For the past three months, Russian army motor rifle regiments have been engaged in a brutal battle to capture the town of Selydove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The fighting has been intense, with casualties on both sides. On October 6, Russian troops overran a position held by the Ukrainian national guard’s Kara Dag Brigade, capturing four guardsmen who were later found dead. Ukrainian authorities have condemned the killing of prisoners of war as a grave international crime, with reports of more than 100 Ukrainian prisoners executed by Russian forces since the conflict began 32 months ago.
In response to the killing of the guardsmen, the Kara Dag Brigade launched a counterattack, resulting in heavy casualties for the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade. The violence has escalated, with Ukrainian forces retaliating fiercely against Russian troops responsible for the murders. Despite their retaliation, the outnumbered Ukrainian garrison in Selydove is struggling to hold onto the town, facing the threat of encirclement by advancing Russian forces. The situation is further complicated by the challenges faced by the Ukrainian defense ministry in mobilizing fresh troops to bolster their forces.
The Russian forces, including the 433rd Motor Rifle Regiment, are determined to capture Selydove as a strategic move to potentially surround the fortress city of Pokrovsk. The Center for Defense Strategies predicts that the Russian forces are likely to capture Selydove in the coming days, but it may result in the depletion of their assault group’s combat effectiveness. The Kremlin has been recruiting new troops at a rapid pace to make up for their losses in Ukraine, while thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed in Kursk, freeing up Russian forces to redeploy to other sectors as needed.
The Ukrainian defense ministry is facing challenges in mobilizing fresh troops to strengthen their ground combat forces. The national guard, typically tasked with internal security duties, has been forced to send its forces into direct combat due to the manpower issues faced by the defense ministry. Despite the difficulties, the Center for Defense Strategies remains confident in the Ukrainian defense of Pokrovsk, a vital stronghold on the eastern front. However, other observers are less optimistic, warning that Ukraine is currently losing the war and may need to take drastic measures to reverse the negative trend.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties in the battle for control of Selydove. The Kremlin’s determination to capture the town as a strategic move to potentially surround Pokrovsk has led to intense fighting, further complicating the already complex situation on the front lines. As the Ukrainian defense ministry struggles to bolster its forces, the outcome of the conflict remains uncertain, with some observers warning of a negative trend unless drastic measures are taken. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as the fighting in eastern Ukraine shows no signs of abating.
