### Russian Offensive Gains Ground in Eastern Ukraine's Donbas

Russian forces have reported significant advances in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, claiming to capture key strategic locations as Ukrainian troops face heavy pressure from superior numbers and firepower. Over the weekend, Russian troops, supported by artillery and aircraft, reportedly took control of the central area of Selydove, an important road hub reinforced by its strategic high-rise residential district.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, their Army Group Center has moved beyond Selydove and captured the nearby village of Ismailivka. Social media posts from Russian milbloggers, including Simon Pegov, asserted that the 90th Motor Rifle Division spearheaded these assaults, claiming to have taken Ukrainian prisoners. Meanwhile, pro-Kyiv sources indicated that Ukrainian forces are now holding only the northern outskirts of Selydove, suggesting that the fight for control continues in multiple contested towns.

An army lieutenant with the callsign Aleks described the situation as dire in Vyshneve, with Russian forces successfully advancing through residential sectors and along the railway. He added that most of Vyshneve has been flattened and is now likely under Russian control. Pegov echoed these statements, proclaiming that both Selydove and Ivanivka were completely under Russian control and that Ukrainian evacuations from Hyrnik and Vyshneve signal a significant breakdown in Ukraine's eastern defenses.

Ukraine's Joint Forces East command reported that in the past week alone, Russian forces have launched over 600 assaults, supported by artillery, surface-to-surface missiles, and 606 air strikes dropping more than 1,000 guided bombs. Despite these relentless attacks, the Ukrainian General Staff stated on Monday that fighting continues in Vyshneve and Selydove while refraining from updates on Ivanivka and Hyrnik. They highlighted that a substantial portion of frontline combat engagements have been concentrated in the Pokrovsk-Kurahove sector.

Military analysts believe the targets of Pokrovsk and Kurahove hold significant strategic value for the Kremlin due to their industrial and energy-producing capabilities. Ukrainian military intelligence had already identified this sector as a probable major target for Russian operations in 2024.

Meanwhile, Russian military channels posted footage of an airstrike on the Elektrostal production facility within the Kurahove steel mill complex, claiming the area was being used by Ukrainian troops. However, a review by Kyiv Post did not find evidence supporting these assertions.

Despite facing formidable Russian advances and heavy bombardment, Ukrainian forces remain determined to resist and push back, aiming to inflict effective fire damage and exhaust the opposing troops along the entire front line.