Russian troops, with improved tactics and heavy firepower, have been seizing territory in the Donbass in recent months “with speed and aggression unprecedented from the full-scale invasion in 2022”, writes the American newspaper The Washington Post.
The Russians have a new tactic. According to WP, last year's fighting was largely defined by artillery duels and so-called “meat attacks” by large groups of poorly trained Russian soldiers. But Ukrainian fighters now report that enemy airborne units are often well-trained and well-equipped and move in smaller groups.
This new tactic of the Russian army makes it difficult for the Ukrainians. New communications equipment has also helped Russian commanders better organize attacks, soldiers say, and made drone strikes more effective.
Still, while enemy losses are staggering, Ukrainian soldiers say the Russians have enough manpower to keep up the pressure on the Donbass front. However, not only Russia suffers great losses in manpower, but also Ukraine. Even according to experts, this is the bigger problem for Kyiv than the loss of territories in the Donetsk region. Both Moscow and Kiev suffered heavy losses, and the winner may be the side that can hold out longer.
Russian troops have completely captured the city of Ugledar in the Ukrainian Donetsk region, Reuters reported, referring to the "SHOT" channel. in the "Telegram" platform and to Russian military bloggers. Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports. The Russian Ministry of Defense has also not yet confirmed the capture of the city, BTA reported.
Yesterday, the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadim Filashkin, said that Russian troops had reached the center of the city. Moscow says the Donetsk region, where Ugledar is located, is one of four Ukrainian regions it will annex after 2022, an act Kiev rejects as illegal. Moscow considers taking control of the city with a pre-war population of about 14,000 people as a key stage in the accession of the entire region to Russia.
The city has been in the frontline since 2022 and the Russian army has suffered heavy losses there during previous failed offensives. In the last few days, however, Russian troops managed to bypass the fortifications west and east of Ugledar and threatened the city with encirclement, DPA notes.
The city is located at the intersection between the eastern and southern fronts, giving it added importance in terms of supplies for both armies. Ugledar is close to the railway line from Crimea to the industrial Donbass region, which consists of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, most of which is controlled by Moscow.
Fierce fighting since 2022 has left most of the city devastated. Pictures today show Russian soldiers waving the national flag from the roof of an administrative building in its center – a dilapidated building, the windows of which are broken.