Ukraine forced to retreat in key battleground after being 'completely destroyed' by Russia
Ukraine and Russia have both lost thousands of troops in the bloody fighting that started in February 2022.
Ukrainian troops have described the brutality of the fighting in Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, as Russian forces push Kyiv's men back.
The city of Avdiivka is seen as a crucial location because of the entrenchments built there over the last eight years of fighting.
Ukrainian forces have held onto the town despite endless Russian attacks, but this has come at a cost for both sides.
The Ukrainian company’s commander Oleh Sentsov told CNN about his men's failed mission to try and gain ground in the area, describing how his soldiers were "completely destroyed" in the battle.
He said: "We tried to get a forest landing almost one kilometer long. Together with two other assault groups, we attacked three positions.
READ MORE: Ukrainian troops 'encircled' with no ammunition as Russia 'ready to storm' town
"Our assault group had to hold a trench 150-meters wide. We went in, took 50 meters, and could not push further because there was strong resistance by a lot of enemy infantry there.
"Of all the operations my company conducted, this was the first time we failed to complete the mission.
"We were driven out of there because we were not able to hold our positions. So we retreated. Our group withdrew, with injuries but survived. But the other two groups that were attacking at the same time together with us were almost completely destroyed."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelsnksy has branded the fighting in Avdiivka an "onslaught."
He added: "The more Russian forces are destroyed near Avdiivka now, the worse the overall situation and the overall course of this war will be for the enemy."
Vitalii Barabash, the head of the Avdiivka city military administration, also said: "The enemy is assaulting, throwing more and more flesh. The Russians decided to push on. They keep going despite the losses.
“All enemy attacks from the south and north have been repelled. The defense line is holding.
"The military positions are shelled around the clock. Small arms battles continue around the clock."
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a national budget for the next three years that increases spending by around 25 percent.
This includes a record amount of funds for defense spending.
Russia has set aside a huge 36.6 trillion roubles for its war effort going into 2024.
