ISW: Russian troops gain ground in Vuhledar while Ukraine regains positions in Vovchansk

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces made incremental advances in Donetsk Oblast on 25 September 2024, particularly around Vuhledar and Pokrovsk. ISW cited reports from Russian milbloggers and geolocated footage that confirmed the capture of 13 Desantnykiv Street in eastern Vuhledar, alongside additional advances on the city’s western and eastern flanks. Russian forces reportedly advanced 1.5 kilometers on Vuhledar's eastern outskirts and pushed two kilometers along a four-kilometer-wide front north of Prechystivka, west of Vuhledar. According to the report, Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces had also secured the Pivdennodonbaska Mine No. 1, advancing further toward Vuhledar’s eastern outskirts and beyond the Kashlahash River. However, a Ukrainian drone unit commander operating near Vuhledar noted that Russian forces had shifted their tactics, focusing less on direct assaults on Vuhledar and instead conducting offensive operations from Pavlivka, Prechystivka, and Vodiane. In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces achieved marginal advances southeast of the city. Geolocated footage, also referenced by ISW, showed Russian troops advancing north of Tsukuryne, as well as west of Hostre, near Donetsk City. While Russian forces progressed in Donetsk, Ukrainian troops continued counterattacks in Kharkiv Oblast, regaining positions in Vovchansk and advancing in northeastern areas of the city. According to geolocated footage from 25 September, Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory around the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant and advanced through Shchorsa and Sverdlova streets in the northeast. Russian milbloggers also reported Ukrainian counterattacks around Hlyboke and Lyptsi, near Kharkiv City.

Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, particularly in Glushkovsky Raion and along the edges of the Ukrainian salient. However, no confirmed Ukrainian advances were reported, and Russian counterattacks in the area did not yield significant progress, as noted by ISW. Additionally, Russian forces maintained limited offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, advancing westward along the O-130505 highway near Makiivka and central Nevske, the ISW says.

Related:

• UK intel: Russian forces increasing pressure on Vuhledar by implementing multi-pronged assault tactics
• ISW: Russian offensives near Vuhledar and Pokrovsk aim to stretch Ukrainian forces
• ISW: Ukraine advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russians gain ground near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk
• ISW: Ukrainian forces made gains near Svatove in Luhansk Oblast, while Russian forces advanced in Donetsk
• ISW: Ukraine advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russians gain ground near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk