Russia-Ukraine war: troops ‘stoutly holding’ Avdiivka against Russian encirclement

News Snapshot:

Ukrainian soldiers on their frontline position in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Photograph: EPA Russian forces reinforced by reserves continue to attempt to encircle Avdiivka, Ukrainian military officials have said. A spokesman for the 110th separate mechanised brigade, said a Russian force of 40,000 was massed on three sides of the town. Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, head of Ukraine’s southern group of forces, said troops around Avdiivka were “stoutly holding their defences”. A Russian missile damaged a civilian vessel under a Liberian flag entering the Black Sea port of Odesa, killing one and injuring four people, the Ukrainian military said. READ MORE...