Russian forces are attacking on eight fronts in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine and are readying to encircle the strategic city of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian media report.
Moscow’s forces continue offensive operations towards the cities of Kurakhove and Chasiv Yar and are making gains within Toretsk, the RBC Ukraine news service wrote, citing reports by the U.S. military think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The American non-profit cited geolocation evidence as showing Russia had advanced in the north and northwest of Toretsk.
It also said Russia had attacked in the direction of Pokrovsk, an important military supply hub for Ukrainian forces, while Polish Radio reported that Russian forces are readying the city’s “operational encirclement.”
RBC wrote that, despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s stated priority of stabilizing the frontline in January, Ukrainian forces had only managed to hold back Russian advances in a few places.
Polish Radio said the battle of Pokrovsk had “actually already begun” as Russian forces had directed their efforts toward the city after taking control of Kurakhove and already controlled a key road to the west.
RBC Ukraine said the start date of the battle for Pokrovsk would depend on how long Ukraine could hold out in the area. Many experts had predicted Pokrovsk’s fall by September 2024, but Russian forces remain four kilometers from the city, RBC said.
While Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine, they are also trying to expel the Ukrainian army from Russia’s southeastern Kursk region, which they entered last September.
ISW said Russian offensive operations had continued in the Kursk Oblast but that no advances had been made on Wednesday. However, Polish Radio reported that Russia is having greater success in Kursk than previously due to the presence of North Korean troops.
RBC commented that Ukraine is not currently in a strong negotiating position but cited unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces do not rule out further offensive operations with a view to strengthening their hand ahead of anticipated peace talks.
The American non-profit cited geolocation evidence as showing Russia had advanced in the north and northwest of Toretsk.
It also said Russia had attacked in the direction of Pokrovsk, an important military supply hub for Ukrainian forces, while Polish Radio reported that Russian forces are readying the city’s “operational encirclement.”
RBC wrote that, despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s stated priority of stabilizing the frontline in January, Ukrainian forces had only managed to hold back Russian advances in a few places.
Polish Radio said the battle of Pokrovsk had “actually already begun” as Russian forces had directed their efforts toward the city after taking control of Kurakhove and already controlled a key road to the west.
RBC Ukraine said the start date of the battle for Pokrovsk would depend on how long Ukraine could hold out in the area. Many experts had predicted Pokrovsk’s fall by September 2024, but Russian forces remain four kilometers from the city, RBC said.
The Kursk incursion
While Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine, they are also trying to expel the Ukrainian army from Russia’s southeastern Kursk region, which they entered last September.
ISW said Russian offensive operations had continued in the Kursk Oblast but that no advances had been made on Wednesday. However, Polish Radio reported that Russia is having greater success in Kursk than previously due to the presence of North Korean troops.
RBC commented that Ukraine is not currently in a strong negotiating position but cited unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces do not rule out further offensive operations with a view to strengthening their hand ahead of anticipated peace talks.
