ISW: Ukrainians advance near Toretsk, Pokrovsk; Russians gain ground near Chasiv Yar, Kurakhove

On 17 October, the Institute for the Study of War reported recent military operations in eastern Ukraine that have resulted in territorial changes for both Russian and Ukrainian forces.

For over a year, Russia has concentrated on seizing Ukraine-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast, with major attacks repeatedly occurring near Pokrovsk, Selydove, and other towns. Employing frontal assault tactics, Russia sustains heavy losses but continues to make gradual advances.

In Kursk Oblast, Russian forces have made advances on the western side of the Ukrainian salient. Geolocated footage from 17 October shows Russian troops advancing south of Zelenyy Shlyakh, southeast of Korenevo, ISW says.

Along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line in Kharkiv and Lihansk oblasts, intense fighting continues without confirmed changes to the frontline. However, Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that Russian forces have recently advanced to within four kilometers of Kupiansk City. As a result, Ukrainian authorities are evacuating civilians from Kupiansk and surrounding areas.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces have made gains near Chasiv Yar. Geolocated footage from 17 October indicates that Russian troops advanced further into eastern Chasiv Yar during a reinforced platoon-sized mechanized assault. They have also reportedly advanced into the “Block-9” mine southeast of Chasiv Yar.

Ukrainian forces have achieved some success near Donetsk’s Toretsk, with geolocated footage from 15 October showing that they have regained positions in central Toretsk. However, Russian milbloggers claim their forces have advanced up to 2.17 kilometers in depth north of Niu York (Donetsk’s New York), south of Toretsk, though this claim lacks visual confirmation.

The area around Pokrovsk has seen advances by both sides. Geolocated footage from 17 October shows Russian forces making gains in eastern Lysivka, seizing a water treatment facility west of Novohrodivka, and advancing along a windbreak southwest of Selydove. This appears to have been part of a company-sized Russian mechanized assault. Conversely, Ukrainian forces have regained some ground near Mykolaivka, east of Pokrovsk.

Russian forces have also made recent advances east of Kurakhove, with geolocated footage from 11 October showing their progress within Maksymilyanivka.

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