British Intelligence Ukraine war map as of Nov. 5

As of November 5, recent developments in the Ukraine war indicate significant losses for Russian forces. Over the past three weeks, it is estimated that Russia has lost approximately 200 armored vehicles during its assaults on the Donbas town of Avdiivka.

These losses can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the relative effectiveness of Ukraine’s modern handheld anti-armor weapons, the use of mines, munitions dropped by unmanned aerial vehicles, and precision artillery systems.

In response to these losses, Russian forces have likely shifted their tactics towards conducting dismounted infantry-based assaults in the Avdiivka sector. This change in strategy is reminiscent of the tactical challenges Ukrainian forces faced when they were the attacking force over the summer.

The Avdiivka assaults, like previous Russian offensives, have been characterized by advances across open ground, resulting in high casualties. It is plausible that Russia has incurred several thousand personnel casualties in the vicinity of the town since the beginning of October 2023.

This information highlights Russia’s leadership’s willingness to accept heavy personnel losses for what appear to be marginal territorial gains. The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, with both sides adapting their strategies and tactics as the conflict unfolds.