Russia-Ukraine war live: Russian forces suffering heavy losses but neither side making progress, says UK

Russia suffering ‘heavy casualties’ but neither side making progress, says UK

In its daily intelligence briefing, the UK’s Ministry of Defence notes Russian forces are suffering “particularly heavy casualties” in fighting around Avdiivka, which is one of three areas seeing heavy ground fighting.

The other two areas are Kupiansk and Luhansk.

Despite the heavy fighting, however, the MoD said neither side was making any significant progress.

Over the last week, the most intense ground combat has been taking place in three areas: on the Kupiansk axis, in Luhansk Oblast; around Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast; and on the left bank of the Dnipro river in Kherson Oblast, where Ukrainian forces have established a bridgehead.

Neither side has achieved substantial progress in any of these areas. Russia continues to suffer particularly heavy casualties around Avdiivka.

Eyewitness reports suggest small uncrewed aerial vehicles and artillery (especially cluster rounds) continue to play a major role in disrupting the attacks of both sides.

As colder winter weather sets in earnest in eastern Ukraine, there are few immediate prospects of major changes in the frontline.