The above information was given by Mr. Igor Kimakovsky, advisor to the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
Assessing Russia's move, Sergei Poletaev, a security analyst in Moscow, said that from a military point of view, Ugledar is an outpost that stabilizes a large part of the front line for the Ukrainian army. Control of Ugledar could help the Russian army intensify its attack on the city of Pokrovsk.
“ Logically, the city is located near the railway line from Donetsk to Mariupol and there is a highway connecting the city with Volnovakha, the outpost connecting to Mariupol ,” Poletaev said.
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| Russia focuses on locking down Ukrainian troops in Ugledar. Photo: AP |
Mariupol is Russia’s main port on the Sea of Azov, so taking control of Ugledar would make it inaccessible to the Ukrainian military. There are at least two coal mines in Ugledar, including Yuzhnodonbasskaya N3, one of the largest in Donbass.
According to him, any mine allows control of the surrounding steppe terrain for kilometers. In addition, mines often have underground facilities, turning them into a small fortress.
“ Now Ugledar can be compared to a cauldron with the lid almost slammed shut ,” Mr. Poletaev emphasized.
“ There are reports in the media that part of the Ukrainian forces stationed in Ugledar have been transferred to Pokrovsk, which means that Kiev has a problem with reserves. Russia’s strategy is to push the Ukrainian armed forces to the brink of depleting their reserves. This invisible process is of strategic importance because it will lead us to victory ,” the security analyst said.
According to Ukrainian government statistics, Ugledar was home to 14,000 people before the conflict broke out. As of February 2024, about 100 people remained, mostly pensioners. They lived in basements. But now the city of Ugledar is severely damaged and abandoned.
Meanwhile, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Countering Disinformation Center (CCD), said the use of air-guided bombs helped Russia advance into Ugledar faster.
“ Ugledar was easy to defend before, as it was located on high ground. But with the massive appearance of air-guided bombs, the enemy was able to destroy the defense lines and move to the flanks. The support of air-guided bombs and aircraft helped the Russian infantry to advance ,” said Kovalenko.
By early September 2024, Russia had made major advances near Ugledar. Russian troops gained advantages near the settlements of Hirnyk and Ukrainsk, advanced towards Kurakhove from the north, and captured the village of Prechystivka, 12 km southwest of Ugledar.
Russian commanders appear to have learned from the mistakes of previous unsuccessful attacks on Ugledar, said Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst at the Finland-based Black Bird Group. Instead of launching direct mechanized attacks, Russian troops are now advancing from the flanks. “ This is basic military logic ,” Kastehelmi noted.
The most important question is whether Ukraine can hold its flanks.
“ Right now, the Russian army is less than 5 kilometers from the main supply line, and the Russian attack points are less than 10 kilometers apart. If Russia only captures a few high-rise buildings, this is not a big problem. But if they can form a flanking encirclement, then Ukraine will be in real danger ,” Mr. Kastehelmi added.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/nga-don-suc-khoa-chat-quan-ukraine-o-ugledar-348381.html
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