Russian troops now control eastern and southeastern Toretsk, a strategic city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian military officials report. The situation remains fluid, with fierce street-by-street combat ongoing.

The Russian offensive on Toretsk, which began in June, threatens to open new advance routes towards key Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk Oblast, such as Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. Toretsk’s potential fall, following Ukraine’s earlier withdrawal from Vuhledar, would mark another significant setback in the region.

“We’re fighting for every doorway, every street,” said Anastasia Bobovnikova, spokesperson for the Luhansk Operational-Tactical Group, in a TV interview. 

She noted that while Russians occupy parts of the city, Ukrainian forces continue to resist in other areas.

Russian forces employ small infantry groups of 5-7 soldiers supported by mortars, artillery, and drones. This tactic, leveraging Russia’s substantial manpower, has proven effective despite high casualties.

Ukrainian military has prepared fortifications near Toretsk for a potential withdrawal, but Bobovnikova insists that Russian forces won’t achieve their broader objectives of fully occupying Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the near term.

Read more:

• Russian troops advance in Toretsk, gaining foothold on two streets
• Frontline report: Toretsk becomes kill zone as Ukraine launches counterattacks in high-rises
• Russian advances threaten Ukrainian defenses in Toretsk