RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1125 to 1127 of the War - Suriyakmaps

We’re back in the Kursk/Sumy front once again, where Russia continues to gradually expand its ‘buffer’ area in Ukraine. Starting with the northwest side, continuing on from the previous update where a Russian reconnaissance group crossed the border in yet another location, 2 Russian assault units have now also crossed and entered the northern outskirts of Volodymyrivka and Vodolahy. It looks like Russia intends to capture the more isolated Ukrainian border settlements 1 by 1 in order to establish a wide foothold in Sumy and is frequently switching their attack direction to throw Ukraine defensive efforts off. Veselivka is likely the next target, as its only across a small stream from Uspenivka.

To the east, with most of Basivka captured Russia is now able to start clearing the fields and treelines on either side of the border, as they move towards the border checkpoint. There are still some small groups of Ukrainian troops in Gogolevka and around said checkpoint, although they are only there to try stall Russia whilst Ukraine reorganises the units that fled from Kursk a few weeks ago.

Southeast in Guevo Suriyak has made a correction to the frontline, showing Ukraine still in control of the western and part of the central area of the village. Russia assault groups did indeed capture most of Guevo when he first reported a week ago, however new information has clarified that a number of Ukrainian troops are holding positions in and around the distillery (area looks like this). Russia is currently trying to push into this area, but until they actually confirm control of it will be marked as Ukrainian held.

In the Belgorod border area, Ukraine continues to launch attacks, crossing the border and taking over the forest area next to the Udava River. Ukraine is trying to assault Popovka so they can move around the northwestern side of Demidovka, however the Russian garrison has managed to hold the village so far. They also tried to open up another path through the border defence line around Popovka so they could attack from another angle, however Russian drone operators spotted and hit the engineering vehicles before they could make a hole (video 1, video 2).

To the east, heavy clashes continue around Demidovka, as Ukraine continues to try capture the village. Russian drones and artillery continue to hammer the assaulting forces (video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4, video 5, video 6), so Ukraine has been unable to make much progress so far. However they are continuing to funnel forces into Belgorod and are attempting to simply brute force their way through the village. On a related note, Ukraine also struck 2 bridges south and southwest of Demidovka, likely in an attempt to hinder Russia troop movements and supplies to this border area.

On the Toretsk front, starting on the southwest side, Ukrainian assault groups drove Russia out of Novospaske and most of Scherbynivka. This area has been in the greyzone since the Ukrainian infiltrations into Toretsk began a few weeks ago, however its now been confirmed Ukraine has been able to recapture it. Ukraine did try to push even further south into Leonidivka, however they were driven back before they could establish a foothold.

In Toretsk itself, the situation remains a confusing mess, with soldiers from both sides scattered around the northern and western suburbs. Ukrainian troops were spotted around the stadium once again, so they have likely reinforced the groups that had been operating in the northern side of the town. Russia continues to harass these infiltration/assault groups, however they are still unable to bring the situation under control.

Further south on the same front, in an unexpected move Russian assault group suddenly launched an attack from the east and south on Oleksandropil and Panteleimonivka, capturing multiple fields and treelines, as well as all of Oleksandropil. They’ve also taken up positions on the outskirts of Panteleimonivka, and are currently assaulting the village. These assaults caught Ukraine completely off-guard and they’ll need to react quickly to stop Russia moving into Valentynivka as well.

On the Pokrovsk front, starting with the north side, a Russian recon group moved out of Pishchane and headed into the treelines next to the former railway line. This is a pretty minor movement, likely just scouting Ukrainian defence positions in the area, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this group headed back to Pishchane the next day.

To the southwest, the Ukrainian assault group that reached Solone 3 days ago managed to move further into the village, capturing several more houses. They are still being harassed by drones and have yet to be reinforced, which Ukraine will likely aim to do if they wish to keep this attack going.

Following on from picture 1, Russian troops crossed the border and moved into northern Veselivka, taking up a foothold in the village. They will likely clear the rest of the settlement out before trying to move into Vodolahy.

In Dvorichna, Russian forces counterattacked and recaptured the western houses that they lost to Ukraine 5 days prior. They’ve halted their advance at the edge of the town and likely do not plan to move any further until they can better secure the settlement.

On the western side of the Kurakhove front, a Ukrainian assault group made a small advance through the treeline north of Andriivka, taking up positions in a trench network. Due to this movement Russia has pulled slightly back from the western edge of the town, in order to avoid being flanked/cut off if Ukraine continues pushing west. It will be difficult, although not impossible, for Ukraine to push back into Andriivka and restart the battle for the settlement.

On the Zaporizhia front, Russia is continuing its attacks across a wide area, capturing more of Mali Shcherbaky (top right advance), Stepove (top left), and is moving into the southern side of Lobkove (bottom left). Ukraine’s counterattacks have so far failed to stop the Russian advance, although they are slowing them down.

In Kursk, Russia is continuing to clear out the last remaining Ukrainian positions, pushing through the treelines along the northern road (top advance), whilst doing the same for the last section of the southern road (bottom advance). There has been minimal updates from Gogolevka for a few days now, however given Russia’s other movements if there are still any Ukrainian troops in the village they will be retreating to Oleshnya now, lest they be encircled.

Following on from picture 4, the Russian assault groups that entered Panteleimonivka captured the majority of the village, with only a couple of houses left to clear before they fully control it. The surviving Ukrainian garrison has retreated to Valentynivka and the defences around the village, and will be preparing for an inevitable Russian assault.

Heading over to Velyka Novosilka, after over a week of skirmishes on the outskirts of Vilne Pole, Russian forces have moved into the village, taking over the easternmost street. Heavy drone and artillery usage by both sides is complicating movement of all troops in this area, so the battle for the settlement will likely drag on for a while.

Following on from picture 9, on the northeastern side, Russian assault groups captured the remaining streets of Mali Shcherbaky, confirming full control of the settlement. However there will be no rest for these troops, as clashes continue in neighbouring Shcherbaky and the surrounding fields, so Russia will need to create a buffer around this village before they can truly secure Mali Shcherbaky.

To the southwest, a separate group of Russian assault troops is continuing to clear Lobkove and the adjacent fields, moving further into the centre of the village.

Moving north to the Oskil River front, west of Novolybivka Russian assault groups have made further progress in their push towards Nove, taking over several small forest areas, treelines and a few trench networks.

Despite there being a well-constructed line of trench networks in this area, from the reports I’ve seen Ukraine has either been poorly manning them, or simply leaving them empty, allowing Russia easy cover as they advance northwest. Whether this is because of manpower shortages, poor coordination, or another reason is unclear.