RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1157 to 1159 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Russian Forces Advance: 5.54 km²

Middle Left Advance = 4.58km2, Bottom Left Advance = 0.96km2

For the first time in a while we’re starting an update off on the Pokrovsk front. Northwest of Nadiivka, Russia has begun moving through the fields in an attempt to reach Novooleksandrivka, capturing several treelines and defensive positions in a few small motorised attacks (such as this). With the fighting in Nadiivka almost wrapped up and Uspenivka stuck in a back and forth stalemate, Russia is likely looking to force the issue in this area by opening up a new direction of attack, as assaulting Novoooleksandrivka would naturally force Ukraine to abandon its attempts to attack and hold Uspenivka.

To the southwest, Russia made a minor advance through one of the treelines north of Troitske, as they prepare for another attempt on the village.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.81 km²

Middle Advance = 2.61km2, Bottom Advance = 1.20km2

Context

Over in Kursk, Russian forces continued to clear out the last remnants of Ukrainian control, taking over a few more small forested areas near the border. The assault of Gornal that began the previous day also bore fruit for Russia, with their forces taking over most of the village, as well as capturing a few POWs. The remaining houses are being cleared now, so its mostly just a matter of waiting for confirmation.

Now, whilst Putin may have claimed that Ukraine has been kicked entirely out of Kursk that isn’t strictly true. Whilst Gornal is likely completely under Russian control, Ukraine still has a small presence in Kursk in the small forested areas to the west and on the opposite side of the Psel River. These are strategically unimportant and only being held by smaller groups of Ukrainian infantry whose sole purpose seems to be stalling full Russian capture for as long as possible, but its important to acknowledge they are still there. This does mean Zelensky is telling the truth when he says Ukraine is still in Kursk, but its such a negligible area that he is really only saying this for PR purposes.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.91 km²

Advance = 0.91km2

Context

Moving on to the Belgorod Border area, over the past couple of days Russia has gradually restored control over the western outskirts of Popovka and the adjacent forest area. Despite over a month of attempts to take the village Ukraine has failed to capture Popovka or Demidovka and has been stuck within 3km of the border.

For the past 2 weeks Ukraine’s presence in Belgorod has dwindled, as they did not want to commit extra forces and equipment due to the high losses in the initial weeks. Aside from a mechanised attack the other week, Ukraine has just been using small infantry groups on foot or the occasional Armoured car to maintain its presence here, but is gradually losing ground (and probably desire to stay in Belgorod).

Russian command have elected to take their time in recapturing these areas, refusing to commit vehicles or many troops on the ground to avoid unnecessary losses (Ukraine is contained and there isn’t really a rush). Instead they have focused on using drones (Fibre optic and UCAVs), FABs and artillery to hit Ukrainian groups, whilst their troops stayed back in defensive positions. Only recently has Russia begun clearing out some of these areas, and only with smaller groups of infantry. It will still be a while before Russia recaptures the border area, but its safe to say this Ukrainian Belgorod incursion is essentially over.

Russian Forces Advance: 7.59 km²

Top Right Advance = 6.00km2, Upper Right Advance = 1.59km2

Context

North of Toretsk, over the past 2 weeks Russian forces have expanded their operations, taking over a number of fields, treelines and defensive positions west of the canal. As has become standard, this was preceded by a long shelling and droning campaign, before smaller infantry groups moved in. Ukrainian forces did not have many troops stationed in this area to begin with, so were unable to withstand the attacks. There are more comprehensive defences northwest of this advance (east of Dyliivka) which Russia is likely aiming for.

Slightly west of this, the Russian assault on Dachne continues, with Russian forces taking over the remaining houses on the east side of the village, as well as recapturing the west street of Druzhba (again) and part of the railway line. If Russia can completely capture Dachne and the adjacent section of the railway line they will be able to secure the northeastern side of Toretsk.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 1.96 km²

Top Left Advance = 0.38km2, Upper Left Advance = 0.26km2, Middle Left Advance = 0.67km2, Middle Right Advance = 0.65km2

Context

On the far eastern side of the Pokrovsk front, there were a few small changes and a correction. Starting with the latter, Ukraine was shown to still be in control of the last few houses on the north side of Tarasivka, so the announced capture of the settlement 2 days ago was incorrect. Russia is currently clearing that area now so this won’t last long, but its still important to acknowledge the actual control.

On the eastern side of Tarasivka, Russia made advances in the treelines and fields. To the west they also expanded their control of the forest area next to Vodyane Druhe. As mentioned in a previous post, Russia had captured Berezivka some time ago but pulled back to the forest area for better cover as they weren’t planning on continuing to advance north of the village and were too exposed there. Ukraine hasn’t been shown to have moved back in, but with Russia now in control they might be considering retaking it and then attacking north.

