Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)
The battle of Avdiivka was a major battle between the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces for control of Avdiivka, a city in Donetsk Oblast, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After more than a year and a half of intermittent fighting along the city's outskirts, Russian forces launched an offensive to capture Avdiivka on 10 October 2023, resulting in what was considered one of the bloodiest and fiercest battles of the war.
A Ukrainian soldier near a building struck by Russian shelling in Avdiivka, May 2023
Avdiivka's School No. 1 shelled by white phosphorus munitions
A shelled residential building in Avdiivka, October 2023
View of the Avdiivka Coke Plant after Russian shelling, 19 October 2023
Avdiivka is a city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. The city is located in the centre of the oblast, just north of the regional centre, Donetsk. The large Avdiivka Coke Plant is located in Avdiivka. The city had a population of 31,392 before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but it was reported as 1,600 in October 2023, and then "just over 1,000", mostly living below ground level.
Avdiivka in June 2007
Avdiivka Coke Plant, July 2012
St. Mary Magdalene Church, January 2008
Memorial stone commemorating the opening of Avdiivka railway station in 1884