ISW explained why the Russian army seeks to capture Toretsk.

The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian troops are preparing to capture Toretsk in the coming days. They are moving elements of the Eastern Military District to reinforce the Russian grouping near Toretsk. This may indicate Russia's intention to attack again in the direction of Kostiantynivka.

According to ISW's assessment, Russian troops may capture Toretsk and use it to advance further west along the T-05-16 Toretsk-Kostiantynivka route. This direction is the southernmost point of the Ukrainian fortification belt in Kostiantynivka.

Experts note that the advancement of Russian troops in the Toretsk direction has been slow due to urban areas. But they may begin to move faster once they reach open terrain west of Toretsk.

'Russian troops may also try to exploit tactical advantages around Toretsk and east of Pokrovsk to destroy Ukrainian positions southwest of Toretsk. Some Russian bloggers noted that Russian troops might intensify offensive operations southwest of Toretsk for this purpose,' the report states.

Experts believe that Russian troops may be attempting to destroy Ukrainian positions southwest of Toretsk to strengthen their southern flank before the offensive on Kostiantynivka.

If the Russian military command needs to pressure the Ukrainian fortification belt in the Donetsk region in the spring or summer of 2025, they may redeploy elements of units to the Toretsk direction to enhance offensive operations.

The capture of Pokrovsk has been a primary goal of the Russian military command in the Donetsk region since February 2024.

'Therefore, if Russian units are positioned in the Toretsk or Chasiv Yar directions instead of the western Donetsk region, the Zaporizhzhia direction, or the Pokrovsk direction, it may indicate a shift in the priorities of Russian operations,' analysts note.