Russian offensive on New York in Donetsk region: City situation

Situation in New York

The day before, a report by the American Institute for the Study of War stated that Russian occupation forces allegedly achieved significant tactical success in New York, Donetsk region. At the same time, the ISW noted that they did not observe visual evidence that the invaders were operating as deep in the settlement as they claimed. In turn, the DeepState analytical project also reported that the Russian occupiers were able to expand their presence in the central part of the village.

Photo: Analysts say the Russian occupiers have made advances in New York (deepstatemap)

In addition, UK intelligence has also recently noted the advance of the Russians to New York and pointed out an interesting nuance. Thus, the British point out that the Russian army has made a small advance toward New York, a well-fortified section of the front and the last point on the demarcation line that existed until 2022. Even before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the front line there was almost immediately behind the village, and from the positions of the Ukrainian army near New York, even without binoculars, you can see the outskirts of Horlivka, which has been occupied since 2014 and is 6 km from New York itself.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine comments on the situation in the area of the settlement dryly and briefly in its daily reports, naming the number of Russian attacks. The military also does not officially confirm the presence of the Russian troops there. For example, when asked to comment on analysts' data that Russian troops have already entered New York, neighboring Toretsk, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops, Nazar Voloshyn, said that he cannot confirm or deny the data of international analysts.

“I will only say that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are fighting for this settlement, as the Russians do not stop assaulting and shelling with various types of weapons and using aircraft,” Voloshyn said.

Russian goal

Head of the Center for Military Legal Studies Oleksandr Musiienko said in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine that the Russians' goal is to seize a bridgehead. That is, they want to capture New York and Toretsk and thus ensure their advancement. It is a move towards Kostiantynivka.

Photo: Russians are trying to capture Toretsk and New York to reach Kostiantynivka (deepstatemap)

“Today, this is a goal that is set to try to move from different directions towards Kostiantynivka. That is why Russia is attacking both in the area of New York and Toretsk. That is why he is trying to move north from the Pokrovsk direction (Prohres and beyond) to block the road. That is, the goal is to level the front line in this direction, stretch our defense line, move towards Kostiantynivka, and try to semi-encircle or surround our contingent in the Chasiv Yar area,” the expert explains.

According to him, combat actions can show how everything will happen. Currently, Russia is trying to destroy New York, sometimes using superior firepower. The Ukrainian army, in turn, continues to hold back Russian troops, who, according to the expert, are not successful in terms of infantry attacks.

“But the fighting is intense. And now Ukrainian forces are taking all measures to prevent any Russian breakthroughs in this area. I think that for another month, somewhere until the middle of late August, Russia will take such active offensive actions. Then the offensive will decline. Both in New York and on the Pokrovsk directions,” Musiienko admits.

He explains that now it is important for the Ukrainian army to hold out for these weeks. According to the source, the Russian offensive will gradually fade away, or become less active, or even Russians will take a break until October. Therefore, now the task of Ukrainian soldiers is to concentrate on defense to disrupt Russia's plans in this area.

The expert notes that the complete occupation of the Donetsk region remains a priority for Russia. At the same time, he emphasizes that the way Russian troops are advancing now, they probably need to move for another 2-3 years to talk about any capture of the Donetsk region.

“That is, they have goals, but in terms of realization, they cannot achieve them. Firstly, because the Ukrainian defense is acting in a very coordinated and correct manner and Ukrainian soldiers are taking the right measures. Secondly, the fact that the Russians have missed more than one chance due to the actions of Ukrainian units, and because they use extremely large forces and have extremely small successes. And I will say that I do not see any opportunities for the Russians to capture Donetsk region in the coming months, it is unrealistic to do so by the end of this year,” Musiienko summarizes.

Active hostilities of varying intensity are taking place along the entire frontline. In particular, one of the hottest areas is the Pokrovsk direction, where Russia does not count losses and is trying to break through. In addition, the Russian occupiers have recently become more active in the Toretsk area. RBC-Ukraine wrote that Russia may want to threaten Klishchiivka with these actions. Read more about the situation in Toretsk and the threat to the city in an article here.

RBC-Ukraine also discusses whether Russia could expand the front this summer.

Sources: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ISW analysts, and UK intelligence, DeepState maps, Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops, and an exclusive commentary by Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Center for Military Legal Studies.