RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1144 to 1148 of the War - Suriyakmaps

As usual we begin over in Kursk and Sumy, where clashes continue in the border area. Starting with the northwestern side, Russian troops have made another attempt on Loknya, this time establishing a small foothold in the northern part of the village. Supply and reinforcements face a difficult challenge, as there is only really 2 paths to reach Loknya from Basivka, as there are only open fields on either side. If Russia can drive Ukraine out of Oleshnya (east in Kursk) then they would have an additional supply reinforcement route, although that does not look like it will happen for a while.

Southeast, over the past two days Russian forces have made good progress in clearing out the many Ukrainian strongholds in the forest areas west of Guevo, capturing most of them and reaching the outskirts of Gornal. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the main defence point in this area for Ukraine is the Nikolskiy Belogorskiy Monastery, which sits on a small hill east of Gornal. That will be Russia’s next target in this area, as taking it first will make it significantly easier to assault Gornal.

In Toretsk, Russia made a minor advance northeast of the town, capturing a few houses as they gradually position themselves for an assault on Dachne. As part of this, slightly further northeast, Russia launched a small mechanised assault north of Druzhba, dropping off troops who captured several trenches along that treeline. They still have a lot of work to do before Russia can consider attacking Dachne, so expect more of these smaller positional attacks.

Continuing on from the previous post, where a few days prior Russia launched a series of attacks towards Kalynove, we now have confirmation that Russian assault groups (from 242nd Motor Rifle Regiment) have captured the entire village, as well as taking over a number of fields and defensive positions south of the settlement. As I mentioned last time, what remainded of the Ukrainian garrison has quickly fled back to Stara Mykolaivka, where they are scrambling to prepare their defences in anticipation of further Russian attacks.

To the east, a separate set of Russian assault groups made further progress in clearing out the fields and trench networks west of Panteleimonivka, including capturing several POWs. A lot of this area has fallen under Russian control quite quickly as Ukrainian forces in this area have little support and have been overwhelmed by the much faster, well supported Russian assault groups.

Heading over to the Kupyansk front, Russia has launched several smaller attacks in 3 areas east of the town over the past week. Only one of these was confirmed to have made a smaller advance (northernmost one), taking over a few defensive positions. A lot of this probing and small attacks looks to be in preparation for a larger campaign, or at least pretending to be to provoke a Ukrainian response.

Moving south to the Oskil River front, Russia continues to quickly gain ground west of the Zherebets River. Going anti-clockwise, a small Russian assault group has captured the remaining fields and positions west of Makiivka, straightening the frontline somewhat.

To the west, a separate set of Russian assault groups made 2 smaller advances around Novomykhailivka, approaching the outskirts of the village on the east side and moving slightly up the northern road on the southwest side. This looks to be the next target for the Russian group that took Katerynivka, rather than them heading southwest to support the troops assaulting Nove.

Speaking of Nove, Russian troops made several larger advances south of the small town, seizing a number of fields and treelines, as well as crossing over the stream and setting up positions there. This means that Russia can now attack Nove from 3 different sides, however this south group may look to attack Zelena Dolyna if they see Ukraine is not defending it properly (due to focusing on Nove).

Following on from picture 3, Russian forces decided not to wait for their flanking attacks to complete, and have hit Valentynivka head on from Panteleimonivka. These assault groups rapidly overwhelmed the Ukrainian defenders, capturing the outer trenches before quickly taking over most of the village. They’ve also joined up with the Russian group/s operating in the fields west (mentioned in picture 3) and have advanced west of the reservoir, taking over some treelines and forest areas. Ukraine’s troops have fallen back into central Sukha Balka, but they are in a dire situation, as they have lost a lot of their forces over the past few weeks of Russian attacks and are about to be cut off from their only supply road. If Ukrainian command has not already ordered a retreat, they should be leaving immediately via the fields and treelines north, as staying would only lead to a full encirclement or being wiped out.

Much further west, Russian forces have taken over the village of Yelyzavetivka after weeks of slow fighting. This happened without much fanfare, and from the few reports and videos we have it looks to simply be a case of Russia droning out the defenders before doing a small infantry assault. With Yelyzavetivka under control, Russia can now look to push north and expand its presence along the highway, as well as possible make preparations for an attack on Malynivka. The latter is a long way off though, as there are many trench networks and minefields between Russian positions and that village.

Back in Toretsk, this time on the opposite side of the town. Ukraine is once again trying to push back into the settlement, with some of their infantry sneaking into and taking over some of the warehouses on the northwestern edge of Toretsk. They have not made it far, but Russia will still have to clear this area once again and try establish a better perimeter/buffer.

Northeast, Russia made another mini-advance west of the canal, capturing a few dugouts with infantry. Same as last time, only a smaller movement aimed at clearing mostly empty positions.

Heading to the Pokrovsk front, we’ll start on the western side where Russia has pushed into Udachne for a third time. For now its only a small foothold on the eastern edge, so we’ll have to wait and see if it lasts or if they get pushed back again.

