Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 609
GuardianOCT 2023
Russia Launches Major Offensive in Eastern Ukraine
Image copyright: Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
With Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin's birthday on Oct. 7, Ukraine's intelligence services were aware of the coming attack on Avdiivka — meant as a present for him. This, along with the fact that forces told the locals of their plans in their downtime, meant Ukraine's forces were fully prepared and are now repelling and destroying the enemy attack.
Pro-Russia narrative
In an offensive supported by aircraft, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems, Russia continues to improve its positions in the Avdiivka direction and continues to gain ground.