Russian troops retreat as Ukraine prepares counterattack in ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian military has pushed back Russian troops from "several positions" in the direction of Donetsk and are now equipping these positions for defensive combat operations. Russian forces attacked the industrial town of Avdiivka over 30 times in the last day, but failed to achieve their goal of seizing the whole region of Donbas. Ukrainian military spokesperson acknowledged that the city could become a "second Bakhmut" and is being wiped off the face of the earth.