British intel: Russian attempt to advance in Avdiivka failed

"Operations in recent weeks have seen the continuation of a trend which has been identified since early in the war: other factors being equal, the balance of land combat generally favors the defending force," UK Defence Ministry said in its daily update on the situation in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 03 November 2023.

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South and Avdiivka

According to the intelligence, in the south, Ukraine's progress remains relatively static between the two main lines of Russian well-prepared defensive positions.

And around the city of Avdiivka in Donbas, a "large-scale Russian assault has floundered on strong Ukrainian defences."

"A major factor in this phenomenon has highly likely been the relative sidelining of tactical air power: both sides have maintained credible air defences, preventing combat jets from providing effective air support for assaults," the statement reads.

What hindered the counteroffensive

First and foremost, the geographical size of the war hindered the offensive, according to the intelligence.

"Both sides have struggled to assemble uncommitted striking forces capable of a breakthrough because most of their mobilized troops are needed to hold the 1200-km line of contact," military officials added.