Ukrainian forces, including the 53rd Mechanized Brigade and the 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade, have recaptured part of the town of Niu-York (New York) in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian army raised its flag atop a damaged grain elevator in the town, signaling a significant pushback after Russian forces had mostly taken control of the area about a month ago. This operation was part of broader efforts to regain lost ground and stabilize the front line in Donetsk, where intense fighting has persisted for months.
⚡️DeepState shows how soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 🇺🇦53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade raised a blue and yellow flag on an elevator in downtown New York pic.twitter.com/KcUrTCt8bo
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) September 7, 2024
The town of Niu-York lies just south of Toretsk, a key front-line location in the Donetsk region. Russian forces have been attempting to advance through this area as part of their wider offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers, previously encircled in the region, were freed during this counteroffensive. The Azov Brigade reported that when they arrived in the area, the situation had been critical, but their actions have helped secure parts of the settlement and reinforce Ukrainian positions.
The 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, together with adjacent units, is fighting in the village of New York, Donetsk region.
In order to improve the tactical situation in the Toretsk sector, the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov was engaged in defensive and offensive operations in… pic.twitter.com/zMKeaVtO5Z
— Azov Brigade (@azov_media) September 6, 2024
Despite these advances, the situation in Niu-York remains tense. Russian forces have reportedly launched up to 15 ground assaults daily in the vicinity, according to Ukrainian military reports. While Moscow has claimed complete control over the town, Ukrainian forces have disputed this, maintaining that they still hold a portion of Niu-York and continue efforts to liberate more of the settlement. The Ukrainian counteroffensive has targeted multiple sectors in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made gains in recent months.
Ukrainian M2A2 Bradley IFV engaging in close quarters urban combat, Niu York, Donetsk Oblast.
Seen here dropping off its mounted infantry and engaging Russian-held buildings with 25mm Bushmaster chaingun fire. pic.twitter.com/3d0m6pgT1O
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 22, 2024
The Ukrainian advance in Niu-York was supported by national guard units, including the 12th Azov Brigade, which has played a pivotal role in breaking the Russian encirclement of Ukrainian troops in the area. According to crowd-sourced data from DeepState, Ukrainian forces regained territory in northern Niu-York and nearby Nelipivka between September 4 and 5. However, ongoing clashes are reported in the northern and eastern parts of Niu-York, as well as in neighboring areas like Pivnichne, where Russian forces continue their offensive.
Ukrainian forces recently conducted a counterattack in northwestern Niu York (south of Toretsk). Geolocated footage published on September 7 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently counterattacked in northwestern Niu York and maintain positions in the settlement. https://t.co/n2Xy2kQflv pic.twitter.com/w7gzdLRJFr
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 8, 2024
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