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I feel that this should be a separate article, as the battle itself is significant enough and has been covered by various independent sources. Added information about the battle, including the background, the facts about the battle itself and its significance for the wider situation.
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{{Infobox military conflict
#REDIRECT [[Pokrovsk_offensive#Capture_of_Novohrodivka_and_advance_into_Selydove_(24_August_–_present)]]
| conflict = Battle of Selydove
| partof = the [[Pokrovsk offensive]] in the [[eastern Ukraine campaign]] of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
| date = {{Start date|2024|08|27}} – {{End date|2024|10|29}}<br> (2 months, 2 days)
| place = [[Selydove]], [[Pokrovsk Raion]], [[Donetsk Oblast]], [[Ukraine]]
| result = Russian victory <ref> https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/29/russian-army-says-it-has-captured-key-town-of-selydove-in-eastern-ukraine-a86847 </ref> <ref> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-28/russia-captures-center-of-selydove-stronghold-in-ukraine-s-east </ref> <ref> https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-took-196-square-km-ukraine-last-week-agentstvo-media-says-2024-10-29/ </ref>
| territorial_changes = Russian forces capture [[Selydove]]
| combatant1 = {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[Russia]]
| combatant2 = {{flagdeco|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Andrey Mordvichev]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]]
| units1 = {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[27th Guards Motor Rifle Division|433rd Motor Rifle Regiment]] </br> {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade]]
| units2 = {{flagdeco|Ukraine}} [[15th Operational Brigade (Ukraine)|15th Operational Brigade]] <ref> https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/10/24/fighting-their-way-into-selydove-russian-motor-rifle-troops-capture-and-execute-four-ukrainian-national-guardsmen/ </ref>
| strength1 = ~ 10,000 - 15,000
| strength2 = ~ 5,000 - 10,000
}}The Battle of Selydove was a major battle during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] by units of the [[Russian Armed Forces]]. Fighting around the city intensified in mid-August as part of Russia's ongoing [[Pokrovsk offensive]] in the south of the [[Donbas]] and culminated in the beginning of the battle on the 27th August, 2024.<ref>Russian forces close in on key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. But fleeing is hard – even for those who can afford it | CNN</ref>, with the eventual capture of the city by the end of October.

== Background ==
Multiple high rise buildings and the central city hospital were shelled by the [[Russian Armed Forces]].<ref>https://suspilne.media/621677-pid-udarom-buli-sahta-ta-likarna-armia-rf-obstrilala-selidove/ https://suspilne.media/623241-u-selidovomu-z-pid-zavaliv-likarni-vitagli-tilo-tretoi-zagibloi-ludini/</ref><ref>https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/obstril-bagatopoverhivki-selidovomu-znaydeno-1700128990.html</ref> On 14 November 2023, according to [[State Emergency Service of Ukraine]], at least 2 civilians were killed and 3 injured; 1 private residential building was destroyed, a 4-story residential building was partially destroyed, 16 private and 7 apartment buildings were damaged.<ref>https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku</ref> Attacks on 21 November 2023<ref>https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku</ref><ref>https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku</ref> and 14 February 2024<ref>https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku</ref> partially destroyed, among other buildings, several buildings of Central city hospital (3 people were killed and several injured in each attack).

=== Prelude to the battle ===
Following Russia's success in the [[Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024)|battle of Avdiivka,]] their forces began conducting rapid advances, taking large amounts of territory west of Avdiivka. During the 2024 summer, Russia's [[Pokrovsk offensive]] began, following the capture of [[Prohres]] that caused a significant collapse of the frontline in the south-east.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/27/russia-adapting-tactics-advances-donetsk-takes-more-ukrainian-land/</ref>. In late August, Selydove became a frontline city of the war.<ref>https://archive.ph/9piTT</ref> As part of an [[Pokrovsk offensive|offensive effort]] to capture the strategic city of [[Pokrovsk]],<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-23-2024</ref> Russian forces advanced south of Pokrovsk, nearing the outskirts of [[Ukrainsk]] and Selydove, capturing the nearby settlements south-east of [[Novohrodivka]] of [[Memryk]] and [[Kalynove, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|Kalynove]].<ref>https://deepstatemap.live/en/#6/48.1514281/37.3095703</ref> <ref>https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/665261-vs-rf-zahvatili-eshche-dva-naselennyh-punkta-v-doneckoy-oblasti-deepstate-karty</ref><ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-27-2024</ref> According to ''[[The Kyiv Independent]]'', fighting over the city began shortly after these advances.<ref>https://deepstatemap.live/en/#6/48.1514281/37.3095703</ref>.

