Positional fighting continues near Bakhmut, Russian troops slightly advance near Avdiivka: analysis from ISW

Over the past day, January 5, positional fighting continued between the Defense Forces and the Russian occupiers northwest and south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. However, there were no confirmed changes on the front line.

This is stated in the analysis of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It is also noted that the invaders have recently made little progress in the area of Avdiivka and have intensified the pace of offensive actions in the area.

Situation in the Bakhmut sector

Citing Russian and Ukrainian sources, analysts noted that positional fighting continued in the areas of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka. Units of Russia's 331st Airborne Regiment continue to operate near Bakhmut, and units of the Russian Hawks unit (33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 1st Army Corps of the "DPR") are reportedly operating south of Bakhmut near Horlivka.

Situation in the Avdiivka sector

Geolocation footage from January 4 shows that the occupiers advanced north of Avdiivka in the area of the Avdiivka Coke Plant and northwest along the railroad near Novobakhmutivka.

On January 5, Russian "war bloggers" claimed that the invaders had also advanced 400 meters along the railroad north of the Tochmash summer house district and 400 meters near the Avdiivka Coke Plant. The propagandist said that the occupiers advance an average of 100 meters near Berdychiv every two days.

In general, the occupants attacked near Avdiivka, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Pervomaiske and Nevelske. The head of the Avdiivka Military Administration, Vitalii Barabash, said that Russian troops launched an offensive from 20 different directions, probably meaning sub-tactical directions. According to him, Russian troops aim to capture Avdiivka before the March 17 presidential election but are unlikely to do so.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Dmytro Lazutkin, the Head of the Public Relations Service of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said that Kremlin terrorists continue to intensively shell Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. The enemy is using drones, missiles and guided bombs to destroy the city.

- In December, it was reported that Russia has about 62 thousand mercenaries in the Bakhmut sector. The invaders are trying to advance towards Chasiv Yar in the areas of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.

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