Powerful explosions shook an area near the eastern Donetsk town of Avdiivka on Thursday as Russian forces detonated a 500-kilogram (about 1,100lb) explosive charge in a tunnel under a Ukrainian position, according to a local media outlet.
The development was reported by independent Russian news website Pravda, which said that the powerful blast left the Ukrainian military with no opportunity to push back against the advance, and “and all the defensive fortifications of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were quickly captured by a Russian attack aircraft.”
Clashes have been increasing in intensity near the town of Avdiivka, which has been described as the gateway to the city of Donetsk. Russia has poured in thousands of troops since October 10, as well as tanks and armored vehicles, in an attempt to seize the town. Moscow’s forces have reportedly suffered high losses of troops and equipment.
An OSINT account on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared a video that purportedly shows the moment of the tunnel blast, The account mentioned said it a 500lb (about 227kg) explosion charge.
Newsweek has contacted the foreign ministries of Russia and Ukraine for comment via email.
Ukraine said Russia recently accumulated around 40,000 troops for an fresh assault on the town.
On Friday, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Kyiv’s forces had repelled over 20 Russian assaults near Avdiivka.
Anton Kotsukon, spokesperson for Ukraine’s 110th separate mechanized brigade, said on October 21 that Russian forces had resorted to a new tactic of digging tunnels close to Ukrainian positions and deploying remote-controlled vehicles.
“As for the Russians’ tactics. Our war is often compared to World War I. On the Avdiivka front [the Russians] have started using the tactic of digging tunnels. They’re digging them close to our positions. First, [this aids with] concealment. Second, they can then unexpectedly emerge close to our positions,” he was quoted by Ukrainska Pravda as saying.
“Our defense officers have also spotted the Russians using robotic vehicles that serve as remote-controlled vehicles, they’re used to deliver ammunition… These are some sort of special vehicles, they’re quite big, and they can carry a decent load,” he said.
Ukrainian commander Alexander Tarnavsky said on his Telegram channel Thursday that Russian troops began a third wave of assault on Avdiivka.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.