Espreso. Global

September 25 – October 2 live war map: Ukrainian forces lose Vuhledar, but stall Russian advance near Pokrovsk

Bogdan Bachynskyi
2 October, 2024 Wednesday
15:39

The second Russian counteroffensive in the Kursk region has fallen apart, with little change to the frontlines. However, Russian forces have taken control of New York and are close to driving the Ukrainian army out of Vuhledar, which could have major consequences for a large portion of the front

client/title.list_title

For the first time since mid-August, weekly battles have dropped below 1,000, largely due to 150 fewer clashes in the Kurakhove direction. Still, September turned into the bloodiest month of the war: Ukrainian forces set a grim new record, wiping out 38,100 Russians. Meanwhile, the Russians seem to have stopped conserving their armor, unleashing mass tank and vehicle assaults in almost every hotspot, even in Vovchansk. These offensives highlighted, yet again, the vulnerability of armored units — nearly 500 pieces of equipment were damaged or destroyed as all attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders.

Fall of Vuhledar

Until the very last moment, Ukrainian forces held onto Vuhledar’s northern sector, using it as a route for their retreat. Over the past days, Russian troops captured the eastern, southern, and western outskirts, eventually entering the city’s core. At that point, there was no tactical value in holding the final few buildings, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces fully withdrew from the city. The beleaguered 72nd Brigade, without reinforcements, had already been preparing its exit while managing to inflict considerable losses on Russian forces. The retreat was made more perilous as the so-called "road of life" was under constant fire — even from small arms — which tragically meant not everyone made it out.

While this unfolded, Russian troops secured Vodiane and the surrounding spoil tips and high ground, giving them fire superiority not just over Vuhledar but also over Bohoyavlenka, where Ukrainian forces are pulling back to set up their next defensive line. The Russians now aim to push toward Kurakhove, though they'll first have to breach Ukrainian defenses along villages 10-13 km south of the city. In key areas like Kostyantynivka and Katerynivka, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks. Russian forces deployed 11 armored vehicles and eight tanks in a bid to break through, but were met with heavy resistance — most of their vehicles were destroyed.

The Russians were also more aggressive around Novoukrainka and Zolota Nyva, though with little success — unlike in the Berdyansk direction, where they gained 1 km near Staromayorske. With the final fall of Vuhledar, it's clear that Russian forces plan to advance toward both Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka, which eluded them in 2022.

Pokrovsk-Kurakhove front braces for new assaults

Ukrainian forces have held their ground for another week in the "pocket" around Krasnohorivka’s northern outskirts and managed to keep the line between Zhelanne Pershe and Zhelanne Druhe. Russian forces couldn’t push forward from Oleksandropil but did attempt a vehicle advance toward Kurakhove, which ended in flames.

After seizing Ukrayinsk, Russian troops focused on advancing toward Tsukuryne, approaching it from both the north and south. Much of Tsukuryne is now a gray zone, with Russians securing positions on its southern edge. Tsukuryne is critical for the defense of both Selydove and the Hirnyk-Kurakhivka area, as it prevents the Russians from flanking these settlements. As long as the Russians can’t encircle Selydove and Hirnyk from multiple sides, Ukrainian forces should be able to maintain their defense, as they have for weeks.

To the north of Selydove, Russian troops finally broke through Marynivka’s defenses, expanding their control and moving closer to the Korotchenko mine.

At the same time, the Russians are stretched thin — they can't sustain intense offensives across the entire Pokrovsk-Kurakhove front. As a result, activity to the west of Novohrodivka and Hrodivka has been minimal. Their efforts here have mostly been concentrated on expanding their foothold on the right bank of the Vovcha River near Mykolaivka. This village is the last one before Myrnohrad, but the Russians aren’t ready for a direct assault on the city yet. It could take them months to prepare for that battle.

Occupation of New York and urban warfare in Toretsk

Despite a successful Ukrainian operation in New York a few weeks back, which temporarily freed the city’s center, the situation has since reversed. After heavy fighting, Ukrainian forces were pushed out entirely. Ukrainian troops are now trying to hold the line at Nelipivka, but the village is already being attacked from two sides, with its eastern outskirts under Russian control. Capturing New York has given Russian forces a pathway to assault Toretsk from the south, and possibly to encircle it from the west in the future. Currently, street fighting rages on in Toretsk, with clashes moving into the city’s central areas. The battle is fierce, with control shifting house by house, and the front line remains fluid.

Luhansk and Kharkiv regions

Russian forces have completed the occupation of Nevske and crossed to the right bank of the Zherebets River. The Ukrainian Armed Forces must act swiftly to halt this advance, or we risk a similar situation to what’s unfolding near Pishchane in the Borova direction. Right now, it’s still possible to counter this offensive with less effort, especially since the 3rd Assault Brigade is engaged on the adjacent front.

Around Pishchane, the Russians are pushing to expand their control and inch closer to Kruhlyakivka, aiming to secure a foothold on the left bank of the Oskil River. To the north, they bombed the bridge near Osynove, cutting the route to Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi. The Russians' main objective here is to cripple Ukrainian logistics.

