Russian forces have faced a number of “setbacks” in their offensive on the front-line town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says in its latest analysis.

Ukrainian forces in the area continued to repel Russian attacks and used minefields to impede the Russian advance on the city, ISW reported.

According to a Russian army volunteer, worn equipment also reduces the accuracy of Russian artillery.

ISW also notes that Russian sources have published conflicting information about the occupation of the Avdiiv Koksokhim.

ISW says it has seen no evidence that Russian forces are in control of the plant.

The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday that Russia had strengthened its forces near Avdiyivka, deploying more than 2,000 troops there.

The city has almost turned into ruins after nine years of war in Donbas and the escalation of hostilities during the war.

Russian bait

Moscow may hope to present its offensive on Avdiivka as proof of the failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, according to analysts of US think tanks.

The Kremlin is likely trying to use Russian offensive operations around Avdiivka, as well as localized efforts elsewhere on the front, to change Russian and international narratives and focus on Russian offensive operations and military capabilities, ISW notes.

At a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasyl Nebenzia, said that Ukraine’s counteroffensive has “officially ended” due to Russia’s “active combat operations” at the front.

ISW previously claimed that the Russian offensive on Avdiivka was intended to divert Ukrainian forces from other key areas of the front, such as the Zaporizhia region.