The Russian forces are attempting to establish a foothold in the southeastern part of the city, around the Vodokanal area. They are advancing in small assault groups along route 0532 and from the territory of the obliterated village of 3rd Mine, along Sadovaya and Dachnaya streets. If they secure the Vodokanal sector, the Russian forces will be able to move out onto Polytech via 13 Desantnikov Street, with subsequent consolidation and preparation for a breakthrough into the city center.
This task is currently being carried out by the advanced units of the 39th Separate Motorized Brigade of the 68th Army Corps and the 430th Separate Motorized Battalion.
From the southwest direction, the Russian forces' objective is to break through to the city hospital, or what remains of it, and after securing this location, to advance along Shakhterskaya Street toward the center. Another assault group will move north along Molodezhnaya Street, aiming to cut off the garrison from logistics to Bohoyavlenka. However, implementing such a plan in this direction will be much more challenging than in the opposite direction due to the terrain and landscape specifics.
These tasks have been assigned to the units of the 39th Separate Motorized Brigade, which previously reached the northern bank of the Kashlagach River and are now trying to cut off the road S051134, or simply put, Pavlovka-Bohoyavlenka, from the west.
According to various estimates, between 15,000 and 25,000 troops are currently concentrated in the area of Vugledar on the side of the Russian forces.
A very strange assertion was made that Vugledar does not hold any significant importance, and if the garrison is withdrawn from the city, the defense will not collapse. This is both true and not true.
Vugledar is indeed not at the epicenter of the defensive lines and positions in this location, which are located somewhat to the north. However, control of Vugledar by Ukrainian forces prevents the Russian forces from resuming railway communication from the east to the south through Volnovakha, which significantly impacts the intensity of hostilities in the south.
Vugledar is holding on. Beyond its capabilities, but holding on.
