Putin forced to scale back Ukraine attacks after suffering major losses of Russian troops

The Ukrainian stronghold has been battered by Russian officials since the start of the conflict.

But military officials are warning that Putin will not abandon plans to take the city.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun said: “Russian occupying forces have reduced the number of ground and air attacks, though they still violate the rules of war by shooting at medical teams and evacuation vehicles.

"“The invaders are not abandoning their plans to surround Avdiivka. Eight attacks were repelled today."

Over the course of the conflict, the population of the city has gone down to just 1,500 residents compared to about 32,000.

It is believed that Russia is likely planning its third wave of attacks in a similar bid it made for Bakhmut last year.

Head of Avdiivka’s military administration Vitaliy Barabash said: “The enemy continues to press on our boys. The main focus for them is drones. And drones again."

Nearby Maryinka has also started seeing a surge in the number of Russian attacks.

Russia has not detailed its objectives for Avdiivka in daily updates.

However, in the latest development, it said its troops were attacking villages south of Avdiivka.

The Eastern regions of the country have been heavily hit.

Thousands of Russian troops have died ever since the launch of the full-scale invasion of the country last year.

Russia’s ministry of defence said marines were “stopping all attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out amphibious landings on the Dnipro islands.

Experts monitoring the war said troops on both sides continue to carry out their military operations in eastern and southern Ukraine.