A captured Ukrainian soldier, Alexander Prudnikov, has reported that Russian forces have nearly obliterated a battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) on the Avdiivka front in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
Missing In Action
This information was shared with Lenta by Prudnikov, who is currently in Russian custody.
"On the 21st [of June], we were given the task in the morning to go and assist the [110th Separate Mechanized] Brigade. In that situation, we understood that the 401st battalion was almost entirely destroyed," Prudnikov recounted.
He further added that many soldiers from the battalion are currently listed as missing in action.
In a similar account, another captured UAF soldier, Vyacheslav Kurochkin, highlighted poor coordination within the Ukrainian military. He noted that due to the lack of knowledge among Ukrainian army personnel about their own positions, there have been instances of friendly fire.
The Battle for Avdiivka
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has its roots in the complex political and historical landscape of the region. The war began in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea and the subsequent pro-Russian unrest in eastern Ukraine. The conflict escalated significantly in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Avdiivka front, located in the DPR, has been one of the critical hotspots in the war. Russian forces have been attempting to gain control over this strategic area, leading to intense battles and significant losses on both sides. The near-total destruction of the 401st battalion, as reported by Prudnikov, underscores the ferocity of the fighting and the severe toll it is taking on Ukrainian forces.
