Undermanned Ukrainian forces repulse assaults by Russian troops in the strategic city of Toretsk as Russia continues its offensive in Eastern Ukraine, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army told Reuters.
There are street battles in Toretsk, Russian troops advance and "completely collapse" buildings and facilities, said Anastasia Bobovnikova, spokeswoman for the "Lugansk" operational-tactical group. "This forces our troops to change their positions, since there is nothing to hold in these sectors. This is a "scorched earth" tactic, added Bobovnikova.
According to military analysts, the capture of Toretsk Hill will allow the Russian army to further block the supply line that connects the operational rear with Ukrainian forces in most of eastern Ukraine. The Russians are also putting pressure on the strategic city of Pokrovsk, which is located at the other end of this route.
Over a thousand residents have remained in Toretsk, but their evacuation is "extremely difficult" because of the indiscriminate Russian shelling, Bobovnikova also said. Before the war, the population of this city amounted to about 60,000 people.