What will happen if Russia captures Vuhledar: ISW analysts explain the risks
Date: 2024-09-25 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The occupation forces have reached the outskirts of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region, but this is unlikely to give them any special operational advantage for a further offensive in the western part of the region.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Russians are trying to break through the north-eastern flank of Vuhledar through Vodyane and the south-western flank through Prechystovka. In this way, the enemy hopes to encircle the Ukrainian troops and force them to leave the city.
According to analysts, the enemy may be able to capture all of Vuhledar, but the speed and ease of their advance will partly depend on the decisions made by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. If they decide to defend Vuhledar, it may be difficult for the Russians to fight for a settlement whose defenses have been strengthened for two years.
If the occupation army does not take the city relatively quickly, their maneuver along the flanks of Vuhledar may suffer due to the onset of autumn rains.
According to ISW experts, even if the Russians capture this settlement, it is unlikely to radically change the course of offensive operations in the west of Donetsk Oblast, since Vuhledar is not a particularly important logistical hub. At the same time, the invaders already control most of the main roads leading to the city.
Its capture will not immediately provide the Russians with access to a new road, nor will it cut off the Ukrainian Armed Forces from an artery that is important for their logistical support. The potential occupation of Vuhledar will also not necessarily provide the enemy with an advantageous position to launch further offensive operations in other parts of the western Donetsk Oblast.
