Rainy weather begins to slow down fighting at the front – ISW
Ukrainian and Russian forces continue fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine, although rainy weather continues to slow the pace of fighting until winter conditions are fully established.
This is reported with reference to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A Russian “military blogger” claimed that Ukrainian forces continue to defend against a strong Russian grouping near Avdiivka and that the Ukrainian Armed Forces retain the initiative in southern Ukraine. He added that it was premature to declare Russian victories in order not to create false perceptions of the situation on the battlefield.
Another Russian "military blogger" noted that bad weather hinders the use of armored vehicles in the western Zaporizhzhia region, but Ukrainian troops are still attacking Russian positions with infantry units.
On November 18, the UK Ministry of Defense assessed that neither side had made significant progress on the Kupyansk and Avdiivka directions, as well as on the eastern (left) bank of the Kherson region, where the most intense fighting continues.
They added that there are fewer immediate prospects for serious changes on the front line as the cold winter weather sets in.
"Freezing weather conditions during the winter will likely prompt the resumption of more active combat operations, and ongoing rainy weather is unlikely to halt Ukrainian or Russian attacks," ISW noted.
Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 20/11/2023
