In a live address for Ukraine’s United News telethon, Volodymyr Fitio, Head of the Public Relations of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Ground Command, said that the colder weather in Ukraine will likely affect the course of military operations conducted by the military. Fitio announced that Ukraine’s Armed Forces would try to disrupt the supply routes of the Russians in an attempt to “freeze them out” of Ukraine when adverse weather conditions set in.
“After all, the weather will certainly have an impact on the conduct of military operations. If it starts raining now, using military aviation and combat drones will become difficult. Consequently, logistics will be more challenging. Nevertheless, we are planning on continuing using artillery”, said Fitio. At the same time, the primary task for the Ukrainian military is a disruption of supply channels and logistical connections of the Russian troops. As Fitio pointed out, “a crucial task for the Ukrainian forces remains cutting off the supply lines of the Russian forces, as well as destroying their rear and forward positions. If we succeed in this, I believe, with the help of weather—rain and frost—we will freeze them out”.
Earlier on Sunday, 12 November, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyy, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced that Russian troops have intensified attacks on the Bahmut direction. He communicated this via Telegram: “Russians have become more active near Bakhmut; they are desperately trying to reclaim previously lost positions”. Syrskyy emphasised that Ukraine’s Armed Forces are successfully holding defence and repelling Russian attacks.
In the meantime, Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesman for Tavria’s direction of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, reported that invading Russian forces in the Avdiivka region have reduced the intensity of their attacks. According to Shtupun, Russians conducted several unsuccessful assaults on Saturday but started regrouping after having suffered losses. At the same time, according to the spokesman, Russian forces have intensified their air strikes and are dropping guided aviation bombs in the Avdiivka area as well as along the entire front line to inflict damage on Ukrainian forces while they are regrouping. Earlier, Vitaliy Barabash, Head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, said that Russian forces seem to be concentrating manpower and military equipment for a third massive assault on Avdiivka. They will likely focus their offensive on the Avdiivka Coke Plant in the northern part of the city.