== Battle ==

=== Initial Russian assault on the city ===
On the 27th August, Russia reportedly advanced into Selydove following a Ukrainian withdrawal from certain positions in the city, entering the eastern part of the city, likely through further advances within Mykhaikivka.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024</ref><ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024</ref> On the 29th August, Selydove's center was claimed to have been reached by Russian forces.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-29-2024</ref> Following Russian force's penetration into the city, Ukrainian reinforcements arrived by the start of September; these newly deployed units took advantage of Russia's stalled momentum, successfully counterattacking and pushing Russian forces to the eastern outskirts of the city.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/09/06/ukrainian-reinforcements-are-counterattacking-outside-pokrovsk/</ref><ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/07/world/europe/ukraine-pokrovsk-russia-kyiv.html</ref><ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-16-2024</ref> Subsequently, Ukraine had successfully been able to repel the initial Russian attack through the east of the city.

=== Encirclement of the city by Russian Forces ===
As a result of failing to capture Selydove through the eastern urban assault, Russian forces reportedly shifted their tactics near Selydove away from frontal assaults to employing small groups moving through covered areas.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-16-2024</ref> In late September, an advance along the Donetsk–Pokrovsk highway to the north of Selydove was described by the ISW as "an effort by Russian forces to bypass the city altogether", with Russian sources corroborating this view by saying that these movements were aimed at encircling Selydove. Russian forces continuously made new advances east of Selydove in mid-October<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-10-2024</ref><ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-11-2024</ref>, and a Ukrainian soldier said on 16 October that efforts were being made to both enter the outskirts of Selydove itself and to bypass the city.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-16-2024</ref>. These assaults were also concentrated on cutting the roads that supplied Selydove, with 3 of the 5 roads being reportedly severed by 18th October.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-18-2024</ref>

A Ukrainian military expert on 19 October said that Russian forces aimed to bypass the local [[slag heaps]] in Selydove and force a Ukrainian retreat by continuing their encirclement efforts, and that the capture of these would allow for fire control over the surroundings of Pokrovsk.<ref>https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-tries-to-surround-selydove-to-advance-toward-pokrovsk-expert-ukraine-news-50459809.html</ref> On 20 October, Russian milbloggers said that intense "street by street" fighting was taking place between Russian and Ukrainian forces on the outskirts of the city.<ref>https://archive.ph/nR0b3</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-storming-four-towns-eastern-ukraine-war-bloggers-say-2024-10-23/</ref> On 22 October, the commander of the Aidar’s 24th Separate Assault Brigade, Stanyslav Bunyatov, stated that half of the city was captured by Russian forces, citing lack of manpower as an issue,<ref>https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-troops-infiltrate-residential-areas-in-selydove-capturing-key-sections-50460402.html</ref> with [[DeepStateMap.Live|DeepStateMap]] confirming these gains.<ref>https://ukranews.com/en/news/1043191-russians-occupy-half-of-selydove-and-advance-near-three-more-settlements-deepstate</ref> Russian forces were able to hoist their flag in the central part of Selydove, with the ISW stating that Russia had made "significant tactical advances" both in and around the city.<ref>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-23-2024</ref> Russian forces' advances to the outskirts of the village of [[Vyshneve, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|Vyshneve]] in late October further deteriorated Ukrainian control over the supply lines to the city,<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/10/26/racing-along-a-defunct-railroad-russian-motorized-troops-are-trying-to-surround-a-ukrainian-brigade-in-selydove/</ref> subsequently causing the near encirclement of Selydove as the majority of its roads had been cut-off or were under fire control from Russian artillery.<ref>https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/military-analyst-warns-of-worsening-situation-in-russian-occupied-selydove-50461564.html</ref>

By 27 October, [[DeepStateMap.Live|DeepStateMap]] showed that Russian forces had advanced and occupied most of the city, with the north-western outskirts remaining disputed territory.<ref>https://deepstatemap.live/en#6/49.4252672/32.0581055</ref>Russian sources claimed on the 27th October that the entire city had been captured,<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-russia-will-respond-if-ukraine-permitted-strike-into-russia-with-long-2024-10-27/</ref> with the [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Defence]] declaring the capture of Selydove on the 29th October. <ref>https://www.wral.com/amp/21696024/</ref>

== Significance of the battle ==
The capture of [[Selydove]] was crucial for a multitude of reasons. The city's capture meant that a gateway for Russian forces was opened to advance through the western parts of the [[Donetsk Oblast]] and potentially even enter the [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast]]. In addition, it was significant in the context of Russia's [[Pokrovsk offensive]] as it could be seen as facilitating the possible encirclement of the vital logistics hub of [[Pokrovsk]] through the severing of its southern and western roads, thus furthering the territorial acquisitions within the Donbas, which is a stated Russian goal. Furthermore, according to [[Meduza]] the city's capture holds importance on more local battles, namely that it would threaten the city of [[Kurakhove]], an important logistical hub for the southern Donbas. It would essentially provide a stable ground from which Russian forces could reach the Kurakhove [[Reservoir]].<ref>https://meduza.io/amp/en/feature/2024/09/30/russia-surrounds-key-fortress-town-in-southern-donbas-as-battlefield-crises-mount-for-ukraine</ref>

