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The State Department said Russia had deployed tear gas and chloropicrin, a “choking agent” that was widely used during World War I. It added that the use of these chemical weapons was “not an isolated incident,” and was probably driven by Russian forces trying to dislodge Ukraine’s soldiers from well-fortified positions.

His unit was on the southern outskirts of Avdiivka, in a well-fortified position called Zenith, which has been on the front lines since Russia first attacked in 2014.

Each street has its own well-fortified and fairly well-protected structures from all attacks, both from the air and artillery, long-term firing points, complex underground communication systems.

“Avdiivka is also a notoriously well-fortified and defended Ukrainian stronghold, which will likely complicate Russian forces’ ability to closely approach or fully capture the settlement,” it added.

Soldiers respond that every kilometer of advance is a herculean feat against a well-fortified enemy.