Kiev Forces Are Conducting Risky Counterattack Near Dobropillya (Videos)

File image.

Clashes intensified in the direction of Dobropillya in Donetsk in recent days as Kiev forces launched a counterattack to push back the Russian military from the salient located to the north of Boikivka.

As of September 24, fierce clashes were reported taking place in Boykivka, with both Ukrainian and Russian troops present in the settlement.

A bit to the west of Boykivka, Russian troops managed to repel a Ukrainian attack on their positions in Zatyshok. Meanwhile to the east of the settlement, Kiev forces attacked Mayak from Pankivka, but also failed to take control of any position there.

Heavy fighting was also reported in Nikanorivka, to the northwest of Boykivka. Russian troops redeployed to the outskirts of the settlement, then launched an attack from Hektova Balka nearby towards Dorozhnye, which is located to the west. Ukrainian troops between Nikanorivka and Dorozhnye are reported to be under heavy bombardment.

The Ukrainian counterattack poses a real threat to the Russian salient near Dobropillya, which could be cut off if Boykivka and its surroundings fall. However, the counteroffensive also carries some real risks to Kiev forces.

In a recent interview with journalist Lana Shevchuk, a correspondent of Ukraine’s PolitNavigator, Oleg Starikov, a retired colonel of the Ukrainian military intelligence warned that the situation in Dobropillya poses a direct threat to the defenses of Kiev forces in nearby Pokrovsk.

Despite the ongoing counteroffensive, the analysts noted that the Russian military has not stopped advancing in the Dobropillia direction.

“We are striking from the northwest and east to cut off the salient that has formed in the Dobropillia direction. The enemy has redeployed the 8th Army there and is not allowing us to do this, and at the same time it is moving north and west,” Starikov said.

“That is, it is not engaging but moving westward, further and further trying to block this main highway,” he added.

In addition, recent combat footage reveal that Kiev forces in Pokrovsk and its surroundings are still facing immense pressure from the Russian military, which is mainly employing heavy artillery and drones.

The Ukrainian focus on the Russian salient near Dobropillya has also caused trouble for Kiev forces in other directions, as it seems to be consuming much of the available resources.

This was very clear in the Dnepropetrovsk direction, where Russian troops managed to make significant gains in recent days.

In general, all the options of Kiev forces are difficult. Continuing the counterattack near Dobropillya, could lead to more Russian advance in Dnepropetrovsk which would threaten key supply routes stretching from there to Pokrovsk. At the same time, not allocating more resources for the counterattack could possibly speed up the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in Pokrovsk. In either case, the battle there, although in favor of the Russian military, will not likely end soon.

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