The Ukrainian military reports that the Russian army is advancing towards the eastern Ukrainian city of Selydove and could potentially take control of the city within a matter of days. Russian forces have launched nearly two dozen attacks on the town, with the Institute for the Study of War confirming significant tactical advances made by Moscow in recent days. However, the focus on securing Selydove has hindered Russia’s ability to sustain an offensive drive on the city of Pokrovsk, which is a key priority for the Kremlin in the region. Geolocated footage shows that Russian forces have advanced towards the center of Selydove, potentially forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw to avoid being trapped.
Despite the potential for Russian forces to take control of Selydove in the coming days, it is uncertain whether this would lead to the capture of Pokrovsk. The ISW suggests that the capture of Selydove may have exhausted Russian forces and reduced their combat ability, impacting their capacity to pivot towards Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s office reported that Russian soldiers killed four captured Ukrainian servicemen near Selydove. The soldiers were fighting near the town when they were taken prisoner during a Russian attack on October 6. Their bodies were discovered after Ukrainian forces recaptured the positions on October 7, prompting an investigation by the Prosecutor General’s office into the incident.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense as Russian forces continue to advance towards Selydove, with the potential to gain control over the city in the near future. The focus on securing Selydove has diverted resources from the offensive on Pokrovsk, creating uncertainty about Russia’s ability to make further strategic gains in the region. The killing of four captured Ukrainian servicemen by Russian soldiers near Selydove has raised concerns about human rights violations and war crimes committed by Russian forces in the conflict. The incident has prompted an investigation by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s office to hold those responsible accountable.
The Ukrainian military’s assessment of the situation in eastern Ukraine highlights the strategic importance of cities like Selydove and Pokrovsk in the ongoing conflict. The potential capture of Selydove by Russian forces could have significant implications for the balance of power in the region and the ability of Ukrainian troops to hold their positions. The reported killing of captured Ukrainian servicemen near Selydove underscores the brutality of the conflict and raises concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war by Russian forces. The international community will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure accountability for any violations of international law.
As the Russian army continues to advance towards Selydove, the Ukrainian military remains on alert and closely monitoring the situation. The potential for Russian forces to take control of the city within days poses a significant challenge for Ukrainian troops, who may be forced to withdraw to avoid being surrounded. The impact of the capture of Selydove on the broader conflict in eastern Ukraine remains uncertain, with questions about Russia’s ability to sustain further offensive drives in the region. The killing of captured Ukrainian servicemen near Selydove highlights the human cost of the conflict and the need for accountability for those responsible for violations of international law.
