After unsuccessful attempts to break through Avdiivka’s powerful, fortress of defenses, Russia tried again in October of 2023, with the goal of encircling the city. In what would become a drawn out, several month-long slog, Russia threw thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles and tanks at the city, in constant waves the Ukrainians described as zombies. While the Ukrainians managed to hold the city for months, particularly the control of the city’s incredibly strategic coke plant, it quickly became clear that this was a losing battle. Russians continued to gain ground and advantaged, fitting their bombs with UMPK kits, turning them into guided glide bombs that allowed them to assault Ukrainian positions with constant bombings. Knowing they couldn’t keep their hold on the city, Ukraine held on as long as possible, outgunned and outnumbered, to force Russia to burn as many resources as possible in capturing the city.