File image.
The Russian military captured two settlements, one in Zaporozhye and another in Donetsk, on January 31, dealing Kiev forces a double blow.
In Zaporozhye, the Vostok [East] Group of Forces captured Petrovka, located to the northwest of the key city of Huliaipole, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, which said that the attack on the settlement was led by the 5th Combined Arms Army’s 127th Division.
“Servicemen from Primorye developed the advancement of Russian troops in the area, knocked the enemy out of strongholds, and took hold of the occupied lines. An area of defence of up to 5 square kilometres has been taken under control. Russian troops mopped up surrounding forest belts and defence centres, which provided the enemy the chance of the retention of the settlement,” the ministry said in a statement.
Kiev forces lost “10 pieces of hardware and a large number of manpower” while attempting to hold onto Petrovka, which is also known as Sviatopetrivka, pre the ministry.
“Enemy attempts to hold the settlement at the expense of the redeployment of reserves were unsuccessful: AFU hardware along with manpower were neutralised on the approaches,” the ministry added.
The capture of the settlement increased pressure on Kiev forces in Staroukrainka and Zaliznychne, which have been under attack for the last few weeks. It also brought Russian troops to the outskirts of Krynychky and Tsvitkove. Fighting in these two settlements could start soon.
The main goal of Russian operations in this direction in Zaporozhye is to reach and cut the T-0408 highway, one of the main supply routes of the key city of Orikhiv.
In Donetsk, another settlement, Toretskoye, was captured by the Tsentr [Center] Group of Forces, according to the Russian MoD.
The settlement is located to the northwest of the key city of Kostiantynivka. Russian troops resumed their advance there earlier this month, mainly to increase pressure on the city of Druzhkivka, the main logistic and command hub for Ukrainian troops fighting in Kostiantynivka.
The 150th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army led the attack on Toretskoye, and is now reportedly advancing to the northwest of the settlement.
It’s worth noting that Russian troops expanded their control in the southern part of Kostiantynivka in recent days, despite facing a wave of Ukrainian counterattacks.
All in all, the capture of Petrovka and Toretskoye shows that the Russian military is still advancing despite poor weather conditions. Ukraine’s source problem, especially the shortage of manpower, has clearly worsened and by spring, fighting will likely be taking place near Orikhiv and deep in Kostiantynivka.
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russia will continue because it must. europes top diplomant kaja kalis still issues propaganda rhetoric daily
usa & nato will deliver a double-dong up russia’s azz!
heheheeh