The Washington Institute for the Study of War has assessed whether the capture of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region by Russian troops will have a significant impact on the course of their offensive in Donetsk.
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Photo – AP Photo/LIBKOS
The analytical material from ISW notes that Putin’s army has probably captured Ugledar, but the occupation of the city is unlikely to radically change the course of the Russian Armed Forces’ offensive in the Donetsk region, NBN reports.
American experts write that some Russian war correspondents do not expect the front line to collapse after the “second army of the world” takes Vuhledar. They believe that the city must be completely cleared so that it can be used as a springboard for new attacks, and the invaders must take into account the defensive positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the northeast of the settlement.
According to analysts, the occupation of Vuhledar will not have a major impact on the course of the offensive in the western part of Donetsk region, in particular because the city is not a particularly important logistical hub.
In addition, the settlement is located about 30 kilometers south of the current efforts of Putin's army in the direction of Pokrovsk. Therefore, to support these offensive actions, the Russian Armed Forces need to maneuver 30 kilometers across open terrain.
ISW drew attention to the comment of the “adviser to the head of the DPR” Igor Kimakovsky. Pushilin's ally stated that the dirt road along which Ukrainian forces could retreat from the city will soon become unusable due to mud. He is convinced that the Russians will face the same problem during mechanized attacks.
Recall that the head of the CPD responded to a video of the occupiers installing the Russian flag in Ugledar.