Russian forces on verge of capturing Selydove in eastern Ukraine, ISW says

Russian forces are on the verge of gaining control of a key city in the eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military reported on Wednesday, adding that Moscow had attacked the town 19 times that day.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed Russia's "significant tactical advances into and around Selydove in recent days." However, the ISW also noted that Moscow’s focus on securing the city has come at the expense of Russia's ability to sustain a meaningful offensive drive on the city of Pokrovsk - Russia's top priority in the area.

Geolocated footage shows that Russian forces have advanced in northeastern and eastern parts of Selydove towards the centre of the city. These advances may soon force Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the area completely to avoid being trapped.

The ISW concluded that Russia may well take Selydove in the coming days, however this didn't necessarily mean that Pokrovsk would fall to Russian control next. In fact, the capture of Selydove is likely to have exhausted Russian forces and reduced their combat ability, which affect their capacities if they are ordered to pivot towards Pokrovsk.

Four Ukrainian POWs killed by Russian forces

The office of Ukraine’s Prosecutor General reported that Russian soldiers killed four captured Ukrainian servicemen near Selydove.

It said four members of Ukraine's National Guard were fighting near the town when they were taken prisoner during a Russian attack on 6 October, commenting that, "Russian soldiers filmed their interrogations, but when the positions were recaptured by Ukrainian forces on 7 October, their bodies were discovered."

The Prosecutor General's office has opened an investigation into the incident.