Toretsk on brink: Russian advances threaten Ukrainian defenses

Russian occupiers are wiping Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast off the face of the earth, using all available weapons. There are no undamaged buildings left in eastern Toretsk after the Russians struck the city with a heavy flamethrower system, reported Ukrainian Major Anastasia Bobovnikova, spokesperson for the “Luhansk” operational-tactical group, according to UkrInform.

The seizure of Toretsk would allow the Russians to advance either towards Pokrovsk or in the Avdiivka direction, towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, reinforcing troops in the Chasiv Yar area, said Ivan Tymochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.

He said the offensive is vital for the Russians, as Niu York and Toretsk are mining towns with well-developed industries where coal is extracted.

“The enemy is currently most active in Toretsk. Overall, the situation in our sectors—Toretsk, Kramatorsk, and Siversk—remains consistently difficult. It has become slightly calm near Chasiv Yar, but this situation can change rapidly. Near Toretsk, active and intense battles are ongoing,” she stated.

When attacking the city, the Russians are using all available means of firepower.

“The city is being erased by artillery and aviation. In the eastern areas, almost no houses remain undamaged, meaning there are no places to take shelter or continue fighting for them,” the military officer reported.

In particular, today, the occupiers struck Toretsk from the air with the heavy flamethrower system TOS.

The officer explained that this is part of the Russian tactic when they first heavily shell a city and then advance with small assault groups.

“They approach comprehensively, using artillery very actively on the front line. Meanwhile, aviation is trying to destroy even our cities located in the rear areas. For example, Kostiantynivka constantly suffers from airstrikes. When they completely erase the city, they bring in small assault groups that start storming and trying to break through our defenses. So it’s a comprehensive approach,” she clarified.

Anastasia Bobovnikova added that the occupiers do not take into account their own losses or civilian casualties when conducting their assaults.

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