Ukrainian soldiers successfully repelled attacks along the war frontline at Avdiivka on Tuesday as a new offensive from Russian soldiers erupted near the eastern Ukraine town, officials said. “I can add that our defenders on the Avdiivka front repelled all the attacks of the enemy, no losses of lines and positions were sustained,” colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesperson of the joint press centre of defence forces, said. He confirmed an escalation of Russian military offensive actions on the same front. He said Ukrainian forces repelled attacks in Keramika, Ocheretyne, Berdychiv, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Tonenke, Avdiivka, and Pervomaiske in Donetsk oblast. Around three Russian battalions launched a ground assault on Monday on the eastern town which remained one of the most heavily fortified areas of Donetsk oblast, officials in Ukraine confirmed. "The invaders also launched air strikes near Berdychiv and Avdiivka. From the morning till now, the civilian infrastructure of Avdiivka and the settlements in the Pokrovske district around it are periodically shelled. Avdiivka was bombarded from tubed artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems,” he said in a national telecast. Ukrainian officials have confirmed that they view Russian attacks along the Andiivka and Donetsk city as active enemy efforts to prevent them from moving forces to Zaporizhzhia. In fresh signs of escalation, Russian tanks and armoured personnel were also seen moving towards Ukrainian lines which were backed by air strikes around 5am on Tuesday morning, reported Kyiv Post citing multiple sources. According to the Ukraine’s general staff of the Armed Forces, Russia targeted more than 130 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblast with artillery fire. It added that Ukrainian defence forces saw success in the areas east of Klishchiivka and Andriivka. The defence by Kyiv’s troops continued in the south of Bakhmut in Donetsk oblast. In the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Air Force carried out 11 air strikes on Russian positions of concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment and nine air strikes on the anti-aircraft missile system used by Russia. A Russian Su-25 fighter jet and seven drones were also shot down, along with successful attacks on Russian ammunition depot, command post, artillery systems among other critical Russian infrastructure, the general staff said in the latest war update on Wednesday. According to the Russian military bloggers, Moscow’s actions in the Avdiivka area operations were aimed at capturing the city Ukraine took back just last month, the Institute for the Study of War said. They claimed Russian forces wanted to encircle Ukrainian troops. “A successful encirclement of Avdiivka – one of the most heavily fortified areas of the Donetsk Oblast front line – would very likely require more forces than Russia has currently dedicated to the Avdiivka-Donetsk City effort,” it said in its latest assessment. Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Moscow fails in bid to return to UN’s top human rights body Russia will only resume nuclear tests if the US does it first, a top Russian diplomat says Ukraine's Zelenskyy visits neighboring Romania to discuss security and boost ties Russia faces a tough fight to regain its seat in the UN's top human rights body

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Women’s world champions Spain have been plunged into further chaos after players refused call-ups to their latest squad. Fifteen World Cup winners were included in the squad for the Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland, despite saying they would boycott international duty. A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, indicated three weeks ago that they would not play for Spain again while Luis Rubiales remained Spanish football federation (RFEF) president as a result of his behaviour at the final. Rubiales caused a huge controversy after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso – who has been left out of the latest squad – on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 victory over England. Hermoso insists she did not consent to the kiss. Amid increasing pressure, Rubiales finally resigned from his post last week, but 39 players, including 21 World Cup winners, released a statement on Friday saying that was not enough to trigger their return to national-team duty. The players said they were not yet “in a safe place” to return and that the problems at the RFEF ran far deeper than Rubiales. However, despite their pledge to boycott, many were still named in Monday’s squad by new head coach Montse Tome, who said Hermoso had been left out for her own protection. In response, the players released a statement on Monday night which read: “What was expressed in our statement of September 22, 2023, makes clear and without any option for another interpretation our firm will not to be summoned for justified reasons. These statements are still fully valid. “During the days following that statement, we want to make it known to the public that nothing different has been transmitted to any member of the RFEF, so we expressly ask that the information transmitted publicly be rigorous. “As elite professional players and after everything that has happened today, we will study the possible legal consequences to which the RFEF exposes us by putting us on a list from which we had asked not to be called for reasons already explained publicly and in more detail to the RFEF, and with this make the best decision for our future and for our health. “It does seem relevant to us to point out, in this sense, that the call has not been made in a timely manner, in accordance with article 3.2 of annex one of FIFA’s regulations on the status and transfer of players, so we understand that the RFEF is not in a position to require us to go.” New head coach Tome said Spain were still “counting on” Hermoso, despite her omission from their first squad since lifting the World Cup. “We stand with Jenni,” she told a press conference. “We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni. “It’s the start of a new phase, the clock is ticking. There is nothing behind us and we really want to connect with these players.” Rubiales has been banned from going within 200 metres of Hermoso as the national court in Madrid considered a complaint of sexual assault, something the 46-year-old denies. Tome had been due to name her squad on Friday, but the announcement had to be delayed. Barcelona’s Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, who were not included in Spain’s World Cup party after signing a letter protesting against former manager Jorge Vilda, who was sacked during the fallout of Rubiales’ actions, were included in Monday’s squad. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Taulupe Faletau: Belief and confidence key for Wales at World Cup Joe Marler says England more interested in winning than playing with ‘finesse’ Callum Hudson-Odoi scores brilliant debut goal to earn Forest draw with Burnley

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Brentford have savagely roasted Chelsea on TikTok after they beat their West London rivals in the Premier League on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. The Blues' stuttering start to the 23/24 season continued on Saturday afternoon when despite having the majority of possession and chances still managed to lose to the Bees. A header from Ethan Pinnock, against the run of play, opened the scoring on 58 minutes. Chelsea then strived to get an equaliser which resulted in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez going up for a corner in added on time. However, this backfired as Brentford were able to spring a breakaway counterattack allowing Bryan Mbuemo to slot home into an empty net and give Thomas Frank's side all three points. This was in fact the third season in a row that Brentford have won at Chelsea and ended their streak of three away games without a win having dropped points against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. Brentford indeed noted this unique record that they hold over Chelsea in a rather savage TikTok post. In the video, which is soundtracked by a rendition of 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' from the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the Bees note their poor away record. The song, which jokingly starts off badly, is overlayed with Brentford's prior away results. However, the song improves as Brentford note that they are 'Going back to Stamford Bridge' as we see Mbuemo score the decisive goal. @brentfordfc Visit TikTok to discover videos! The TikTok has been viewed 1.8 million times at the time of writing. It will certainly make painful viewing for Chelsea, with some Brentford players enjoying more wins at Stamford Bridge than many of the Blues squad members. Chelsea have only won once at home in the league this season beating Luton Town 3-0 back in August. In the calendar year Chelsea have won just six times at Stamford Bridge as a rebuild under numerous different managers still struggles to ignite. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

BEIJING China's central bank said on Friday it will step up macro policy adjustments, and implement prudent monetary