Ukrainian forces are actively defending the city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine, which is under heavy attack by Russian troops.
As noted by The New York Times, despite certain successes of Russia in this direction, military experts and representatives of the US authorities believe that a major breakthrough by the enemy is unlikely. However, if the Russian troops manage to break through the defenses of Toretsk, it will open the way to an important logistical hub — the city of Kostyantynivka. This could complicate the logistics of Ukrainian defense and expose other populated areas of the region to massive shelling, forcing civilians to leave their homes.
The defense of Toretsk is critical to maintaining the defense line, as the city acts as an outpost that deters Russian offensive actions. The military emphasizes that the defense of Toretsk has always been strong, with deep trenches and well-organized fortifications. However, in May, a decision was made to rotate troops, and the 24th Mechanized Brigade, which defended this direction, was replaced by the 41st Brigade. This rotation caused concern among the military, who believed that it could lead to a loss of control of the situation.
The change of military units turned out to be unsuccessful, because the new forces were not ready for the defense of the city due to unfamiliarity with the terrain and ineffective command. As a result, Russian troops began to actively attack, which led to heavy losses among the Ukrainian military. Despite this, Ukrainian fighters continue to fight for Toretsk, understanding its strategic importance. The government sent in additional reinforcements to stabilize the situation.
Currently, the fighting for Toretsk continues, and the Ukrainian military is doing everything possible to restrain the advance of Russian forces. At the same time, residents of other cities in the region can lead a more or less normal life thanks to the defensive actions around Toretsk.
