By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
Toretsk, a key city in eastern Ukraine, is increasingly falling under Russian control as Ukrainian forces begin a partial withdrawal. Russian military forces have reportedly seized more than two-thirds of the city, according to Denis Pushilin, the regional governor. His remarks, reported by rbc.ru, underline the significance of this capture for the surrounding region, particularly Horlivka, where residents have been enduring continuous shelling from nearby Russian positions.
Pushilin emphasized that the “liberation” of Toretsk holds strategic importance, but the battle for the city is far from over. Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that fighting is taking place “literally for every street.” A report from the Ukrainian operational-tactical group “Luhansk” confirmed that clashes in Toretsk have been intense throughout October.
Struggles on Both Sides
As of early 2022, Toretsk had a population of approximately 30,914, but by early July, that number had dwindled to around 4,500 residents due to heavy fighting and evacuations. Reports from Russian media, including TASS, suggest that Ukrainian forces are now withdrawing from parts of the city as the situation becomes increasingly dire for them.
Vasyl Chynchyk, head of Toretsk’s military administration, provided a sobering update, indicating that between 40 and 50 percent of the city remains under Ukrainian control. Russian troops, meanwhile, have gained control of 50 to 60 percent of Toretsk, according to official Ukrainian reports, signaling a gradual but steady advance by the Russian military.
A City Under Siege
The precarious position of Ukrainian forces in Toretsk has been acknowledged by both Ukrainian officials and military analysts. Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, described the challenging conditions on the ground, with shortages of personnel, weapons, and ammunition making it difficult to hold back Russian advances. Russian forces are now attempting to push westward, after securing the eastern sections of the city.
Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, a Ukrainian military analyst, warned that the situation could worsen significantly if Ukrainian forces do not receive reinforcements soon. He noted that with autumn approaching, logistical challenges will intensify for both sides, but Russian forces appear to be trying to maximize their territorial gains while the weather remains favorable.
Evacuations and the Battle for Strategic Territory
Only around 1,150 civilians remain in Toretsk, a drastic reduction from its pre-war population of roughly 31,000, as evacuation efforts continue. Ukrainian officials are bracing for the possibility of a complete withdrawal from Toretsk, which would mark a second significant victory for Russian forces within a month, following their capture of the strategically important city of Vulhedar.
Toretsk’s location on a hill overlooking the surrounding region gives it considerable strategic value. Losing the city could severely hamper Ukrainian logistical operations in eastern Ukraine and bolster Russian military positioning.
As both Ukrainian and Russian forces grapple with escalating battles, the situation in Toretsk reflects the broader struggle for control in eastern Ukraine, where the war shows no signs of abating. Neither the Russian nor Ukrainian governments have officially confirmed the full extent of territorial changes, but the fighting in Toretsk highlights the ongoing volatility and fluid nature of the conflict.