Russian forces intensify offensive to cut key Ukrainian route
On Thursday, according to information conveyed by the Ukrainian General Staff, there were 181 clashes with Russian forces on the front line in Ukraine, with the majority occurring towards Pokrovsk—56 incident reports in particular. Meanwhile, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have also intensified attacks on Vuhledar and aimed to seize control of the H-15 route, which connects Donetsk with Zaporizhzhia.
The Russian army has intensified offensive actions near Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, aiming to eliminate a broad bulge in the front line created by Ukrainian forces to the west and southwest of Donetsk, according to ISW. They are also attempting to control the H-15 route that connects Donetsk with Zaporizhzhia, ISW assesses in its latest report.
According to analysts, coordinated offensive actions stretching from the southern flank of the Pokrovsk direction to the western flank of Ukrainian defences near Vuhledar aim to increase pressure on Ukrainian forces and further develop the attack on the Russian priority target of Pokrovsk.
Around Vuhledar, intensified Russian attacks have so far brought limited tactical gains, including entry into the village of Prechystivka, near Vuhledar. According to Russian sources, Russian forces continue actions towards another village, Zolota Nyva.
Putin wants to capture the entire Donetsk region
ISW emphasizes that Russian troops are also active on other sections of the front southwest and west of Donetsk. Intensifying attacks near Vuhledar in the near term will not mean a weakening on other sections.
The Washington think tank also notes recent statements by Vladimir Putin, who, according to analysts, "continues to downplay the operational effects of the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region for the entire theatre of operations and continues efforts to convince the Russian people that the delayed and disorganized Kremlin response to the Kursk operation is an acceptable price for further Russian advancements in the Donetsk region."
Putin stated on Thursday, at 9:00 AM ET, that the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region failed to force the redeployment of Russian forces from the Donetsk region and halt the Russian offensive on "key sections." He named the main goal as capturing the entire Donetsk region. ISW assesses that "Putin's words that the Kursk invasion had no operational impact on the situation are untrue."
