Ukrainian forces are employing a dramatic demolition strategy in Toretsk, deliberately collapsing entire high-rise buildings occupied by Russian troops as part of their counter-offensive operations, Forbes reports.

The Russian offensive on Toretsk, launched in June, threatens to create new advancement routes toward key Ukrainian strongholds – Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. If Toretsk falls following Ukraine’s withdrawal from Vuhledar, it will mark another significant regional setback for Ukrainian forces.

In early October, open-source intelligence analysts identified a pattern of Ukrainian strikes in Toretsk’s central high-rise district, followed by infantry assaults.

According to Forbes, this combined arms approach has yielded modest territorial gains for Ukrainian forces in the city of 35,000.

The Ukrainian 101st Guard Brigade has released footage showing drone strikes on Russian forces in doorways, apartments, and rooftops.

Forbes reports that in at least one instance, “The Russians fortified at least one highrise, compelling the Ukrainians to drop the entire building with explosive charges.”

While Ukrainian forces make limited advances in Toretsk, Russian forces continue progressing in other directions of Donetsk Oblast.

Russians have captured Selydove and are making gains west of Donetsk city, potentially forcing Ukrainian forces to abandon Kurakhove and destroy bridges over the Vovcha River.

According to the ISW, footage from October 27-28 showed Russian forces moving into positions north of Selydove, within Vyshneve, and near Novodmytrivka.

For over a year, Russia has concentrated on seizing the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk Oblast, with major attacks repeatedly occurring near Pokrovsk, Selydove, and other towns.

Ukrainian analytical project Deep State also reported on 29 October that Russian forces have advanced near five settlements in the Donetsk Oblast. According to the project, Russia managed to advance in Novoselidivka, Bohoyavlenka, Katerynivka, near Horoshne and Shakhtarske in Donetsk Oblast.

Read also:

• ISW: Ukrainian forces advanced in Kursk Oblast, near Toretsk and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast
• Ukrainian military: Russian assaults slow on three fronts as strategic Toretsk stabilizes
• Ukrainian military says Russian forces amass troops for new assaults on Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast