Russian forces are intensifying their push to capture the Donetsk city of Avdiivka, Vitalii Barabash, head of Ukraine's military administration in the city, said in a broadcast on Tuesday.
"Things in the Avdiivka sector have become even tougher," Barabash told the Ukrainian outlet Espreso TV. "The intensity of clashes has been increasing for some time. The Russians have opened up two more sectors from which they have begun making assaults. In the direction of Donetsk [city] ... and in the so-called industrial zone. The enemy is attempting to storm the city from all directions."
As another winter approaches Ukraine, it's clear that Russia will once again use the despicable tactic of bombing the country's civilian energy facilities as it did last year, making rolling blackouts a feature of daily life in Ukraine. The country's better prepared to deal with such attacks than 12 months ago — but Ukrainians should still expect to see Russian Pres. Putin's attacks coming.
Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are a direct consequence of the failure of the country's leadership to meaningfully engage in peace talks and a mindset that they can defeat Russia on the battlefield. These attacks will stop once a more sober position is reached.