== References ==

Revision as of 18:04, 30 October 2024

Battle of Selydove
Part of the Pokrovsk offensive in the eastern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
DateAugust 27, 2024 (2024-08-27) – October 29, 2024 (2024-10-29)
(2 months, 2 days)
Location
Selydove, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Result Russian victory [1] [2] [3]
Belligerents
Russia Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Russia Andrey Mordvichev Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi
Units involved
433rd Motor Rifle Regiment
155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade		 15th Operational Brigade [4]
Strength
~ 10,000 - 15,000 ~ 5,000 - 10,000

The Battle of Selydove was a major battle during the Russian invasion of Ukraine by units of the Russian Armed Forces. Fighting around the city intensified in mid-August as part of Russia's ongoing Pokrovsk offensive in the south of the Donbas and culminated in the beginning of the battle on the 27th August, 2024.[5], with the eventual capture of the city by the end of October.

Background

Multiple high rise buildings and the central city hospital were shelled by the Russian Armed Forces.[6][7] On 14 November 2023, according to State Emergency Service of Ukraine, at least 2 civilians were killed and 3 injured; 1 private residential building was destroyed, a 4-story residential building was partially destroyed, 16 private and 7 apartment buildings were damaged.[8] Attacks on 21 November 2023[9][10] and 14 February 2024[11] partially destroyed, among other buildings, several buildings of Central city hospital (3 people were killed and several injured in each attack).

Prelude to the battle

Following Russia's success in the battle of Avdiivka, their forces began conducting rapid advances, taking large amounts of territory west of Avdiivka. During the 2024 summer, Russia's Pokrovsk offensive began, following the capture of Prohres that caused a significant collapse of the frontline in the south-east.[12]. In late August, Selydove became a frontline city of the war.[13] As part of an offensive effort to capture the strategic city of Pokrovsk,[14] Russian forces advanced south of Pokrovsk, nearing the outskirts of Ukrainsk and Selydove, capturing the nearby settlements south-east of Novohrodivka of Memryk and Kalynove.[15] [16][17] According to The Kyiv Independent, fighting over the city began shortly after these advances.[18].

Battle

Initial Russian assault on the city

On the 27th August, Russia reportedly advanced into Selydove following a Ukrainian withdrawal from certain positions in the city, entering the eastern part of the city, likely through further advances within Mykhaikivka.[19][20] On the 29th August, Selydove's center was claimed to have been reached by Russian forces.[21] Following Russian force's penetration into the city, Ukrainian reinforcements arrived by the start of September; these newly deployed units took advantage of Russia's stalled momentum, successfully counterattacking and pushing Russian forces to the eastern outskirts of the city.[22][23][24] Subsequently, Ukraine had successfully been able to repel the initial Russian attack through the east of the city.

Encirclement of the city by Russian Forces

As a result of failing to capture Selydove through the eastern urban assault, Russian forces reportedly shifted their tactics near Selydove away from frontal assaults to employing small groups moving through covered areas.[25] In late September, an advance along the Donetsk–Pokrovsk highway to the north of Selydove was described by the ISW as "an effort by Russian forces to bypass the city altogether", with Russian sources corroborating this view by saying that these movements were aimed at encircling Selydove. Russian forces continuously made new advances east of Selydove in mid-October[26][27], and a Ukrainian soldier said on 16 October that efforts were being made to both enter the outskirts of Selydove itself and to bypass the city.[28]. These assaults were also concentrated on cutting the roads that supplied Selydove, with 3 of the 5 roads being reportedly severed by 18th October.[29]

A Ukrainian military expert on 19 October said that Russian forces aimed to bypass the local slag heaps in Selydove and force a Ukrainian retreat by continuing their encirclement efforts, and that the capture of these would allow for fire control over the surroundings of Pokrovsk.[30] On 20 October, Russian milbloggers said that intense "street by street" fighting was taking place between Russian and Ukrainian forces on the outskirts of the city.[31][32] On 22 October, the commander of the Aidar’s 24th Separate Assault Brigade, Stanyslav Bunyatov, stated that half of the city was captured by Russian forces, citing lack of manpower as an issue,[33] with DeepStateMap confirming these gains.[34] Russian forces were able to hoist their flag in the central part of Selydove, with the ISW stating that Russia had made "significant tactical advances" both in and around the city.[35] Russian forces' advances to the outskirts of the village of Vyshneve in late October further deteriorated Ukrainian control over the supply lines to the city,[36] subsequently causing the near encirclement of Selydove as the majority of its roads had been cut-off or were under fire control from Russian artillery.[37]

