The Russians plan to capture two cities to stretch Ukrainian forces: details from ISW

Russia's military command is increasing its attempts to capture Kurakhove and Vuhledar in Donetsk region to prevent the redeployment of Ukrainian forces aimed at strengthening the defense of Pokrovsk.

This information comes from a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"Russian forces' efforts are aimed at eliminating a broad Ukrainian projection to the west and southwest of Donetsk and advancing toward and along the N-15 highway (Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia)," the report states.

Coordinated Russian offensive operations from the southern flank toward Pokrovsk and the western flank of Ukraine's defense around Vuhledar are likely intended to increase pressure on the Ukrainian forces defending the western Donetsk region.

"The intensification of Russian offensive operations near Vuhledar likely does not mean that the pace of Russian offensives in other parts of western Donetsk will decrease in the near term," analysts report.

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