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Russian forces have significantly intensified their offensive operations near Vuhledar, achieving minor tactical gains in the area. The goal of these operations is to increase pressure on Ukrainian forces and create favorable conditions for further advances in the Pokrovsk direction.
Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported.
Military analysts believe that Russian efforts aim to eliminate the broad Ukrainian salient to the west and southwest of Donetsk, advancing toward the H-15 highway (Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia) and along it.
ISW notes that the coordinated Russian offensive from the southern flank in the Pokrovsk direction toward the western flank of Ukrainian defenses near Vuhledar is likely intended to increase pressure on Ukrainian forces defending in western Donetsk Oblast, setting the stage for further success in the Pokrovsk direction.
The intensification of Russian attacks near Vuhledar does not indicate that the pace of Russian offensives elsewhere in western Donetsk Oblast will slow down in the near future.
On September 4, a Ukrainian airborne brigade released footage showing Ukrainian forces repelling a reinforced Russian mechanized assault involving four tanks and 17 armored vehicles near Kostyantynivka.
Russian forces stepped up their offensive near Vuhledar shortly after expanding the southern flank of the Pokrovsk salient, suggesting that Russian troops aim to conduct complementary offensive operations on the southern flank of the Pokrovsk direction, west of Donetsk, along the 0-0532 road and near Vuhledar.
The Russian command likely seeks to capture Kurakhove and Vuhledar, enabling quicker tactical advantages along the H-15 highway. However, Russian forces are likely to encounter significant challenges.
Despite their efforts, Russian forces will struggle to maintain initiative across eastern Ukraine for an extended period, and the repeated intensification of offensive actions in Donetsk Oblast, alongside the ongoing operational pressure from Ukraine’s incursions into the Kursk region, is likely to cause Russian operations to culminate earlier than planned.
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