MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. The situation in the Avdeyevka area remains extremely complicated, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 3rd separate assault brigade, which was earlier the Azov nationalist formation (designated as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia), said.

"The combat situation remains highly challenging," the brigade wrote on its Telegram channel, commenting on the situation in the Avdeyevka area.

Earlier, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky described the situation as challenging along almost the entire line of engagement. He said that Russia’s forces "continue their offensive operations, focusing their main efforts in the areas of Terny, Ivanovskoye, Berdychi, Tonenkoye, Verbovoye and Rabotino."

On February 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a state of the nation address that Russian troops held the initiative and were advancing in some operational areas, liberating more territories.