Russian army motor rifle regiments have been engaged in a brutal fight for three months to capture the town of Selydove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with Russian troops recently capturing and executing Ukrainian prisoners. The killing of prisoners of war is considered a grave international crime under the Geneva Conventions, according to Ukrainian authorities. Russian forces have reportedly executed more than 100 Ukrainian prisoners since the conflict began 32 months ago.
The situation escalated further when Russian marines captured and murdered nine Ukrainian drone operators in the Kursk Oblast. The brutal murders sparked a fierce counterattack from the Ukrainian forces, resulting in heavy casualties for the Russian unit responsible for the killings. Despite the Ukrainian fury at these atrocities, the outnumbered Ukrainian garrison in Selydove is at risk of being overrun, prompting concerns that they may need to retreat to avoid encirclement.
The capture of Selydove is seen as crucial for the Russians if they intend to surround the fortress city of Pokrovsk instead of directly assaulting it. The heavy losses incurred by the Russian units attacking Selydove, including the 433rd Motor Rifle Regiment, are seen as a necessary sacrifice in order to achieve their strategic objectives. The Center for Defense Strategies predicts that the Russian forces are likely to capture Selydove in the coming days, but this does not guarantee the capture of Pokrovsk.
Both Russia and Ukraine are facing challenges in replenishing their respective forces. The Kremlin has been recruiting 30,000 fresh troops a month to make up for losses in Ukraine, as well as deploying North Korean troops in Kursk to free up Russian forces for redeployment. On the other hand, the Ukrainian defense ministry is struggling to mobilize more than 20,000 fresh troops per month, hindering the expansion of its ground combat forces. To address manpower shortages, the national guard’s offensive brigades, including the Kara Dag brigade, have been sent to the front lines.
The Center for Defense Strategies remains confident in the Ukrainian defense of Pokrovsk, citing the strategic importance of the town in halting Russian advances. However, other Ukrainian observers are less optimistic, warning that Ukraine is currently losing the war and that drastic measures are needed to change the negative trend. The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine underscores the devastating toll of war and the challenges faced by both sides in the midst of escalating violence and casualties.
