Russian advance threatens encirclement of key Ukrainian city
Located in the Donetsk region, Selydove is on the brink of collapse. The Russians have reached the outskirts of the village of Vyshneve. Once it is captured, the city will be partially encircled. Ukrainian forces are already planning a retreat, reports Forbes.
11:09 AM EDT, October 27, 2024
According to Forbes, Russian troops are relentlessly pressing on Selydove, attempting to surround the city, which poses an obstacle to their main objective—capturing Pokrovsk.
On Saturday, Russian forces breached Ukrainian defensive lines and pushed south of Selydove. They advanced along an inactive railroad line and reached the village of Vyshneve. If Putin's troops capture this settlement west of Selydove, they will partially encircle the city itself.
As stated by the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies, Ukrainian troops are maintaining their positions in Vyshneve, but this position "may not be strong."
"Forbes" emphasizes that this is typical Russian tactics—partially surrounding a fortified position, in this case, a city—to force defenders to retreat. The magazine cites Vuhledar as an example of such an action.
"The fact that the Russians are on the outskirts of Vyshneve means that Ukrainians in Selydove are likely planning a retreat," it reads.
Pokrovsk as the main objective
However, the main target remains Pokrovsk, which is located to the northwest. The city is an important axis of Ukrainian defense in the region.
The American magazine notes that Pokrovsk is a much more challenging target than Selydove. "The Center for Defense Strategies, therefore, believes that the defense of the city will withstand the winter, and the upcoming battle for Pokrovsk will be the culmination of the enemy's offensive operation," it emphasized.
Gen. Ihor Romanenko assesses that the situation in Selydove itself is already critical and emphasizes that leaving the city may be the only option. The Russians are already breaching Ukrainian positions and organizing further assaults.
