Russian soldiers are deserting on the frontlines in Donetsk amid human wave attacks launched by Moscow resulting in enormous casualties.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russia could soon intensify artillery bombardment around the strategic settlement of Andriivka in preparation for a third wave of attacks there, citing Ukrainian Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun.

The Colonel said that increasing numbers of Russian soldiers were deserting the frontlines in eastern Ukraine as Moscow throws them into the meat grinder. Barrier troops are being deployed to stop retreats.

Russia has resorted to human wave attacks around Andriivka performed by so-called Storm Z units made up of released convicts and soldiers who refused to follow orders.

Shtupun said that in some cases only 10 to 15 percent of some unit’s original personnel are able to fight.

Although Russia continued attacks towards Andriivka, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces beat back the assaults.

The ISW wrote: “A Russian news aggregator claimed that Russian forces made unspecified advances in Andriivka on November 18.

“The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Klishchiivka and Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut).”

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Russia began its massive attacks around the city in mid-October. Moscow first launched huge armoured assaults in Andriivka before Ukraine destroyed “hundreds” of vehicles prompting Russian forces to change tactics.

Russia then began launching human wave attacks in the areas around the village which Ukraine says have resulted in staggering casualties.

Andriivka is part of the larger battle for Bakhmut and has been the scene of fierce fighting since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022.

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