Russia breaks through Donbass front, Ukraine's strategic fortress is at risk of falling

(Dan Tri) - Ukraine's defense line on the Donbass front is at risk 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, an adviser to the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), said the collapse of the Ukrainian army's defenses in the southern Donetsk region opens up the possibility of Russia taking control of the DPR in the coming months.

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

After Russian troops took control of the Ugledar region, the Ukrainian army's defenses south of Krasnoarmeisk (known in Ukraine as Pokrovsk) were on the verge of collapsing, Kimakovsky added, adding that dry weather had facilitated the Russian offensive.

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

The Russian military has repeatedly made claims of progress in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, while the Kiev army has had difficulty dealing with a military force that is stronger in terms of troops and ammunition.

Russian armor and infantry, supported by artillery and aircraft, moved into the city center of Selydove, an important road hub, over the weekend.

The Kyiv Post news site quoted sources as saying that Ukrainian forces are retreating under pressure and are now only holding the northern outskirts of Selydove. Sources said that fighting in Selydove is still going on, but Russian forces are advancing in several places.

Map of Eastern Ukraine (Photo: CSMonitor).

Russian military journalist Simon Pegov confirmed Russia’s control of Selydove and Ivanivka. He said the evacuation of nearby villages, including Hyrnik and Vyshneve, by Ukrainian forces late last week was evidence that Ukraine’s defenses east of the main cities of Pokrovsk and Kurahove were collapsing.

"The rapid advance of the Russian army continues... The Russian army has pushed the Ukrainian garrison out of Selydove and the settlement is being cleared. The completely broken defense system of Ukraine cannot withstand the onslaught of the Russian armed forces for a long time in the neighboring Vyshneve region, which is also under the control of the Russian army," Pegov said in a situation report on October 28.

"To be clear to anyone who is taking Russian advances lightly, these are not normal moves. Ukrainian forces are in disarray and there is now an opportunity for Russia to capitalize on these efforts and take control of key areas," said UkraineControlMap, a volunteer group supporting Ukraine and monitoring the conflict.

In its October 28 combat update, the Ukrainian General Staff said fighting was continuing in Vyshneve and Selydove, but did not mention Ivanivka and Hyrnik. The report confirmed that Russian attacks in the Donbass region were widespread, with more than a 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 region as the main site of Russian attacks in 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow's main goal is to take over and annex the entire Donbass region, including Lugansk and Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine.

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

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

Pokrovsk lies on a key road used by the Ukrainian army to resupply other outposts. Control of the city, seen as the “gateway to Donetsk,” would allow Russia to disrupt Ukraine’s 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