RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1171 and 1175 of the War - Suriyakmaps

For this update we’re starting off in Toretsk. Within the town, Russia was confirmed to have made a small advance on the north side, clearing some of the houses in Ukraine’s segment of control.

Northwest of Toretsk, the large area of greyzone and the Novodzerzhinskaya mine was confirmed to have been retaken by Ukraine at some point, giving them access back into Toretsk. This area was changed to greyzone about two weeks ago as it wasn’t clear which side was in control of the area as both were bombing the mine.

Another event that I’ll mention is a Ukrainian mechanised attack into Toretsk down the main road. On the first Day of the temporary ceasefire Ukraine sent a mechanised column from Kostyantynivka down to Toretsk. Instead of stopping on the outskirts and dropping troops off the Ukrainians went deep into the town, heading straight for the main apartment buildings, where they were ambushed by the Russians. Russian sources claim they knew ahead of time and that Ukraine was going there to plant their flag on one of the apartment buildings, hence ignoring their usual tactic of dropping off troops on the edges who make their way into town on foot. Whilst I don’t know if the latter is true, they certainly knew Ukraine was coming and were able to wipe out the entire mechanised group (10 vehicles).

Moving to the southern side of the Kostyantynivka front, Russian infantry groups have begun moving out of Oleksandropil to the north, taking over a field and a few treelines. The village is under Russian control but Suriyak is being overly cautious and waiting for further confirmation for the last few buildings.

On the Pokrovsk front, the first Russian assault group entered Novoserhiivka, taking over the easternmost houses. Adjacent to this a different Russian group has cleared the treelines west of Uspenivka, as they look to push west on the opposite side of the Solona River.

Down to the last remnants of the Kurakhove front, starting on the northeast side, Russian forces have once again begun to move towards Oleksiivka, taking over the empty fields and treelines along the road and reaching the outskirts of the town. They likely intend to try begin the assault on Oleksiivka as they are wrapping up the battle for Bahatyr (immediately south of it), so those forces can assist.

To the southwest, at some point in the last week Ukraine was able to push back into Vesele and establish control over the northern houses. The central 1/3 of the village is in the greyzone, whilst Russia maintains control of the southern 1/3. Its unclear if Ukraine intends to continue this counterattack to try retake the whole settlement or is satisfied with reopening the battle and stalling the Russians as is.

Now to an area we haven’t been to in a long time, we’re in the far northern side of Chernihiv Oblast. A small Russian group crossed the border on Day 1172 and ‘captured’ the border checkpoint, taking a video which they uploaded. This is yet another ‘bait’ advance by Russia, done to try provoke a Ukrainian response. The typical order is:

1. Cross the border in a ‘safe’/poorly defended area

2. Take some pictures/videos, then immediately leave

3. Upload pictures/videos to social media

4. Wait in the area with drones and artillery ready to hit the Ukrainian troops who turn up to show they have ‘recaptured’ the border area.

As we’ve seen before, its best for Ukraine not to fall for the bait and to ignore this area, as the Russians won’t be attacking or launching an offensive. Its just a social media game and part of the propaganda war.

Moving onto the Zaporizhia front for the first time in a little while, over the past 2 weeks the Russians have been busy moving their supplies and drone teams forward as they continue to probe and push for weaknesses in Ukraine’s lines. They’ve managed to expand their control of the fields and treelines north of Lobkove, as well as take over more buildings in southern Kamyanske. They are unlikely to make the same major progress as they did when they first launched attacks in this area back in March, however they will slowly be able to push forward and gradually take over Kamyanske.

Following on from picture 3, starting on the northeast side, Russian assault groups have continued to probe in Zvirove, taking over a chunk of the southern street following their capture of most of the north side a few days prior. Russia does not look to be making a move on Pokrovsk yet, despite the proximity to the city here, but rather is trying to clear out Ukrainian positions and open the way for more DRGs to be able to move into the city. This will make it easier to assault Pokrovsk when they do eventually decide to make an attempt on it.

Southwest, Russia launched several attacks around Novooleksandrivka from the east and south over the past 2 days, clearing out the large group of fields and treelines all the way up to Novomykolaivka. Whilst Russian reports (at this time) stated they hadn’t got into the settlement yet, Ukraine did release a video showing them bombing the warehouses on the southwest side of Novomykolaivka, which would imply at least 1 Russian group was present. The village is in a bit o an awkward spot as Russia controls Kotlyarivka to the south, so can attack Muravka (which supplies Novomykolaivka) which would cut off Novomykolaivka. That currently isn’t happening, but Ukraine will have to be careful with how it executes the defence of these 2 villages.