By 27 October, DeepStateMap showed that Russian forces had advanced and occupied most of the city, with the north-western outskirts remaining disputed territory.[38]Russian sources claimed on the 27th October that the entire city had been captured,[39] with the Russian Ministry of Defence declaring the capture of Selydove on the 29th October. [40]

Significance of the battle

The capture of Selydove was crucial for a multitude of reasons. The city's capture meant that a gateway for Russian forces was opened to advance through the western parts of the Donetsk Oblast and potentially even enter the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. In addition, it was significant in the context of Russia's Pokrovsk offensive as it could be seen as facilitating the possible encirclement of the vital logistics hub of Pokrovsk through the severing of its southern and western roads, thus furthering the territorial acquisitions within the Donbas, which is a stated Russian goal. Furthermore, according to Meduza the city's capture holds importance on more local battles, namely that it would threaten the city of Kurakhove, an important logistical hub for the southern Donbas. It would essentially provide a stable ground from which Russian forces could reach the Kurakhove Reservoir.[41]

References

  1. ^ https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/29/russian-army-says-it-has-captured-key-town-of-selydove-in-eastern-ukraine-a86847
  2. ^ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-28/russia-captures-center-of-selydove-stronghold-in-ukraine-s-east
  3. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-took-196-square-km-ukraine-last-week-agentstvo-media-says-2024-10-29/
  4. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/10/24/fighting-their-way-into-selydove-russian-motor-rifle-troops-capture-and-execute-four-ukrainian-national-guardsmen/
  5. ^ Russian forces close in on key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. But fleeing is hard – even for those who can afford it | CNN
  6. ^ https://suspilne.media/621677-pid-udarom-buli-sahta-ta-likarna-armia-rf-obstrilala-selidove/ https://suspilne.media/623241-u-selidovomu-z-pid-zavaliv-likarni-vitagli-tilo-tretoi-zagibloi-ludini/
  7. ^ https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/obstril-bagatopoverhivki-selidovomu-znaydeno-1700128990.html
  8. ^ https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku
  9. ^ https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku
  10. ^ https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku
  11. ^ https://dsns.gov.ua/uk/news/nadzvicaini-podiyi/selidove-drugu-dobu-trivaiut-avariino-riatuvalni-ta-posukovi-roboti-na-misci-castkovo-zruinovanogo-4-poverxovogo-budinku
  12. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/27/russia-adapting-tactics-advances-donetsk-takes-more-ukrainian-land/
  13. ^ https://archive.ph/9piTT
  14. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-23-2024
  15. ^ https://deepstatemap.live/en/#6/48.1514281/37.3095703
  16. ^ https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/665261-vs-rf-zahvatili-eshche-dva-naselennyh-punkta-v-doneckoy-oblasti-deepstate-karty
  17. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-27-2024
  18. ^ https://deepstatemap.live/en/#6/48.1514281/37.3095703
  19. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024
  20. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024
  21. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-29-2024
  22. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/09/06/ukrainian-reinforcements-are-counterattacking-outside-pokrovsk/
  23. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/07/world/europe/ukraine-pokrovsk-russia-kyiv.html
  24. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-16-2024
  25. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-16-2024
  26. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-10-2024
  27. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-11-2024
  28. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-16-2024
  29. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-18-2024
  30. ^ https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-tries-to-surround-selydove-to-advance-toward-pokrovsk-expert-ukraine-news-50459809.html
  31. ^ https://archive.ph/nR0b3
  32. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-storming-four-towns-eastern-ukraine-war-bloggers-say-2024-10-23/
  33. ^ https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-troops-infiltrate-residential-areas-in-selydove-capturing-key-sections-50460402.html
  34. ^ https://ukranews.com/en/news/1043191-russians-occupy-half-of-selydove-and-advance-near-three-more-settlements-deepstate
  35. ^ https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-23-2024
  36. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/10/26/racing-along-a-defunct-railroad-russian-motorized-troops-are-trying-to-surround-a-ukrainian-brigade-in-selydove/
  37. ^ https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/military-analyst-warns-of-worsening-situation-in-russian-occupied-selydove-50461564.html
  38. ^ https://deepstatemap.live/en#6/49.4252672/32.0581055
  39. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-russia-will-respond-if-ukraine-permitted-strike-into-russia-with-long-2024-10-27/
  40. ^ https://www.wral.com/amp/21696024/
  41. ^ https://meduza.io/amp/en/feature/2024/09/30/russia-surrounds-key-fortress-town-in-southern-donbas-as-battlefield-crises-mount-for-ukraine
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