To the east, both Russia and Ukraine have made smaller gains south of Pokrovsk city, with Russia capturing a few more houses in Lysivka, whilst Ukraine increased its presence in the small forest area north of Dachenske. Both of these are positional movements as part of the battles to secure the southern approaches to Pokrovsk.

Following on from picture 1, Russia has made some more advances in the border area of Sumy, expanding their buffer around Veselivka and entering the northern part of Bilovody. The capture of that village would help Russia isolate Vodolahy (west of it) and secure the western flank of their troops attacking Loknya (from picture 1).

North of the Kupyansk front, Russia continues to slowly advance in Kamyanka, capturing another section of the small town. They are still only operating with a few infantry, so progress is unlikely to speed up, but they have yet to run into any major roadblocks. Ukraine’s garrison has so far relied only on drones, as they do not have the forces to properly defend the settlement.

Moving to the Siversk front, over the past week clashes have increased as Russia has pushed west of the Donetsk-Luhansk border. They’ve continued to clear out positions in the area, capturing several more, whilst Ukraine has been counter attacking in an attempt to regain control of the situation. Ukraine has managed to retake one of their previously abandoned trenches and part of a forest area, but have not been successful in the other areas.

Following on from picture 7, another Ukrainian group has pushed back into Toretsk, taking over some houses on the western edge of the town. There was also a tiny correction in the same area showing Russia in control of more of the greyzone than previously thought. Same as before, its questionable how long these smaller attacks will last as they just do not have the same level of support and reinforcements as the initial infiltrations, with other groups not even making it into Toretsk (video 1, video 2).

Following on from picture 6, Russian assault groups made further progress in Valentynivka, capturing the remainder of the village and entering the outermost buildings of Sukha Balka. Clashes are taking place as they push further into the settlement.

On the Velyka Novosilka front, Russia has begun attacking towards Shevchenko, with clashing occurring on the outskirts of the small town. Only a tiny bit of progress was confirmed, but attacks are continuing.

Back to the Pokrovsk front, this time east of Shevchenko. Ukraine recaptured a small section of the railway line, as they prepare to attack the town again. Controlling the area east of Shevchenko would assist in this endeavour, however it will be quite difficult to make much progress as Russian positions in Zelene and Vidrodzhennia can easily counterattack them.

Heading southwest, around Nadiivka there were a couple of corrections. Russia was shown to be in control of the facility west of the village, whilst Ukraine was confirmed to still have a small presence in some of the abandoned (pre-war) warehouses northwest of Nadiivka. Aside from these corrections, minimal activity in this area by either side.

Following on from picture 1, Russian assault groups began to attack the monastery starting 2 days ago (1 day after picture 1), successfully taking out the Ukrainian defenders and capturing the facility (video not posted to sub yet). As mentioned before, control of the monastery provides Russia the heights over Gornal (sits on a small hill) as well as a forward base for them to launch attacks from. Ukraine has already begun counterattacking from Gornal, but early reports suggest they have not made any progress.

Following on from picture 5, over the past few days Russia made further progress in its attacks in several areas. To the north, they have entered the forest area next to Novomykhailivka and are clearing it out now, whilst to the east a different Russian group has cleared the fields and treelines along the Donetsk-Luhansk border.

In Nove, Russian assault groups moving from the south captured a farm on the edge of the small town, and are attempting to enter Nove now. Small clashes continue on the east side of Nove as well.

Further south, there was a smaller correct north of Myrne. Russian troops were shown to be occupying a few of the defensive positions next to the stream. They had originally stopped after taking over the trenches on the hill just north of the stream, but at some point in the past month moved south a few hundred metres and captured the empty positions. Russia might be considering making a move on Myrne, however there are no clear signs yet.

Following on from picture 12, Russia made a small advance in Toretsk, skirting along the edge of the town to reach one of the mini-slag heaps. They are still trying to clear out the rest of the houses in this area, but it looks like they are trying to cut off any reinforcements/evacuation first.

Slightly northwest, after the attack last week Russian forces have now been confirmed to have pushed up along the road and established a foothold in the Novodzerzhinskaya mine. Clashes are ongoing as Ukraine tries to drive them out before they can be reinforced.

Following on from picture 13, Russian assault groups made additional progress west of Sukha Balka reaching and capturing the last remaining supply road for the settlement. Within the village, a different Russian assault group has made quick progress as is pushing into the centre of Sukha Balka where clashes are taking place. The only escape route left for the Ukrainian garrison is a precarious trip via the fields to the north, crossing the small stream, then heading to Romanivka. The primary issue is the lack of any proper paths and the proximity to Niu-York meaning Russian drone operators will certainly spot any troops leaving. Sukha Balka is unlikely to last more than 2 days more.

Back to the Pokrovsk front one last time, as I mentioned 2 weeks back, Uspenivka can never truly be secured by either side unless the adjacent settlements are captured. That has now come to fruition, with Ukraine once again pushing into the village as Russia was unable to move onto Novooleksandrivka. Ukrainians troops have taken over the ruins on the western street, with clashes taking place over the centre of Uspenivka. This is the fifth time either side has pushed back into the settlement, and its unlikely to be the last.