The city is in a grip

What do we know about the situation in Debaltseve

The city of Debaltsevo (Donetsk region) has been for several days - the main point of confrontation in the east of Ukraine. Separatists are trying to surround the grouping of the Ukrainian army in the city, cutting its way to retreat - and, possibly, arrange a "boiler". Information from the front, as always in such cases, comes extremely contradictory. Medusa tried to figure out what we know about the situation in Debaltseve.

What is known

Great importance Debaltsevo. The city is located approximately 75 kilometers from Donetsk. This is a large railway junction, which for the warring parties has not only strategic, but also psychological significance. Strategic - because in the Debaltsevsky direction the Ukrainian army went far to the east (see map); Having gained control over the city, the separatists will be able to align the front. Psychological-because active battles for the city were fought in the summer of 2014, and then the victory remained on the side of the Ukrainian army.

Possible "boiler". Since the Ukrainian military has advanced far to the east in the Debaltsevsky direction, the separatist forces can take them into the "boiler". To do this, they need to block all the roads leading from Debaltseve to the west. The main of them is through Svetlodarsk to Artemovsk (47 kilometers). It is on it that the main strokes of the separatists are. In particular, they reported that on this highway, the Su-25 attack aircraft struck a column from armored vehicles and trucks. The active creation of the “boiler” began at the end of January, the fighting in this area continues; The Ukrainian military is still managed to maintain control over the territory.

The city is in critical condition. Before the start of hostilities, more than 45 thousand people lived in Debaltseve. How much the population remains in the city now, no one knows; Most likely, almost everyone who could have left. However, evacuation to the West continues - only on January 31 243 people were taken out on the buses; The removal of citizens is engaged in groups of Ukrainian volunteers. In recent days, civilians regularly fall under fire - they hide in the basements. There are no electricity in the city for two weeks, water and heat supply systems do not work- and this is at minus temperatures at night. Shops, cafes, educational institutions are closed. Humanitarian assistance from Russia does not reach the territories controlled by Ukrainian troops.

What is unknown

The state of the defenders. At the end of January, the separatists increased the pressure on Debaltseve, capturing several settlements near the city. In addition, they distributed information that the city has already been taken to the “boiler”, in Ukraine they refuted it. According to Medusa, the Ukrainian military still control the Debaltsevo and the path to the Donetsk region. How much they can defend themselves and whether they can leave Debaltseve if necessary is unknown.

The forces of the parties. Separatists report that the grouping of Ukrainian troops in Debaltseve is about eight to ten thousand people. The Ukrainian authorities do not disclose information about what the forces of the army in the city do not disclose. It is also not known how many separatists participate in the creation of the "boiler". Indirectly about the activity of military operations, you can judge by losses -on February 1-2, about 20 Ukrainian troops were killed, several dozen were injured.

What will happen next? An attempt to negotiate in Minsk last weekend failed - this may mean that the fighting will continue. The shelling of Debaltseve and his environs does not stop for a single day, nevertheless, the further plans of the separatists about the city are unknown. For example, a week ago it seemed that the center of the confrontation would be Mariupol, the offensive by which was announced by the head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko. However, in the end, fierce battles ceased in this direction, and the main forces were pulled to Debaltseve.