Russia has focused on the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk since failing in its initial drive on the capital Kyiv after mounting its invasion in February 2022. Over the past two weeks, Russia has concentrated on Avdiivka in Donetsk, a town known in peacetime for its big coking plant and now seen as a bulwark of Ukrainian resistance.
"We have information that the Russian military actually executed soldiers who refused to obey orders," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during the press briefing, according to European Pravda's correspondent.
Russian troops continue to suffer losses in manpower and equipment during their attacks at Avdiivka, as can be seen in a video shared on social media by Ukraine's Special Operations Forces on Oct. 20.
Russian forces renewed their assault against Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast and launched unsuccessful attacks at the town's flanks, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 20.