Ukrainian forces are actively defending the city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine, which is under heavy attack from Russian troops.
As The New York Times notes, despite some Russian successes in this area, military experts and US officials believe that a major breakthrough by the enemy is unlikely. However, if Russian troops manage to break through the defenses of Toretsk, it will open the way for them to an important logistical hub - the city of Kostyantynivka. This could complicate the logistics of Ukrainian defense and expose other settlements in the region to massive shelling, forcing civilians to leave their homes.
The defense of Toretsk is critical to maintaining the defensive line, as the city acts as an outpost that deters Russian offensives. 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 was defending this direction, was replaced by the 41st Brigade. This rotation caused concern among the military, who believed that this could lead to a loss of control over the situation.
The change of military units proved unsuccessful, as the new forces were not prepared to defend 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 additional reinforcements to stabilize the situation.
Currently, the fighting for Toretsk continues, and the Ukrainian military is doing everything possible to contain the advance of Russian forces. At the same time, residents of other cities in the region are able to lead more or less normal lives thanks to defensive actions around Toretsk.
