Related: Ukraine to RETREAT from Bakhmut following intense Russian offensive.)
Roepcke reported that Russian forces are swiftly advancing both inside and around the town, with the Russian flag now reportedly flying at the town's entrance – precisely where Zelensky had taken a selfie during a publicity visit in December.
Last January, a Russian reconnaissance group launched a surprise attack on Avdeevka, a defensive stronghold in eastern Ukraine. However, they were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
On January 23, it was reported that Russian ground forces were present south of Avdeevka.
The Russian reconnaissance unit discovered an underground pipeline leading to Ukraine's Tsarskaya Okhota base, but their initial attempt to breach it had failed.
They resumed their attack after creating additional vents and a flood had temporarily halted their plans.
Taking advantage of the sounds of artillery shells and mortars, the Russian forces followed the pipeline and made an opening at Tsarskaya Okhota. They then carried out a raid on the Ukrainian rear, capturing a group of prisoners and isolating forward defense posts.
The mayor of Avdeevka confirmed the presence of the Russian reconnaissance group but assured that the situation was under control.
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian units had also entered Stepovoye, where a battle occurred between armored vehicles.
Ongoing conflicts involving Russian and Ukrainian units were highlighted in various areas around Avdeevka.
Russian forces have launched a large-scale attack on Avdeevka, encircling three sides of the city and limiting Ukrainian supply lines.
Their goal is to gain control over Donetsk province by taking over Avdeevka.
According to U.S. intelligence, the attempt to capture Avdeevka may have resulted in significant losses for Russia, including hundreds of combat vehicles and an estimated 13,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded.
Watch this report about Ukraine fleeing Avdeevka.
This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.
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