A Royal Navy Sandown-class mine hunter, of the type to be sent to Ukraine<\/p>\n
Russia is launching a \u201cmassive assault action<\/a>\u201d on a key town in eastern Ukraine<\/a> in what appears to be a renewed offensive<\/a>, with 610 artillery shellings reported over the past day.<\/p>\n Military spokesperson Oleksandr Stupun told Ukrainian TV that \u201cfierce battles continue\u201d in Avdiivka<\/a>, a town in Donetsk Oblast known for its coking plant.<\/p>\n \u201cThe enemy launched massive assault actions with the support of armoured vehicles in Avdiivka and Mariinka directions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Earlier, the British Ministry of Defence said up to 40 percent of all combat engagements across the 600-mile frontline were happening in or around Avdiivka.<\/p>\n Serhiy Zhuykov, a Ukrainian section chief who recently rotated out of the town, told The Independent <\/em>over the weekend that he had witnessed \u201cmany, many Russian attacks\u201d.<\/p>\n It comes as the UK announced in tandem with the Norwegian ministry of defence a new Maritime Capability Coalition that will involve the supply of nearly four dozen amphibious vehicles and vessels to Kyiv<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two mine-clearing vessels, 23 raiding crafts and 20 amphibious vehicles are included in the package.<\/p>\n A Ukrainian soldier has described to The Independent <\/em>the \u201cvery difficult\u201d situation facing those fighting in Avdiivka, a small town in eastern Ukraine that has become the flashpoint of the frontline.<\/p>\n Serhiy Zhuykov, a Ukrainian section chief and sniper currently stationed nearby to the town, said: \u201cWe try to stay but there are many, many Russian attacks on our army. It is difficult, very difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n A British Ministry of Defence update from this morning suggested that as much as 40 percent of combat engagements across the frontline at the moment are occurring near Avdiivka.<\/p>\nUkraine soldier says situation in Avdiivka is \u2018very difficult\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n