(Dan Tri) – Ukrainian forces appear to have repelled an unprecedented large-scale attack using Russian battalion-level mechanization near Avdiivka on March 30.
Russian mechanized forces were heavily damaged by Ukraine near Ugledar at the Donetsk front (Illustration: Telegram).
The latest report from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Kiev forces appeared to repel an enemy battalion-level mechanized attack near Avdiivka on March 30.
According to the report, on March 30, Moscow forces – including elements of the 6th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division, of Russia’s Central Military District – dispatched 36 tanks and 12
In combat, Kiev forces destroyed 12 Russian tanks and 8 infantry fighting vehicles, and the frontal attack was unable to penetrate the Ukrainian front line.
Analysts at ISW said that Ukraine’s ability to stand firm and break up the attack on March 30, especially near Avdiivka – where Kiev forces were forced to quickly retreat to new defensive positions after losing
At the same time, the Russian military command’s readiness to send a tank battalion to attack Avdiivka shows that this direction of combat is Moscow’s top priority.
ISW said that the Russian Command may focus its offensive operations expected in late spring or summer 2024 in the western region of Donetsk, hoping to take advantage of the steady but insignificant progress they have made.
Ukrainian officials have recently warned that the Russian military is increasing personnel along the Kharkiv-Lugansk axis, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka and in the western region of Zaporizhia, however ISW experts continue to assess that the military
ISW’s notable comments in the March 31 report are as follows:
First, on the night of March 30 and early morning of March 31, Russia carried out a series of attacks with missiles and drones, mainly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Delays in US security assistance continue to weaken Ukraine’s air defenses and allow Russia to cause significant damage to the country’s energy infrastructure.
Second, Ukrainian forces appear to have repelled a mechanized assault by a Russian battalion near Avdiivka on March 30.
Third, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on March 31 that France would provide Ukraine with an unspecified number of Aster 30 air defense missile systems along with `hundreds` of armored vehicles and other equipment.
Fourth, Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 31 signed a decree on the organization of spring military service, in which 150,000 Russian citizens will be called up to enlist from April 1 to July 15.
Thursday, the Russian Military Command reportedly appointed the Chief of Staff of the Russian Ground Forces, General Alexander Lapin, as commander of the newly established Leningrad Military District.
Sixth, Russian authorities arrested a terrorist suspect in the Republic of Dagestan on March 31.
Seventh, Russian troops recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and southwest of Donetsk on March 31.
Samuel 
Caroline