For three months, Russian army motor rifle regiments have been engaged in a brutal fight to capture the town of Selydove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The fighting has resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with Russian troops recently capturing and killing Ukrainian prisoners of war, a violation of the Geneva Conventions. The frequency of these atrocities has increased as Russian losses along the front line have spiked to more than 1,000 per day. The killing of nine Ukrainian drone operators by Russian marines has sparked a fierce Ukrainian counterattack.
The Ukrainian garrison in Selydove, including the survivors of the Kara Dag Brigade, may soon be forced to retreat as Russian forces advance and capture key positions around the town. The capture of Selydove is crucial for the Russians if they are to surround Pokrovsk, a fortress city in eastern Ukraine. Despite the heavy losses incurred by Russian forces, they continue to recruit fresh troops and deploy reinforcements from other sectors to maintain their assault on Selydove.
The Ukrainian defense ministry is struggling to mobilize fresh troops to counter the Russian advance, leading to the deployment of national guard brigades, normally tasked with internal security, to the front lines. The Center for Defense Strategies believes that the Ukrainians can hold Pokrovsk, crucial for maintaining supply lines to the eastern front. However, other observers are less optimistic, warning that Ukraine is currently losing the war against Russia unless drastic measures are taken to address the situation.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains dire, with ongoing fighting resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Russian forces continue to push forward in their assault on Selydove, despite facing resistance from the Ukrainian garrison in the town. The capture of Selydove is seen as a strategic objective for the Russians, who are willing to accept heavy losses in their efforts to surround Pokrovsk.
The Ukrainian defense ministry’s struggles in mobilizing fresh troops to counter the Russian advance highlight the challenges faced by Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. The deployment of national guard brigades to the front lines indicates the severity of the situation and the need for reinforcements. The fate of Selydove and its impact on the broader conflict in eastern Ukraine remains uncertain as both sides continue to engage in fierce fighting.
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine drags on, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely. The killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces has drawn condemnation from Ukrainian authorities, who have labeled it a grave international crime. The ongoing battle for Selydove and its potential impact on the broader conflict highlights the high stakes involved in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
