Russian forces within striking distance of Ukraine’s ‘road of life’

A US-made M113 armoured personnel carrier transports Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region - ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP via Getty Images

Russian forces are within striking distance of the main supply route for Ukrainian troops defending the eastern Donbas region, according to British intelligence.

Moscow’s troops are closing in on the T0504 highway after capturing the Donetsk region village of Novooleksandrivka, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The settlement has been the focus of heavy fighting as Russia continues to push towards Pokrovsk, the main garrison city in the area.

Around half of all the combat engagements reported along the entire length of the front in the last few days have taken place in the area, according to Ukrainian officials.

“The area has seen heavy fighting throughout 2024 and Russia has been gradually advancing since capturing Avdiivka in February 2024,” the MoD wrote in its daily social media update.

“Russian forces have likely taken control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, located approximately 20km north of Avdiivka, Donetsk oblast.

“By taking control of Novooleksandrivka, Russia moves closer to threatening the T0504 road, one of the main supply routes for Ukrainian forces further east.”

The recent Russian gains leaves them less than five miles from the T0504, which links the Ukrainian-held cities of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka.

The road is a critical supply route for Ukrainian forces in the east of the country. If the Russians successfully cut off the highway, dubbed the “road of life”, it would leave the likes of Kostyantynivka and Chasiv Yar, further to the east, in isolation.

A Ukrainian mortar operator prepares for a mission in the Pokrovsk area in the Donetsk region - GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

Losing control of the T0504 would mean that Ukrainian forces would have to find alternative ways to replenish their defending forces.

But Western analysts have said there are no options as convenient as the current route being used.

Russia has been inching towards the road ever since it captured the city of Avdiivka in February.

“The onslaught of the occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction does not diminish,” Ukraine’s general staff said in an update on Tuesday.

The update added that Russian forces had tried to break through defences in the direction at least 32 times.

A spokesman for Ukraine’s 47th Mechanised Brigade said its forces were holding back at least three brigades of Russian troops trying to advance on Pokrovsk.

Anastasia Blyshchyk added that an artillery advantage meant Russian forces were firing between 400 and 500 shots a night, as well as using aviation to cover infantry assaults.

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