Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

ISW: Ukraine makes confirmed advances near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Geolocated footage shows Ukrainian forces advancing northeast of Kurdyumivka and west of Robotyne, even as Russia tries to halt their push near Bakhmut itself.
Assessed control of terrain in Bakhmu
Assessed control of terrain in Bakhmut as of 30 Oct. Credit: ISW
ISW: Ukraine makes confirmed advances near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Geolocated footage posted on 30 Oct., shows that Ukrainian forces have advanced northeast of Kurdyumivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut), ISW reported.

According to the ISW, additional geolocated footage from 29 Oct. indicates that Ukrainian forces have marginally advanced west of Robotyne in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Ukrainian General Staff reiterated that Ukrainian forces are continuing offensive actions near Bakhmut and offensive operations in the Melitopol, western Zaporizhzhia Oblast, direction.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said on 30 October that Russian forces have “significantly reinforced” their troop presence near the eastern city of Bakhmut and switched from defence to offence. Syrskyi stated that the situation in the east “remains difficult,” with Russian troops attacking Ukrainian positions daily.

He also noted that Russia is attempting to halt the advance of Ukrainian forces near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, and regain lost positions using airborne units.

ISW reported on 30 Oct., that Russia also use  “Storm-Z” assault units predominantly made up of prisoner recruits in highly attritional infantry-led frontal assaults.

Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun stated on 30 Oct., that Russian forces are preparing to conduct “meat assaults” (colloquial jargon for infantry-led frontal assaults) near Avdiivka and are training “Storm-Z” assault units for future assaults without equipment. A Russian milblogger reportedly serving in the Avdiivka direction claimed that “meat assaults” are when Russian infantry forces attack without artillery support to suppress Ukrainian firing positions.

The milblogger claimed that when two Russian regiments conduct ”meat assaults” side by side, the seam between the areas of responsibility of both regiments remains unsecured and vulnerable to Ukrainian counterattacks. Another Russian milblogger claimed that “Storm-Z” assault detachments in the Avdiivka direction and on Bakhmut’s southern flank are often destroyed after a few days of active operations and on average lose between 40-70% of their personnel.

Other takeaways from the ISW report:

  • Russian forces continue to use “Storm-Z” assault units predominantly made up of prisoner recruits in highly attritional infantry-led frontal assaults.
  • Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu highlighted the allegedly cooperative nature of the Russian-Chinese relationship at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 30.
  • Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 30 October and advanced in some areas.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts