Day 648: The Battle for Avdiivka Chemical Plant

Christian Baghai
3 min readDec 4, 2023

The war in Donbas has been raging for a long time now, and the situation on the ground is constantly changing. One of the most contested areas is the Avdiivka chemical plant, a strategic asset for both sides. In this blog post, I will give you an overview of the latest developments and the challenges faced by the Ukrainian forces defending the plant.

The Avdiivka chemical plant is one of the largest coke producing facilities in Europe, and it provides fuel for steelmaking furnaces across Ukraine. It is also located near the Donetsk airport, another key point of contention between the Ukrainian army and the Russian-backed separatists. The plant has been under Ukrainian control since 2014, but it has been repeatedly attacked and damaged by the Russian forces.

The latest offensive by the Russians began in late November, when they launched a massive assault on the northern flank of Avdiivka, aiming to encircle the plant and cut off its supply lines. The Ukrainian forces, however, managed to repel the attack and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy.

The Russians then adjusted their plan and focused on improving their tactical position before making another attempt. They accumulated forces in the nearby tree lines, using personnel carriers to transport their soldiers to the outskirts of Krasnohorivka, and then moving by foot to their positions.

The Ukrainians, meanwhile, used drones and artillery to strike the Russian shelters and reinforcements, trying to prevent them from reaching the contact line. They also prepared for a counterattack, using their firing point north of the chemical plant to cover their advance.

On December 3, the Russians launched a second assault, concentrating their forces on the most problematic region for them: the Ukrainian firing point. They left their flanks exposed and overwhelmed the Ukrainian defenders with sheer numbers. The Ukrainians fought back fiercely, but they ran out of ammunition and had to surrender. The Russians, however, showed no mercy and killed the two Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered.

The Ukrainians, enraged by this act of brutality, launched a swift and decisive counterattack, supported by artillery and drones. They stormed the Russian positions and eliminated all the enemy soldiers. They also regained control of the firing point and secured their supply lines.

At the same time, the Russians tried to attack the settlement of Stepove, south of the chemical plant, hoping to distract the Ukrainians and create a breach in their defenses. However, they met with fierce resistance from the Ukrainian artillery, which coordinated with the drone operator and annihilated one Russian unit after another. The Russians eventually retreated, leaving behind many dead and wounded.

The battle for the Avdiivka chemical plant was a major victory for the Ukrainian forces, who demonstrated their courage, skill, and determination. They inflicted heavy losses on the Russians, who failed to achieve their objectives and suffered a humiliating defeat. The Ukrainians also proved that they are not alone in this fight, as they received support and solidarity from their allies and the international community.

The war in Donbas is not over yet, and the situation remains tense and volatile. The Ukrainians are aware that the Russians may try to attack again, and they are ready to defend their land and their freedom. They are also hopeful that the diplomatic efforts to end the conflict will succeed, and that peace and stability will return to the region.

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Christian Baghai
Christian Baghai

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