For the fourth consecutive day, russian forces have been shelling and attempting to storm Avdiivka, with the aim of encircling the city, according to Vitalii Barabash, the head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, during a Ukrainian national TV news marathon on October 13.
"The battles have been ongoing for four days, fierce and truly non-stop. There are infantry battles, artillery duels, firing everything they have. Aviation is actively engaged", - he reported.
He noted that the night in Avdiivka was very intense, with the russians launching several airstrikes on the city.
"They didn't even bother counting the positions; there are too many of them. Regarding the shelling, there were hundreds of shelling incidents on the positions. Dozens of them targeted the city itself. The assaults don't stop, neither during the day nor at night, they come like cockroaches, there are so many of them", - he added.
Vitalii Barabash emphasized that on October 12, the russians employed a significant amount of armored vehicles.
"The guys are holding the city. It's very difficult and tense. They are titans, not ordinary people. To endure something like this is simply an incredible story", - he said.
He also added that the russians' goal is to encircle Avdiivka.
It was previously reported, as of October 12, russian forces have not achieved a significant breakthrough beneath Avdiivka, and it's unlikely they will immediately cut off Ukrainian forces in the city.