Russian forces have captured and occupied three settlements in eastern Ukraine as part of their push to gain control of the Donetsk region. One of these settlements, Selydove, was under intense Russian pressure over the last few weeks. Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces reported that Russian forces attempted to break through defenses on the Pokrovsk front but were repulsed. Selydove was an important staging area for Ukrainian troops due to its location south of the city of Pokrovsk. The UK Defense Ministry noted that the pace of Russian advances towards Pokrovsk had slowed down since the intensified assault on Selydove at the beginning of October. The Institute for the Study of War also observed that Moscow’s focus on securing Selydove had likely exhausted Russian forces and reduced their combat ability.
The UK Defense Ministry highlighted that Moscow likely aims to use the E50 highway, which connects Selydove and Pokrovsk, as a secondary route of advance to Pokrovsk. However, the Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia’s focus on securing Selydove has come at the expense of their ability to sustain a meaningful offensive drive on Pokrovsk – the Kremlin’s top priority in the area. Despite this, Russian forces have significantly intensified their advances since September, pushing at their fastest rate in a long time. Military observers believe that the Russian command has ordered troops to increase their tempo of mechanized attacks before the onset of muddy ground conditions.
The capture of Selydove raises questions about whether the Ukrainian military managed to withdraw from the area on time to avoid being trapped, and if this opens a southern route towards Pokrovsk for Russian forces. The intensified Russian advances in the region have put pressure on Ukrainian defenses, particularly in these strategic areas. The fact that Russian forces have captured three settlements in the Donetsk region indicates a significant shift in the balance of power in the conflict. The capture of Selydove, in particular, has likely impacted Russian forces’ combat ability and overall offensive strategy in the area.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War highlighted that the capture of Selydove likely exhausted Russian forces and reduced their combat ability, as the focus on securing the settlement came at the expense of other strategic objectives such as Pokrovsk. This indicates a shift in Moscow’s priorities and potentially a setback in their overall strategic plan for the region. Russian forces have been pushing at their fastest rate in a long time, indicating a sense of urgency in their operations. The intensification of the Russian advances signifies a significant escalation in the conflict and poses a challenge to Ukrainian defenses in the region.
The capture of three settlements in the Donetsk region by Russian forces, including Selydove, highlights the evolving dynamics of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The strategic importance of these settlements, particularly in relation to the city of Pokrovsk, underscores the significance of recent developments. The intensified Russian advances suggest a new phase in the conflict, with Moscow’s focus shifting towards securing key areas in the Donetsk region. The impact of these developments on the overall strategic landscape of the conflict remains to be seen, as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the increased tempo of mechanized attacks by Russian forces indicates a sense of urgency in their operations and a desire to make significant gains before adverse weather conditions set in.
