Russian forces continued to conduct ground attacks across the Donetsk Oblast contact line.

Russian forces continued to conduct ground attacks across the Donetsk Oblast contact line

The arrival of Russian forces to Bakhmut has allowed Russia to retain the initiative near the city and offset the culmination of the Wagner Group's offensive.

The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) update on Jan. 31 focuses on fighting around the towns of Pavlivka and Vuhledar, 50km south-west of Donetsk city in the east of Ukraine. The MoD notes that a previous Russian assault on the area in November of last year using the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade was unsuccessful. It adds: "Elements of the 155th are again involved as part of an at least brigade sized force which has likely advanced several hundred metrers beyond the small Kashlahach River which marked the front line for several months."

Artillery shelling destroyed the historic Choral Synagogue in Bakhmut.

The Russian army and 'Wagner' PMCs attempt to cut the Kostiantynivka-Bakhmut road, heading along the Siversky Donets-Donbas canal.