The situation is becoming desperate for the Ukrainians on the southern front of Donetsk. Since the fall of the fortified village of Vuhledar at the end of September, the Russian army has descended on the Ukrainians who are rapidly retreating. The same movement is also taking place further north, where Russian troops continue to exploit the Ocheretyne breakthrough and advance towards the strategic town of Pokrovsk. This pincer movement now threatens to close in on the Ukrainian defenders grouped around the town of Kurakhove.
« If the situation was already critical for the city, it became catastrophic during the last week. Russian scouts managed to enter Sontsivka, the town northwest of Kurakhove, breaking the Ukrainian linesalarms Clément Molin, observer of the conflict and co-director of the think tank Atum Mundi. At the same time, the Russian army continued its offensive to the south. Today there is only one road out of Kurakhove », the H15 motorway.
According to his observations, experienced Ukrainian units are fighting and resisting in this Kurakhove pocket. But the flanks, held by less seasoned territorial defense units, are threatened with sinking. “ The enemy continues to implement its large-scale plan to encircle the city from the flanks. The Russians are trying to reach the logistical routes of the Ukrainian forces and this process is only gaining momentum », Also worries Deepstate UA, an information channel close to the Ukrainian army on Telegram.
“A question of time” before the fall of the city
According to this source, the Russians are currently attacking Ukrainian military positions in the north, south and east of the city. “ Their goal is to bypass the city from the flanks and control the H15 Zaporizhia-Donetsk road… At the same time, an unfavorable situation is developing near the settlements of Antonivka, Katerynivka and Yelyzavetivka », three villages which hold the front line south of Kourakhove.
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« Given enemy activity, it is only a matter of time before Kurakhove is lostdeplores Deepstate UA. And if we still can’t solve the flank problem, it will quickly turn into another catastrophe.. »
Three Russian armies operate on this front (the 29th, 68th and 41st) and “ press on the rapidly shrinking Ukrainian salient from three sides », writes Macette Escortert, observer of the conflict on X. Around thirty km² were conquered on Sunday. “ The entire outer wall of Kurakhove is fortified. Russian tactical aviation therefore uses heavy gliding bombs to break through the enclosure.e,” he adds.
A dam destroyed, perhaps to delay the Russians
This Monday, November 11, the dam of a reservoir was destroyed just west of the city without the person responsible being formally known. According to the local Ukrainian governor, it was a Russian attack. But in fact, the rising water and possible flooding of villages in the area will help the Ukrainian defenders.
« With the destruction of the dam, Ukraine wants to prevent Russia from cutting off the town of Kurakhove. This also indicates that their forces had to withdraw from the area north of the city and the lakebelieves Clément Molin. The destruction of the dam indicates that Russia now has firm control over Sontsivka (to the north) and now threatens the H15 highway. Kourakhove’s days or weeks are now numbered… »
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