Over the weekend, Russian troops made notable advances in the Donetsk region, intensifying the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War.
Key territorial gains were observed in the towns of Leonidivka and Niu York, close to Toretsk, and in Krutyi Yar and Mykhailivka near Pokrovsk. According to the ISW’s Sunday update, these developments indicate significant progress for Russia, contrasting sharply with Ukraine’s more limited successes in the Kursk region earlier this August.
This uptick in Russian activity followed a Ukrainian drone strike on a military depot in Toropets on September 18. The attack resulted in the destruction of North Korean missiles and Russian weapons, igniting a larger fire in the area.
According to Colonel Ants Kiviselg from the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, the Ukrainian strike triggered the explosion of around 30,000 tons of munitions, effectively wiping out two to three months’ worth of Russian ammunition.
The capture of towns near Pokrovsk is particularly significant for Russia, highlighting its commitment to seize control of the city since the beginning of the invasion. Given its strategic importance as a transport hub, Pokrovsk is pivotal for Ukraine’s military logistics in the region.
Ukraine had previously managed to halt Russian advances in Pokrovsk and even recaptured part of Niu York on September 5, following a significant Russian territorial gain in Donetsk the previous month.
Despite some gains in Donetsk, Russian efforts in the Kursk region have reportedly faltered, according to the Moscow Times. Ukrainian official Oleksiy Dmytrashkivsky stated that Russian forces attempted flanking maneuvers but were successfully repelled, stating, “The situation was stabilized and today everything is under control.”
In related news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently visited the U.S. to brief President Biden and Vice President Harris on Ukraine’s “Victory Plan.”