Context

Over to the east, Russian troops continued their push up the reservoir, reaching the outskirts of Stara Mykolaivka. Whilst they haven’t established a foothold yet, clashes are being reported on the southern side of the village.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.48 km²

Middle Left Advance = 1.06km2, Bottom Left Advance = 0.42km2

Following on form picture 1, Russia made a bit more progress on its push towards Novooleksandrivka, now just 1.3km from the eastern houses.

To the south, Russian troops were able to clear out the last of the warehouses in Nadiivka, which Ukraine had been clinging to and was discussed last update. This reconfirms their control of the settlement, although Russia will need to secure the adjacent fields and treelines to stop Ukraine breaking back in (as they have done before).

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 0.73 km²

Advance = 0.73km2

On the Zaporizhia front, Ukraine drove out a Russia assault group from the eastern side of Mala Tokmachka, that established a small foothold in the settlement a week ago. Russia almost immediately began heavily shelling and FABing the area, although it’ll be a while before they can mount an attack on Mala Tokmachka again.

Russian Forces Advance: 8.25 km²

Top Advance = 2.92km2, Middle Left Advance = 1.63km2, Lower Left Advance = 2.26km2, Bottom Left Advance = 1.44km2

Heading on to the Oskil River front, Russian forces have made advances in a couple of areas. Starting with the north side, they continued their campaign of moving north along the Donetsk-Luhansk Border, capturing some more treelines and a small forest area. This group of troops is gradually closing in on Hrekivka, one of the last 2 villages in Luhansk Russia has left to capture.

To the southwest, heavy clashes continue in Nove. Whilst Suriyak hasn’t made any changes to the territorial control, I’ll note several sources claim that the eastern side of the small town is either under Russian control or in the greyzone, with Ukraine’s garrison retreating to the west side to try hold the line along the stream. This is unconfirmed though, hence why the map hasn’t been changed.

South of Nove, Russian forces have expanded their control west of the stream, taking over another small forested area and some treelines. They may be looking to attack Nove from that southwest side, or are simply cutting off a possible evacuation/supply route.

Context

Moving south, a different set of Russian assault groups has began advances east of the same stream mentioned before, capturing another trench network and some fields. Nearby, they’ve also begun an assault on Kolodyazi, capturing a large trench network east of the village (was in greyzone) before occupying the adjacent treelines and the first houses of the settlement. Russia had made an attempt on Kolodyazi 2 months ago but was unable to gain a foothold and instead went north. Ukraine then counterattacked in this area but could not hold the previously mentioned trench network, and so also stopped moving in this area. Thus the frontline around Kolodyazi hasn’t moved since early February, however now it seems that Russia believes it can take the settlement, which would open up several options for future attacks.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 0.04 km²

Advance = 0.04km2

Going back to Toretsk, Russian troops made a minor advance along the reservoir, as they try to capture the forest in that area as mentioned in the previous update.

To the west, there was also a Russian reconnaissance group that tried to move into northern Scherbynivka, however they were spotted and were driven back.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.35 km²

Top Advance = 0.21km2, Upper Left Advance = 1.24km2, Middle Left Advance = 1.59km2, Bottom Left Advance = 1.31km2

Following on from picture 5, Russian forces captured another section of Tarasivka, and are likely clearing out the last couple of houses now.

To the west, a Russian group moved into Berezivka, taking up positions in the houses. Its unclear if they will stay for long or will pull back as happened when Russia first took the village.

Heading southwest, Russia has begun to attack the trench networks north of Yelyzavetivka, whilst Ukraine was shown to have recaptured some of the treelines west of the same village sometime in the past week. As for Yelyzavetivka, it has moved back into the greyzone, as similar to Berezivka whilst Russia did capture it and drove Ukraine out, they pulled back shortly after to better cover. Either side could take Yelyzavetivka at this point, however they would not be able to hold it unless they deal with the many trench networks and drone operators nearby.

Russian Forces Advance: 6.89 km²

Top Advance = 0.98km2, Upper Right Advance = 0.28km2, Lower Right Advance = 2.73km2, Bottom Advance = 2.90km2

Context

On the west side of the Kurakhove front, Russian forces made several advances in different areas, taking over more of the fields north of Andriivka, as well as several fields and treelines next to the highway south of the Vovcha River. As mentioned previously, Russia is inching closer to Bogatyr, but is heavily shelling and bombing the settlement first to weaken the garrison.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.65 km²

Advance = 0.65km2

Context

South of Chasiv Yar, after weeks of shelling, bombing, droning and positional attacks, Russian assault groups were able to break into Stupochky, taking up positions in the houses and the factory on the eastern edge. Ukraine did try to counterattack twice, but were repelled each time, and are now trying to drone the Russian troops out. Several Russian sources have mentioned that the Chasiv Yar front has the highest density of drones of any part of the frontline, so advancing much further in Stupochky will be extremely difficult.