Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Russia and Ukraine are engaged in fierce fighting over the strategically important city of Khalkha (known as Pokrovsk by the Ukrainian side). Foreign media believe that whoever controls this crucial town could significantly impact the course of the war.
Newsweek reports that the Russian-Ukrainian front stretches over a thousand kilometers, roughly divided into western, eastern, and southern sections. Currently, fighting is relatively light on the western and southern fronts, while fierce battles rage on the eastern front, with Khalkha being the "eye of the storm" on the entire eastern front.
Reuters points out that Khalkha is located at the intersection of several major highways and railways, serving as both a transportation and logistical hub for the Ukrainian army on the eastern front and its last line of defense for the open hinterland in the central region.
The Foreign Policy Institute, a US think tank, believes that if Russia captures the city, it would essentially open the road to the Dnieper River, "severely damaging the morale of the Ukrainian army."
A US intelligence official even stated that Khalkha's importance is comparable to Stalingrad in World War II, adding, "Ukraine cannot afford to lose this battle." However, both Ukrainian and Western media currently acknowledge that Russian forces have gained a significant advantage along the Red Army City line. The UK's *Independent* reports that the Russian forces in the region number 100,000, while Ukrainian high command claims a troop disparity of 8 to 1.
According to multiple sources, the Ukrainian defenders number less than 6,000, while the Russian forces can deploy approximately 40,000 troops, equipped with hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles, and possess strong firepower support, "dropping thousands of aerial bombs monthly."
However, the widespread use of drones has initially made the battle quite protracted. According to the US *National Security Magazine*, the two sides clashed in July 2024, but only recently did the Russian forces make significant progress.
A Ukrainian drone pilot stated that the Russians have recently changed tactics, breaking up large forces into smaller, 2-3 person assault teams to infiltrate under the cover of drones and mortars. Due to insufficient manpower, the Ukrainian defenses are riddled with holes.
According to foreign media reports, on October 27th local time, approximately 200 Russian troops dispersed and entered the city of Red Army, immediately seeking cover and awaiting the arrival of the main force.
Although Deutsche Welle's website stated that Ukrainian forces were searching for and clearing Russian troops from the city, reports from other sources indicated that Russian forces had controlled large areas of the city, including the local airport, and cut off two important railways and highways.
According to the US-based "War Zone" website, Russian forces are continuously pressuring their opponent from the north, east, and south. The western passage through which Ukraine relies for external aid has shrunk from 15 kilometers a few days ago to about 5 kilometers, and this only exit is also under heavy artillery fire.
Ukrainian soldiers also admitted that due to the destruction of a large number of transport vehicles, "our logistical support is in grave danger." Encircled, some Ukrainian troops in Red Army City chose to surrender.
Due to the severing of land routes, The Economist reported that the Ukrainian army attempted to use US-made Black Hawk helicopters to transport a special operations team to rescue high-ranking officers trapped within the encirclement. However, due to intelligence leaks, Russian forces ambushed and eliminated the arriving Ukrainian special forces. (End)
