Russia likely deployed elements of at least two Central Military District (CMD) brigades to reinforce offensive operations by Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) forces on the Avdiyivka front, according to an October 16 report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Russian forces continued offensive operations in Avdiyivka direction on October 16 and recently made some gains, albeit at a relatively slower pace than in the initial attacks. Geolocated footage posted on October 16 shows that Russian forces have marginally advanced past the E50 road about 3km south of Avdiyivka … Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that Russian forces have improved their tactical positions in unspecified areas and that the Russian ‘active defense’ along the front, including near Avdiyivka, is prohibiting Ukrainian advances,” the message reads.

According to analysts, on Monday Russian troops carried out offensive operations on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line in Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, in Bakhmut direction, in Avdiyivka area, southwest of the city of Donetsk, along the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions, in the west of Zaporizhia region and progress has been made in some areas.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian attacks in Avdiyivka direction during the day, which is significantly less than the 30 attacks recorded on October 15. Also, on October 16, Ukrainian troops continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in the west of Zaporizhia region.

“Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted assaults near Avdiyivka and on Verbove’s western and northwestern outskirts (10km east of Robotyne or 18km southwest of Orikhiv). Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces are within 200 to 300 meters of Russian positions west of Verbove,” the ISW reported.