Russian forces resume efforts and attempt to encircle Kupiansk

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Eastern Grouping of Ukrainian Forces, has reported new Russian offensives in the area of the city of Makiivka in Donetsk Oblast and on the Kupiansk front.

 "The enemy, after suffering losses, recovered in two months and launched active offensive actions in the area of Makiivka and later on the Kupiansk front. Heavy fighting is ongoing.

"The enemy's main goal is to defeat our troops, encircle [the city of] Kupiansk [in Kharkiv Oblast] and reach the Oskil River.

The enemy carries out dozens of attacks daily using assault groups assisted by armored vehicles and conducts heavy mortar and artillery fire on our positions.

However, our soldiers are prepared for this scenario and are giving the enemy a good fight. They [the Russians] suffered significant losses and failed to achieve any substantial progress," said Sirskiy.

Russia wants to occupy the whole of Donetsk Oblast by the end of the year

Vitalii Barabash, Head of Avdiivka City Military Administration, shared that Russian occupiers have set a new date for reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk Oblast – 31 December.

"They have set another date for reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk Oblast. Now it is 31 December. That is, by the end of the year, they have been tasked with reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk Oblast.

They understand that if they capture the high ground in Avdiivka, it will be easier for them to reach Pokrovsk and so on. That is why Avdiivka is extremely important to them," said Barabash.

 Barabash also said the Russians are simply "wiping Avdiivka off the face of the earth."

Russian forces shelled Kherson, damaging buildings and power lines

Russian forces attacked Kherson on the afternoon of Sunday, 15 October, and damaged several buildings and power lines. Meanwhile, the Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces also attacked the city of Zolota Balka; around 28 explosions were heard there.