Ukraine's military has reported advances and strong defense along the front lines of its war with Russia, with Moscow acknowledging tension in the southern sector but dismissing Kyiv's campaign as unsuccessful.
Ukraine's military is making "very tangible progress" in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited the country to showcase U.S. support.
Ukrainian forces have gained control of more than half of the village of Klishchiivka, south of Bakhmut, destroying almost all Russian equipment in the sector, according to Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin; however, air strikes and electronic warfare systems remain a challenge for Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian Armed Forces advance against Russian positions near Robotyne and maintain pressure on Russian positions south of Bakhmut while Russia faces limitations due to redeployments and slow Western aid, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also denounces Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities and Moscow-organized local elections in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have experienced gains in certain areas while conducting offensive operations against Russian forces, inflicting significant losses on the enemy and forcing them to withdraw from their positions.
Ukraine's defense intelligence agency head, Lieutenant-General Kyrylo Budanov, asserts that despite the slow progress, Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia is ongoing, and Russia's defensive line in southern Ukraine has been breached in some places, potentially cutting off land connections to Crimea before winter; however, he acknowledges the risk of Ukraine running down its own resources and the uncertainties regarding the continuation of Western support.
Russia's Minister of Defence, Serhii Shoigu, claims that the Russian army is increasing its combat capacity through the acquisition of advanced armament and improved military training based on the experience of the war in Ukraine, as stated in a video published on 26 September.
Russian forces have launched a large-scale attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, but they have so far been unable to make significant progress, with Ukrainian officials and geolocated footage suggesting that they are holding their ground.
Ukrainian forces are currently fighting off a major Russian offensive in the strategically important city of Avdiivka, with Russia sending in tanks, armored vehicles, and thousands of troops in an attempt to cut off and surround the Ukrainian forces inside the city's defenses.
Russian forces are making minor advancements both to the north and south of Avdiivka, a strategically important city near Donetsk, according to geolocated footage from Oct. 13 and 14, although Russian sources have noted that Ukrainian defensive fortifications and issues with medical support are hindering their progress.
Russian forces continue their fierce assaults on the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, preventing emergency crews from recovering the dead and prompting both Russia and the United States to label it as a new offensive.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russian forces have strengthened their positions across the entire front line in Ukraine after the failure of Ukraine's counteroffensive, resulting in Russia controlling about 17.5% of Ukrainian territory and minimal territorial gains by Ukraine.
Russian forces have made gains in their Ukraine offensive, including in Avdiivka, a symbolic industrial hub, according to President Vladimir Putin.
