According to military correspondents on both sides, Russian troops are actively advancing towards Vuhledar, where Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions. The city could be semi-encircled by the end of this month. However, sources say that a direct assault on the city is not the main objective of Russian forces. Under current tactics, Ukrainian troops will be forced to retreat under the threat of encirclement, which should speed up the process of taking Vuhledar.

The Russian army on this section of the front is pursuing a strategy of gradually pushing the enemy out of key positions, without resorting to large-scale and costly attacks on urban fortifications. In this way, Russian forces are creating conditions for Ukrainian troops to leave their defensive lines on their own, avoiding protracted street fighting.