RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 990 to 992 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 2.33 km²

Advance = 2.33km2

Context

Starting off with Kursk, following the Russian assaults the previous day, Ukraine counterattacked towards Orlovka, retaking the treelines along the stream and the field west of Novaya Sorochina that had fallen into the greyzone. They were unsuccessful in pushing any further than this so far, with fighting continuing for control over Orlovka (mostly in greyzone)

Russian Forces Advance: 0.47 km²

Advance = 0.47km2

On the Oskil River front, Russian troops made some small progress in Terny over the past few days, capturing more of the buildings on the north side of the village. The front line remains very flexible here, so expect there to be a lot of back and forth over control of Terny, and the battle to keep going for the new few weeks at least.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 2.60 km²

Advance = 2.60km2

South of Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian troops counterattacked Russian positions in the Pivdenno-Skhidnyi Mine, which they had only captured 2 days ago, in order to drive them out before they could dig in. Ukraine is also trying to advance into the forest area, but are being met by stiff Russian resistance.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.08 km²

Advance = 1.08km2

Russian troops made a small advance north of Selydove, reaching the interchange of the highway and main road out of the city.

Russian Forces Advance: 14.05 km²

Top Advance = 0.18km2, Bottom Left Advance = 0.76km2, Bottom Right Advance = 13.11km2

On the Kurakhove front, Russia continued to press the assault on the eastern side of the town, capturing some more buildings next to the river.

To the south, Russia continued their mechanised attacks from the previous day, advance slightly south of the outermost Ukrainian trenchline and reaching the outskirts of Dalnje. As I mentioned yesterday, Russia is cleverly using Ukraine’s own defences to protect their flank and hamper Ukraine’s ability to counterattack. Russian troops also pushed south through the large area of fields, simply rolling over weak Ukrainian positions as Ukraine retreats to the settlements further southwest. Once again, a lot of infantry is severely hindering Ukraine’s ability to properly defend the front line, with only a couple, or sometimes no soldiers being allocated to defend several km2 of fields. The restricted supplies that I talked about yesterday are also making the situation worse for this contingent of Ukrainian soldiers.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.59 km²

Advance = 0.59km2

On the Velyka Novosilka front, Russian troops restarted their advances after a several month pause following their capture of Staromaiorske (under the i), and have pushed into and captured the southern side of Makarivka. This village was quite heavily destroyed last year when the Ukrainian counteroffensive began, so there are very few positions for either side to occupy within the settlement. The main challenge for Russia will be reaching the trenchlines that run along the northern side of Makarivka, as well as along the long treeline to the west (which were originally built by Russia).

Russian Forces Advance: 1.91 km²

Top Advance = 0.65km2, Bottom Advance = 1.26km2

Over to the Kupyansk front, Russian troops began to clear the forest areas on the west side of Kolisnykivka, as I mentioned they would, as well as capturing the last few buildings of the village, confirming their full control of the settlement. Ukraine is mostly operating out of the large forest to the north, as well as from the town of Kivsharivka (off map north), moving south as they counterattack Russian assault groups.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 0.91 km²

Advance = 0.91km2

Context

In Toretsk, heavy clashes have continued in the city centre for several weeks now, with control over the many apartment buildings being traded back and forth frequently. From what could be confirmed, Ukraine did re-establish control over the central apartments and stadium area sometime in that period (advances were mostly recapture of greyzone). The fighting in Toretsk will almost certainly continue into the new year, with neither side able to make much headway in driving the other out.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.03 km²

Advance = 3.03km2

Back to the Selydove front again, Russian troops pushed west through the fields once again, capturing several treelines as they head towards the next set of villages (likely starting with Pushkine). Fighting continues on the outskirts of Yuriivka (under the a), as Ukraine seeks to stall the Russian advance.

Russian Forces Advance: 6.60 km²

Top Advance = 6.16km2, Bottom Advance = 0.44km2

On the Kurakhove front, the strategic situation continues to deteriorate for Ukraine. On top of Russia breaking into Sontsivka (above the @) the day before, Ukraine has now also lost control of Novoselydivka (above the a) and Voznesenka (above the i). This means Russia now only has open fields between their current positions, and Stari Terny and Berestky. These fields do have some trench networks built, but they are near the reservoir itself, and were designed to defend against attacks from the south or east. With Russia moving in from the north, by the time these trench networks can be used for defence they will have fire control over the last supply road in the area, meaning holding them is pointless. On another note, Ukraine allegedly tried to destroy the Kurakhovskaya dam, or at least the road on top of the dam, in what is likely a move to try hinder/slow down the Russian advance north of the reservoir. This will be effective, but it also signals that Ukraine has all but given up on the notion they can control the northern area, as they have now made it extremely difficult to get vehicles into, or evacuate vehicles from, that region.

