Ukrainian forces bombard Russian assault group as fighting ensues near Avdiivka

Russian forces continue to try to capture the strategic town of Avdiivka outside Donetsk city, Ukrainian officials said on Monday, October 31, as a spokesperson for Kyiv’s troops in the south said no one would quit the city. Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive has slowed in recent weeks, and Ground Forces commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a Telegram post on Monday that Russia “significantly strengthened its grouping and switched from defense to active actions” around Bakhmut, some 90km to the north of Avdiivka. Avdiivka, just north of occupied Donetsk city, has been the site of fighting since the first days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, but Russian forces have redoubled efforts to capture it in recent weeks. Col Oleksandr Shtupun, a military spokesperson, told Ukrainian website Liga on Monday that “no one is going to withdraw” from Avdiivka, adding that around 40,000 Russian soldiers are in the area but nearby Marinka has seen heavier fighting. Ukraine has claimed the Russians are suffering heavy personnel and equipment losses in Avdiivka, and video posted to Telegram on Monday showed munitions strikes on a Russian assault force outside the city. The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: #russia #ukraine #warzone