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Kyiv - The United States has issued a warning about the potential for Russia to seize control of Avdiivka, a crucial town in eastern Ukraine that has witnessed intense fighting recently.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, emphasized the risk to Avdiivka, citing Ukraine's dwindling ammunition supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to spare no effort in protecting Ukrainian lives.
Reports indicate that Russian troops have made advances in Avdiivka, posing a threat of encirclement. Avdiivka, nearly devastated by the conflict, holds strategic importance as a gateway to Donetsk, the regional capital seized by Russian-backed forces in 2014 and subsequently annexed by Moscow.
Kirby highlighted concerns that Ukrainian forces are running low on artillery ammunition, hindering their ability to counter Russian assaults effectively. He noted the urgency for Congress to pass a supplemental bill to provide necessary support to Ukraine.
Despite the recent approval of a significant foreign aid package by the US Senate, including substantial assistance to Ukraine, its passage in the House of Representatives remains uncertain. This delay in military assistance from the US has drawn criticism from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who warned of its impact on the battlefield.
President Zelensky, in a video address, assured that every effort is being made to equip Ukrainian soldiers with the necessary resources to safeguard lives. He is scheduled to visit Berlin and Paris to solidify security agreements with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, similar to the pact signed with the UK earlier.
Within Avdiivka, Ukrainian General Oleksandr Tarnavsky acknowledged intense battles, prioritizing the preservation of Ukrainian soldiers' lives. Ukrainian troops have reportedly been compelled to reposition due to the escalating situation, with some privately expressing concerns about the town's imminent fall.
Amidst the shortages, Ukrainian officer Oleksii highlighted the challenges faced by troops, including a lack of ammunition, while expressing a deep sense of responsibility for their comrades in Avdiivka.
Ukraine's newly appointed commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledged the difficulties on the frontline and criticized the Russian military's disregard for troop losses. Efforts are underway to reinforce Avdiivka with elite Ukrainian brigades and reserve artillery units, aiming to bolster its defenses against further advances by Russian forces.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that a key Ukrainian defense position in southern Avdiivka, known as Zenit, may have fallen under Russian control.