Russian Forces Lost 41 Armored Vehicles At Avdiivka In the Last 3 Days

An increase in the use of armored vehicles by Russian forces around Avdiivka suggests that rising casualties caused by Ukrainian defenders have become unsustainable, compelling Russian commanders to do more to protect their troops. 

The problem for the Russians is that Ukrainian drones and artillery fire have become so lethal in that sector that the armor offers little protection as it can be readily identified and targeted, thereby compounding Russia's losses. JL

Olha Hlushchenko reports in Ukraine Pravda :

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians lost 41 armored vehicles, including 17 tanks, in the last three days. Russian troops on the Avdiivka front are actively employing armored vehicles to support and deploy infantry. The Russians usually use one or two tanks, several armored personnel carriers and MT-LBs (tracked armored vehicles) to transport infantry before a rapid withdrawal. Subsequently, Ukrainian forces target the armored vehicles.

Ukrainian defenders have been actively destroying Russian armoured vehicles used to support infantry on the Avdiivka front. In particular, the Russian occupiers lost 41 units of armoured vehicles in three days there.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: The ISW noted that Russian forces have recently made verified progress to the southwest of Avdiivka. 

Geolocation images published on 17 January show that Russian forces attacked and occupied a position east of Nevelske (southwest of Avdiivka).

Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group, stated on 18 January that Russian troops on the Avdiivka front are likely actively employing armoured vehicles to support and deploy infantry. This tactic has resulted in Russian forces losing 41 armoured vehicles, including 17 tanks, over the past three days.

Oleksandr Shtupun, Spokesman for the Joint Press Centre of the Tavriia Defence Forces, noted that Russian forces usually use one or two tanks, several armoured personnel carriers and MT-LBs (tracked armoured vehicles) to transport infantry before a rapid withdrawal. Subsequently, Ukrainian forces target the armoured vehicles.

Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that positional battles are ongoing to the northwest of Avdiivka near Stepove, Novokalynove and Novobakhmutivka; near the Coke Plant to the northwest of Avdiivka and the industrial zone to the southeast of Avdiivka; west of Avdiivka near Severne and southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske and Nevelske.