This article was originally published in English
Russian troops have intensified attacks in several areas of the Eastern Front, attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region towards the towns of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.
ADVERTISEMENT
Russian forces are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region towards the towns of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.
According to available geotagged images and reports from Ukrainian forces on the ground, Moscow's troops recently advanced with two mechanized assault units south of Kurakhove.
They have progressed in particular in the north and north-east of Dalne and in the fields located to the east and south-east of the town.
The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Russian advances near Dalne were likely aimed at circumventing the series of settlements north of Vuhledar along the highway, which would have could represent a significant challenge.
The think tank believes that further Russian advances in Dalne and the west of the town could force Ukrainian forces to withdraw from their positions in the pocket north and northeast of Vuhledar.
This would allow Russian forces to advance along the highway relatively freely and increase pressure on Ukrainian positions in Kurakhove from the south.
Over the summer, the Kremlin focused its efforts on advancing toward Pokrovsk, a major logistics center in the western part of the Donetsk region. Russian forces captured the nearby town of Novohrodivka in August and are currently within 7 kilometers of Pokrovsk. kyiv sent reinforcements to try to slow Russia's advance.
Russia could intensify its assaults in Zaporizhia
Ukrainian military officials warn that Russian forces could intensify their assaults in the Zaporizhia region in the near future.
Spokesman for Ukraine's Tavriisk Group of Forces, Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, said Russian forces were moving trained assault groups to forward positions in the occupied Zaporizhia region.
However, it is unclear whether the Russian military intends to carry out a unified offensive operation or separate assaults.
Voloshyn said Russian forces are concentrated near Kamyanske, northwest of Robotyne and south of the town of Zaporizhia, Hulyaipole, northeast of Robotyne, and Robotyne itself.
Moscow has increased the number of its airstrikes in southern Ukraine by 30 to 40 percent over the past two to three weeks.
Additional sources • ISW
