Russian troops are currently involved in fierce street battles with Ukrainian forces on the outskirts of Selydove, a city in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Fastet Pace Since March
According to pro-Russian military bloggers, cited by Hotnews the fighting marks a significant escalation in Russia’s attempts to gain full control of the Donbas region, an area that has been a strategic priority for President Vladimir Putin.
In September, Russian forces advanced at their fastest pace since March 2022, despite Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim parts of the Russian-controlled region of Kursk.
The current focus of the Russian military has been in Donetsk, where their strategy involves encircling cities and cutting off Ukrainian supply routes. Pro-Russian sources claim that a similar tactic is being used in Selydove, a city that had a pre-war population of over 20,000.
Escalating Assault on Selydove
Prominent pro-Russian blogger Yuri Podolyaka, who has over 3.1 million followers on Telegram, described an intensifying assault on Selydove. He reported that the city is under constant fire, with "shells, bullets, and drones flying all over."
Podolyaka compared the situation to the earlier siege of Vuhledar, where Russian forces ultimately succeeded after a lengthy battle.
He claims that Ukrainian forces in Selydove are nearly surrounded, with their supply routes severed, leaving them in a dire situation as it becomes increasingly difficult to bring in supplies or evacuate the wounded
Pro-Russian bloggers have also posted videos showing heavy bombardment in Selydove, though Reuters has been unable to verify the footage independently.
Russian Control in Donbas
Currently, Russian forces control roughly 80% of the Donbas region, and have advanced westward across approximately 100 kilometers of frontline territory.
They now occupy about 98.5% of Luhansk and 60% of Donetsk, which together form the Donbas. The battle for Selydove is part of a broader Russian strategy to gain full control of this critical region
With around 20% of Ukraine under Russian occupation, the fight for Selydove reflects Moscow’s ongoing push to choke off Ukrainian resistance in the Donbas.