Following the liberation of the aggregate plant in Vovchansk, Ukrainian forces launched attacks to push the Russians back to the northern quarters of the city. In response, they attempted counterattacks using tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. For now, these skirmishes have not altered territorial control. Meanwhile, Russia is preparing reserves in the Belgorod region, which they could deploy either to renew the offensive in the Kharkiv region or to shore up their position in Kursk.

Russian front

Russian counterattacks persist in the Kursk region, but neither side is gaining much ground. Ukrainian forces have not taken Glushkovo, and the Russians faltered in their counteroffensive at Lyubimovka. Currently, they are attempting to push toward Vnezapnoye, but their lack of sufficient forces is holding them back.

East of Korenevo, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have slightly extended their control along the railway between Vetreno and Aleksandrovka. While Russian troops struggle to break through to their encircled forces in Zhuravli and Pogrebki, Ukrainian forces are advancing along the road to Lgov.

On the eastern front, after gaining ground in Ulanok and Borki, Russian forces have been assaulting Plekhovo for two consecutive weeks without success. Presently, they are expending around 60% of their precision-guided bombs in the Kursk region. This depletion of their air power is a significant achievement for the Ukrainian forces. In the coming weeks, it will become clear what takes priority for Putin — securing Kursk or launching a new offensive on Kharkiv.

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and other verified sources. However, they are approximate and primarily reflect trends in the war zone.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Tuesday
18 February
18:10
Ukraine won't accept Russia's ultimatums: Zelenskyy on US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia
17:52
Zelenskyy, First Lady inaugurate Ukraine's new Embassy building in Ankara
17:30
Europe ready to ramp up defense efforts for Ukraine amid global pressure — Ursula von der Leyen
17:11
Russia says European peacekeepers in Ukraine would be viewed as “escalatory step”
16:54
Exclusive
Trump appears to be outmaneuvering both Beijing and Moscow, says political analyst
16:36
Exclusive
EU aims to compete with U.S. for global influence – Espreso correspondent from Brussels
16:15
Ukraine’s strike on rare Russian S-350 puts pressure on Moscow’s defenses
15:55
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia's year-long push for Pokrovsk shows no success: military observer explains why
15:27
Exclusive
Europe faces a new reality – Ukrainian MP Knyazhytskyi from Paris
15:12
Lithuania calls for security guarantees before considering troop deployment to Ukraine
15:06
Updated
U.S. and Russia hold over 4-hour talks in Saudi Arabia
14:55
Ukraine allocates over $35 million to maintain Chornobyl shelter
14:31
Russia enhances accuracy of North Korean KN-23 missiles — Ukraine's spy chief
14:22
Reuters streams live from Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kyiv authorities respond
14:16
Exclusive
If U.S. invades Russia, no one will resist — psychologist
13:53
Ukraine recovers 7,017 fallen defenders' bodies since start of Russia’s full-scale invasion
13:31
Exclusive
Ukraine needs two things to prevent Russia’s northeastern advance — Achilles regiment
12:52
China calls for "all parties" in Russia-Ukraine war to join peace talks
12:37
Poroshenko believes Zhevago is under sanctions because his family owns Espreso TV channel
12:17
OPINION
Ukraine buys time for Europe to wake up
11:55
Exclusive
Security guarantees for Ukraine have nothing to do with peacekeeping forces in war zone — expert
11:34
Firefighting ongoing at Chornobyl NPP following Russian drone strike
11:15
Review
Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine amid latest U.S. statements. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
10:52
Exclusive
"Step toward U.S.-Russia dialogue": expert on upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia
10:34
Russian UAV attack on Ukraine: Mother, two children injured in Kirovohrad region; debris sparks fires in Kyiv
10:27
Ceasefire between Russia, Ukraine would not end martial law — Defense Committee
09:57
Europe may deploy up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine
09:35
Russia loses 1,170 soldiers, 12 tanks, 181 UAVs in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Monday
17 February
21:05
Exclusive
It will take 2 years to restore Zaporizhzhia NPP after it is returned to Ukrainian control
20:43
Germany sends more military aid to Ukraine, including Gepard SAMs, Leopard tank ammunition
20:20
Exclusive
Some Kremlin proposals in exchange for Ukraine's capitulation may interest Trump – Professor Eisenberg
20:02
Exclusive
Can European countries buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine? Defense Express explains
19:43
First NATO-Ukraine center opens in Polish city of Bydgoszcz
19:27
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia launches major armored assaults near Velyka Novosilka, southern Donetsk region
19:10
Ukraine seeks to sign U.S. agreement on rare earth resources with security guarantees
18:54
Ukraine and UAE sign economic partnership agreement, including free trade zone
18:38
Russia attacks rescuers delivering water in Donetsk region
18:22
Poland will not send its soldiers to Ukraine, but will support other states – Tusk
18:05
Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner reacts to viral video of Ukrainian POWs execution
17:49
Zelenskyy: Ukraine progressing in potentially hosting European forces
More news