The RF troops will use the advance to Toretsk to intensify the offensive in this direction – ISW

Russian forces recently advanced into the northwestern part of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, following weeks of intensified Russian offensive operations and gains in the area, according to a Jan. 7 report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Russian troops intensified offensive operations in the Toretsk direction in June 2024, probably with the aim of reducing the Ukrainian presence in this area and depriving Ukrainian forces of the opportunity to shell the rear Russian areas in the direction of Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk, on which the main efforts of the Russians were concentrated at that time “, the report states.

It is noted that the forces of the Russian Federation seem to be changing the tactics of the assault in Toretsk in order to secure tactical advantages in the settlement. Analysts add that the Russian troops are likely to use the overwhelming number of personnel to intensify offensive actions and advance within Toretsk.

Also, according to ISW, the Russian army intends to use its successes to advance west from Toretsk and Shcherbynivka and along the T-05-16 Toretsk-Kostiantynivka road towards the southernmost point of the Ukrainian fortification belt at Kostiantynivka.

“Such an advance will complicate Ukraine’s ability to launch a counterattack in the near rear of Russian forces southeast of Chasovoy Yar, including in the direction of Klishchiivka, and will allow Russian troops to deploy additional artillery systems within the reach of Kostiantynivka, as well as use drones with a first-person view ( UAV) within reach of the city. Russian troops may also try to advance to the west and northwest of New York and Leonidivka in the direction of highways N-20 Donetsk – Kostiantynivka and N-32 Pokrovsk – Kostiantynivka, in order to squeeze Kostiantynivka from the south and create a more stable southern flank for the offensive on Kostiantynivka.” , – say in ISW.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Russian forces would try to break out of the urban encirclement of Toretsk and advance into more open rural areas similar to those where Russian forces have made significant gains elsewhere along the front in recent months, but that Russian forces are unlikely to pose a significant threat to Kostyantynivka, unless the Russian military command reinforces the existing grouping of troops in the area with troops from other areas of the front.

According to the General Staff, in the past day in the Toretsk direction, Russian troops stormed the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine seven times in the area of ​​the Toretsk settlement.