Russia's offensive on the Donbass front puts Ukraine's strategic stronghold at risk of falling.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Ukraine's defenses on the Donbass front are in danger of collapsing as Russia has advanced rapidly in recent weeks.

Russian military forces (Photo: Sputnik).

In a live broadcast on Soloviev Live TV on October 28, Igor Kimakovsky, advisor to the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), stated that the collapse of the Ukrainian army's defenses in the southern Donetsk region opens the possibility of Russia gaining control of the DPR in the coming months.

"Donetsk will be under control, and I believe that we will reach this milestone in a few months. I know this for sure; I see and feel it along the front lines," Tass news agency quoted Kimakovsky as saying.

After Russian troops gained control of the Ugledar region, the Ukrainian army's defenses south of Krasnoarmeisk (which Ukraine calls Pokrovsk) are on the verge of collapse. Kimakovsky added that the dry weather has facilitated the Russian advance.

"The Ukrainian army is on the defensive and there are practically no reserves," said an advisor to the head of the DPR.

The Russian military has repeatedly claimed to have made progress in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv's forces are struggling to cope with a military force superior in numbers and ammunition.

Russian armored vehicles and infantry, supported by artillery and aircraft, moved through the center of Selydove, a key road hub, over the past weekend.

The Kyiv Post, citing sources, reported that Ukrainian forces are retreating under pressure and are currently only holding the northern outskirts of Selydove. The sources said that fighting continues in Selydove, but Russian forces are advancing in multiple locations.

Map of eastern Ukraine (Image: CSMonitor).

Russian military journalist Simon Pegov confirmed the possibility of Russia controlling Selydove and Ivanivka. He stated that the evacuation of Ukrainian forces from nearby villages, including Hyrnik and Vyshneve, last weekend was evidence that Ukraine's defensive line east of the major cities of Pokrovsk and Kurahove was collapsing.

"The rapid advance of the Russian army continues… The Russian army has pushed Ukrainian garrison out of Selydove and the settlement is being cleared. Ukraine’s completely broken defenses cannot withstand the intense offensive of the Russian armed forces for an extended period in the neighboring Vyshneve region, which is also under Russian control," Pegov reported in his situation report on October 28.

The Ukrainian volunteer group UkraineControlMap, which monitors the conflict, stated: "To clarify for anyone underestimating the Russian advances, these are not normal moves. Ukrainian forces are in disarray, and there is now an opportunity for Russia to capitalize on these efforts and gain control of key areas."

In its October 28th update on the situation, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that fighting continued in Vyshneve and Selydove, but made no mention of Ivanivka and Hyrnik. The report confirmed that Russian offensives in the Donbass region were widespread, with more than one-third of all frontline fighting in the past 24 hours taking place in the Porkovsk-Kurahove area.

In late spring, Ukrainian military intelligence identified this area as the site of major Russian offensives in 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow's primary goal is to take over and annex the entire Donbass region, including Lugansk and Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine.

Military analysts say Pokrovsk is a key target for Russia because the area has metallurgical plants and coal mines, while Kurhaove is home to the region's main power plant.

The Pokrovsk logistics center, located in the Ukrainian-controlled area, is considered a "fortress," key to Ukraine's eastern defense system and connecting it to other important fortified cities.

Pokrovsk lies on a crucial route used by the Ukrainian army to resupply other outposts. Controlling the city, considered the "gateway to Donetsk," would allow Russia to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-cong-pha-mat-tran-donbass-phao-dai-chien-luoc-ukraine-nguy-co-that-thu-20241028193055651.htm