Ukraine Regains Toretsk Positions Amid Russian Advances
In a recent development in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian forces successfully recaptured lost positions near Toretsk, countering Russian advances in the region. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported this significant shift on 27 January, highlighting the ongoing struggle in the area. Geolocated footage published on 26 January provided a visual representation of the intense military maneuvers occurring near Toretsk.
Russia’s relentless push to seize control of Donetsk Oblast, particularly targeting strategic locations like Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Chasiv Yar, has been a focal point of conflict in eastern Ukraine. The situation escalated dramatically by late summer 2024, with renewed Russian offensives posing a serious threat to Ukrainian strongholds in the region.
Central Chasiv Yar witnessed Russian forces advancing along Myru and Horkoho streets, underscoring the volatile nature of the conflict. Simultaneously, both Ukrainian and Russian forces made significant advances in the Toretsk area, intensifying the ongoing offensive operations. ISW’s analysis of geolocated footage from 26 January indicated a notable Ukrainian advancement in northwestern Toretsk, while subsequent footage from 27 January revealed Russian forces closing in on the Toretska Mine in northern Toretsk.
While Russian forces maintained their offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction on 27 January, ISW did not report any confirmed advances in that area. However, the Kurakhove direction witnessed Russian progress, with geolocated footage capturing their advances in northern Andriivka, located northwest of Kurakhove.
### Heavy Urban Combat in Chasiv Yar and Toretsk Continues
The Khortytsia Grouping of Forces from Ukraine provided a detailed account on 28 January, shedding light on the intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the urban areas of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk. The clashes escalated, with Russian forces launching a barrage of artillery rounds at Ukrainian Defense Forces’ fortifications in Chasiv Yar and Toretsk. The situation remained tense as Russians continued their assault in the Kramatorsk and Toretsk directions, posing a formidable challenge to Ukrainian forces.
A notable incident near Bila Hora witnessed Ukrainian forces successfully repelling a Russian armored attack, with UAVs playing a crucial role in neutralizing enemy threats. Khortytsia reported the destruction of one Russian tank and several infantry fighting vehicles, along with damage to another tank and two armored personnel carriers. Additionally, the Ukrainian forces intercepted and destroyed a five-vehicle Russian convoy near Shcherbynivka, thwarting the enemy’s attempts to reinforce their combat line.
In the Lyman direction, Russians initiated attacks near multiple settlements, including Novoyehorivka, Kopanky, Makiivka, Terny, Zelena Dolyna, Zarichne, and Kolodiaz. Despite the relentless assault, Ukrainian forces managed to hold their ground, preventing any significant territorial gains by the Russian troops. The Pokrovsk direction remained a focal point of contention, with Russian forces engaging in offensive operations without armored support near various locations, including Vodiane Druhe, Zelene Pole, Yelyzavetivka, and several others.
As the conflict in Donetsk Oblast continues to escalate, the resilience and determination of both Ukrainian and Russian forces are put to the test. The ongoing clashes underscore the high stakes involved for both sides, with the outcome of these battles holding significant implications for the broader geopolitical landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving situation in the region.
