Russian Forces Advance in Western Donetsk Oblast
Russian forces have been making significant gains in western Donetsk Oblast. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian military elements are moving closer to critical Ukrainian defensive positions.
Russia is focusing on capturing the remaining areas of Donetsk Oblast, particularly around the city of Pokrovsk. Despite heavy losses, Russian forces continue to use frontal attacks to push forward, making incremental gains. In some areas, Ukrainian forces are outnumbered 8:1 by Russian troops, forcing them to retreat.
New Advances Reported
Geolocated footage has revealed elements of the Russian 5th Tank Brigade advancing to the eastern outskirts of Velyka Novosilka. Milbloggers have also reported advances northeast and southeast of the settlement. The Russian military is concentrating efforts on eliminating a small pocket east of the O0510 Kurakhove-Velyka Novosilka road.
Seizure of Key Settlements
The capture of key settlements like Velyka Novosilka would allow Russian forces to threaten Hulyaipole and Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukrainian Volunteer Army Spokesperson Serhiy Bratchuk highlighted the importance of Velyka Novosilka as a crucial logistics point.
Tactical Gains, Not Collapse
While these advances are tactically significant, they do not automatically indicate a complete Ukrainian frontline collapse. The Russian military would need to seize over 8,000 square kilometers to achieve their objective of controlling the entire Donetsk Oblast.
Operational Strategies
The current Russian advances demonstrate potential operational strategies, including pushing west along the H15 highway and bypassing Velyka Novosilka to threaten Ukrainian ground lines of communication. However, the success of these maneuvers depends on continued coordination between Eastern and Southern Military District command elements.
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