Moscow/kyiv, Aug 20 (EFE).- Russian troops continued their advance today in the eastern region of Donetskwhere they captured the symbolic city of New York, an offensive that they are intensifying despite the opening by Ukraine of a new front, in the Russian region of Kurskwhere kyiv forces now control nearly a hundred towns.
Troops of the Center military group have eliminated a large contingent of Ukrainian forces defending New York, a city of 3,000 inhabitants (more than 10,000 before the war), the Russian Defense Ministry reported in its daily report.
The Russian military command stressed that New York (Novgoroskoye for the Russians) is one of the most important towns and “an important logistical hub” in the vicinity of the city of Toretsk, which has been turned into a stronghold by Kiev troops.
Russia seeks to break through to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk
The capture of Toretsk is key to developing the offensive from the south towards Kostiantinivka, a city located just 12 kilometers away and which opens the way to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Ukraine’s largest strongholds in Donetsk, annexed by Russia in September 2022.
Judging by the intensification of fighting on the eastern front, where Moscow’s troops are taking the initiative, something that kyiv recognizes, Russia has chosen not to divert forces from that sector to contain Ukrainian troops that broke into the Kursk region on the 6th.
Russian medical services on Tuesday estimated that 17 civilians had been killed and more than 140 wounded in the Ukrainian offensive in the federal entity.
Putin sets deadline for Kursk liberation, media reports
According to the information portal RCB-Ukrainathe Russian president, Vladimir Putinwould have ordered his military to expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk by October 1but without withdrawing troops from the sectors where the Russian army is advancing in the Donetsk region.
«In fact, the Russians are trying to send units from the entire front line to the Kursk region, except for the Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors.»the publication points out, suggesting that this may indicate that the Russian Army does not have sufficient reserves.
To this end, the Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday the creation of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk troop groups, named after the regions of the same name bordering Ukraine, to defend them from enemy attacks.
The formation of the groups, which was announced at a meeting chaired by the head of the ministry, Andrei Belousov, will defend citizens from enemy drones and other types of attacks.
Following the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2024, Russia created six troop groups: Tsentr (Center), Zapad (West), Yug (South), Vostok (East), Dnieper and Sever (North).
Zelensky boasts of successes in Kursk
Ukrainian troops, meanwhile, are continuing to expand the Russian territory under their control, albeit at a slower pace than at the start of their surprise attack on the Kursk region.
According to the latest data provided by the President of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenskikyiv forces control a total of 92 towns and some 1,250 square kilometers of the Russian region’s territory, just over 4 percent of its area.
«We continue to strengthen our positions, stabilise the designated zones and replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine»the president said in a video message to citizens, referring to the large number of Russian soldiers captured in the Kursk region.
Zelensky said the military operation in Kursk would not have been necessary if Ukraine’s foreign partners had lifted all restrictions on the use of their long-range weapons against Russia.
Red line
He also stressed that the success of the Ukrainian armed forces reveals the “naivety” of the idea of ”red lines” with regard to Russia.
He therefore asked Ukrainian diplomats to step up their efforts to convince partners, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, to allow the use of their long-range weapons against military targets deep in Russia’s rear. EFE
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