Russia is pressing northwest Avdiivka, what is the ultimate goal?

(Dan Tri) – According to ISW, Russian troops took advantage of the tactical advantage northwest of Avdiivka when continuing to attack, but it is unclear what their ultimate goal is on this front.

The Ukrainian army fires rocket artillery toward Russian targets in Donetsk (Illustration photo: Skynews).

Experts from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that on the night of May 3-4, Russian forces made notable tactical advances northwest of Avdiivka in the Arkhangelske area.

Experts speculate that, under suffocating pressure from the enemy, the Ukrainian army may have decided to withdraw to preserve its strength while waiting for large-scale US aid to arrive at the front in the coming weeks,

However, ISW continues to assess that Moscow may be trying to take advantage of the limited time before Western military support actually reaches the front by increasing offensive operations and Russian forces

Experts also added that although the Russian army seems to have taken advantage of the beneficial tactical situation northwest of Avdiivka, their ultimate goal on this front area remains unclear.

The Moscow command decided to exploit the area where it is likely to gain a tactical advantage in the near future, though it is unclear whether it will continue moving north towards Toretsk or return to its previous focus.

The report said: `Russian forces have deployed a division-sized force (mainly four brigades from the Central Military District) to the front line northwest of Avdiivka and are believed to be continuing their deployment.`

Information from the field at the Avdiivka front as of May 4 recorded Russian successes in the Novoaleksandrovka settlement.

At the same time, they succeeded in developing from the Solovyevo settlement in the direction of Sokol.

Additionally, stabilization measures are being implemented in and around Arkhangelsk after Russia took control of the settlement.

War map of Ukraine at Avdiivka on May 4.

In addition, notable information is reports about Russia placing on the wanted list President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Commander of the Ukrainian Army, Lieutenant General Alexander Pavlyuk and former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

Analysts say the Kremlin’s move is part of Russia’s `Maidan 3` information campaign and broader efforts to discredit pro-Western Kiev officials in the current government

Notable comments in ISW’s May 4 report:

First, the Russian army carried out a tactical offensive and achieved a significant victory northwest of Avdiivka in the Arkhangelske area on the night of May 3-4.

Second, recently, Russian troops have advanced near Avdiivka and Donetsk, as well as in the border areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions.

Third, the Kremlin continues its campaign to centralize control of the irregular forces of the so-called `self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)`.