Russia redeploys additional forces to Toretsk from two other directions – Ukrainian military
Archival photo: Russia deployed additional forces near Toretsk from two other directions (Getty Images)
Russian forces are intensifying pressure on Toretsk in the Donetsk region, increasing the number of assault operations and artillery strikes. Additionally, they have redeployed extra troops from the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions, said Dmytro Zaporozhets, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Luhansk operational-tactical group.
"The enemy has focused its main efforts on capturing Toretsk and is pressuring, partly due to the involvement of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division and units pulled from the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions. Assault activity has increased. Right now, the daily average of assaults matches last week’s total," Zaporozhets said.
He added that artillery activity in the Toretsk direction has also increased due to the deployment of units from other directions. While last month Russian artillery strikes ranged between 30 and 80 per day, now Russia carries out more than 100 strikes daily. Its tactics for small assault groups have also changed.
"The number of troops involved in assaults has increased. Previously, there were two to four soldiers per group, but this week we’re seeing between two and ten. This is already a full squad capable of attacking a position. They also use motorcycles to reach the city center. These motorcycles don’t always survive, but they are being used to transport personnel," Zaporozhets explained.
He noted that Russian assault operations typically begin around 4-5 a.m. and last through the day but come at a high cost in casualties.
"Airstrikes have increased since early January and continue to intensify. In the past 24 hours alone, there were 25 airstrikes and 31 guided bombs dropped on settlements in our area of responsibility. The hardest-hit location right now is Kostiantynivka," he added.
Situation at the frontline
According to the General Staff, 138 combat engagements took place on the frontline over the past day, March 12. The enemy exerted the greatest pressure in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions.
In particular, in the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 19 attacks near Toretsk, Leonidivka, Druzhba, and Ozarianivka.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has lost over 890,000 soldiers. Over the past day alone, the enemy's losses amounted to another 1,200 troops.
