It will likely be difficult for Russian forces to advance west of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region closer to the prepared positions to which Ukrainian forces are withdrawing, according to the ISW report. ISW analysts note that the Russians are likely to suffer significant losses if they choose to attack the new Ukrainian positions head-on in the open field due to the large concentration of Ukrainian forces in the new positions. Russian forces likely seek to hinder or prevent the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces in hopes of inflicting operational losses on the Ukrainian military in this area, as th…
