Russian forces are conducting a tactical encirclement of the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, which could create conditions that force Ukrainian forces to abandon their positions in the town. The defenders are putting up fierce resistance, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The department referred to a map of hostilities showing the advance of Russian invaders towards the southern outskirts of the Avdiivka coke and chemical plant, as well as the capture of the Defense Forces’ Zenit position between Avdiivka and the village of Spartak on the outskirts of…