To the south, Russia also moved into the eastern side of Illlinka, capturing the first street of the village. Some clashes still continue in the central area of the settlement.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.69 km²

Top Advance = 0.40km2, Bottom Advance = 1.29km2

Moving south, following on from Picture 5. Russian assault groups made further progress in Kurakhove, capturing more of the eastern side of the town. Some Russian sources claim that even more progress than is shown was made, alleging they reached School No.3 (about 500m west of current positions), however this could not be confirmed. Ukraine is likely considering abandoning the eastern side of Kurakhove to pull back across the stream into the central

Further south, Russian assault groups made more progress in Dalnje, capturing the eastern side of the settlement. This puts Ukraine in a very dangerous position, as now the entire grouping to the south is at real risk of being encircled if they fully capture Dalnje, and also Uspenivka (off map south). Thus, Ukraine will likely order a retreat from that area in the coming days, which would be ceding over 100km2 to Russia. The 79th Air Assault Brigade (which holds this area), can then either be pulled back into Kurakhove to help defend the town, or be moved further west to hold the southern flank of Kurakhove.

Russian Forces Advance: 15.99 km²

Left Advance = 2.87km2, Middle Advance = 10.71km2, Right Advance = 2.41km2

On the Velyka Novoselivka front, Russian forces launched several simultaneous attacks on the fields west of the made string of settlements, capturing many of them, as well as taking over the village of Rivnopil and reaching the outskirts of Novodarivka. Compared to the times in the past where I’ve specified opportunistic attacks on this front, these advances are different and part of a new Russian operation to cut Velyka Novoselivka from the west. This ties in with the large advances east of Novoselivka, where Russia approached the town on a broach front.

The operation to take Velyka Novoselivka itself is a ways off however, and likely won’t occur until after Russia has taken Kurakhove.

Russian Forces Advance: 16.23 km²

Top Advance = 1.65km2, Bottom Advance = 14.58km2

Context

Following on from Picture 1, on the north side of the front, Russia recaptured the eastern side of Novoivanovka, which Ukraine had taken a few days ago. Heavy clashes continue in this area, as both sides fight for control of the village.

To the south, over the past week Russian forces have made progress to the east/south of the Psel River, capturing a large area of wetlands, a few forest areas, and also most of Plekhovo. If Ukraine loses control of Plekhovo then they will undoubtably be unable to hold their positions on the east side of the Psel river, and will have to pull back across. This would also mostly wrap up the southern side of the Kursk front, as its unlikely Ukraine will commit enough forces to stage a new river crossing, given their focus on the northern side of the front.

Russian Forces Advance: 2.31 km²

Top Advance = 0.97km2, Bottom Advance = 1.34km2

Following on from Picture 2, Russia made further progress in Terny, reaching the centre of the village. To the south, Russia also made a small advance into the forest area southeast of Yampolivka, likely in an attempt to use it as cover to assault the village. Ukraine is dug in quite well in these forest areas however, so this will take some time.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.00 km²

Advance = 1.00km2

Following on from picture 9, Russian forces made a small advance north of Novooleksiivka, entering the southern side of Yuriivka, where clashes are currently taking place.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.32 km²

Top Advance = 1.18km2, Bottom Advance = 3.14km2

Following on from picture 11, Russian assault groups made more progress within Kurakhovo itself, reaching the previously mentioned school. Now that Russia has a foothold in the town, their progress is continuing to increase. Ukraine simply does not have the troops to launch proper counterattacks, and is almost entirely reliant on drones to hit advancing Russian groups, with the occasional vehicle sent out to operate alone. I’ll reiterate that Ukraine will likely have to fall back behind the stream and give up the eastern side of the town at this point, as they simply cannot stall any longer there.

To the southwest, Russia also captured the outermost layers of the Ukrainian defence networks, taking over several ditches and some trenches. Ukraine has mostly been forced to abandon these to pull back closer to the town, which will speed up Russian progress somewhat in the southern fields. There are however still several layers of defences around the town Russia will still have to breach to approach from the south side.

Russian Forces Advance: 12.17 km²

Top Advance = 9.75km2, Bottom Advance = 2.42km2

Heading south of the previous picture, Russia continued clearing the area north of the Sukhi Yaly River, capturing several fields as Ukraine retreats southwest. Russia also made an advance east of Bohoyavlenka, reaching the outskirts of the large tree plantation. The entire area shown here will likely have to be abandoned by Ukraine, as mentioned in Picture 11.