MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Kiev has admitted that the current situation in the strategically important Avdeyevka area is difficult.

"The situation, including in the Avdeyevka area, is difficult," Andrey Yusov, spokesman for the Ukrainian defense ministry’s main intelligence directorate, said in an interview with the Espreso television channel.

According to Yusov, Avdeyevka, which is currently controlled by Ukrainian troops "indeed has a strategic importance" for Kiev.

Last week, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky visited the Ukraine-controlled part of the Kherson Region and was briefed on the situation in strategically important areas, including in Avdeyevka.

Meanwhile, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Yan Gagin said in mid-October that Ukrainian troops had tried to reinforce their units in Avdeyevka and had deployed reserve forces from the Artyomovsk area. Prior to that, he said that Ukrainian troops had left several positions on the first line of defense near this city.

Ukrainian troops have turned the city of Avdeyevka into their stronghold, using it to shell the cities of Donetsk, Makeyevka, Yasinovataya and their environs.