Further southwest, clashes continue in Horikhove, with Russia taking over a few more buildings in the centre and southern side of the village. Ukraine still maintains a presence here, but it does not look like they will be able to hold for too much longer.

And yes, as Suriyak shows this does mean Russia is 800m from Dnipro Oblast, although is much more likely to enter it near Horikhove where they are 1.2km away.

Following on from picture 4, whilst there hasn’t been an update on the fighting within Bahatyr (as both sides are being incredibly quiet about events there), we do know that Russia has taken the fields east of the town. These haven’t been occupied by Ukraine in a while, so this was a simple matter of diverting an infantry group to clear out the treelines and check for stragglers.

Southwest, Russia has ramped up pressure on Odradne, with new assault groups operating southwest of the settlement who took a number of fields and treelines. A couple of recon groups have also begun moving out to the west side of Odradne, probing for openings.

Moving to the Oskil River front, starting on the northwest side, the first Russian assault group entered Ridkodub, taking up positions in the eastern houses.

Down to the southeast, whilst there hasn’t been an update on the clashes within Kolodyazi, slightly north of the village Russia has moved some infantry groups into the treelines next to the stream, taking them over. These groups could join in on the assault on Kolodyazi or try flank it by moving further west.

Following on from picture 1, over the past few days Ukraine has moved some smaller assault groups into northwestern Toretsk (dropping them off on the edge of town like they usually do), who have taken up positions in the houses and one of the industrial complexes. Russia has also been somewhat active in the same area and is moving to clear the warehouses on the west side once again. As I’ve mentioned before, the frontline in Toretsk is incredibly fluid and neither side has proper control of their territory, so we’ll continue to see all sorts of advances in random spots for a while to come.

To the northeast, Russian troops in Dachne have expanded their control of the railway area and are attempted to link it up with Krymske.

Following on from picture 2, Russia made a series of advances in several areas as they continue to exploit weak Ukrainian lines. Starting on the northwest side, they’ve cleared out the area next to the highway near Novoolenivka and have also captured the remaining fortifications south of the village. This will help Russia supply troops in Novoolenivka (2 routes now), as well as aid in attacking Nova Poltavka (can flank the village from the northeast side).

To the southeast, Russia continues to gradually clear the fields and treelines west of Stara Mykolaivka, closing in on the settlement.

Over the Pokrovsk front, this time east of Myrnohrad. For the first time in a while Russia has become active around the Myroliubivske Reservoir, moving out of Hrodivka to clear some of the small forest area north of the town, as well as moving along the dam wall from Myrolyubivka to reach the other end of that same forest area. Russia’s goal here is likely to link Hrodivka to Myrolyubivka to provide more options for supply and reinforcement of the troops operating east of Myrnohrad.

Following on from picture 8, starting on the northeast side, Russia has continued their movement around Oleksiivka, advancing up a small stream northeast of the town. This is likely the start of their attempt to flank the settlement from the north.

Southwest, Russia has continued to close in on Odradne, taking over more fields and treelines south of the village and coming within 1.1km of the settlement. I believe Russia will still take a few more days to expand their control of the surrounding area before they make their first assault on Odradne.

Heading southwest again, Russia continues to expand its control west and north of Novosilka, taking over a relatively large area of fields and treelines. Whilst this is likely apart of the Russian campaign to capture Zelene Pole (west), it actually helps out with the battle for Vilne Pole to a greater extent as Russia now has a larger surface area to assault that village from and can even flank Ukraine from behind.

Following on from picture 11, on the northeast side, Suriyak has finally confirmed the Russian capture of Oleksandropil (almost certainly actually captured a week ago).

To the southwest, Russian assault groups that landed in Malynivka were able to capture most of the settlement, with only a few houses and warehouses on the western side left to clear. This happened over the past week, however its another case of both sides being incredibly silent about the progress of a battle until it has essentially ended, with the last we heard of these Russian groups being the video of them landing on the eastern edge of Malynivka. Russian sources claim the entire settlement is under Russian control however Suriyak is holding off as there is no video evidence for the western side being captured yet.

To the southwest, same as the above Russian assault groups captured most of Myrolyubivka after a few weeks of fighting and minimal updates. The Russian MoD claims Russia has full control of the settlement but other sources show theres still the northern houses to clear. The adjacent village of Mykhailivka will likely fall within days as its so small and so close to Myrolyubivka that there is little hope for Ukraine to hold it when Russia controls the adjacent area.

Following on from picture 7, Russian forces cleared out the last of the fields southeast of Novomykolaivka, as they prepare to assault the settlement.

Following on from picture 13, we finally have an update for Bahatyr, with Russian assault groups confirmed to have taken over the northeastern side of the town, as well as the fields and fortifications south of the settlement. Both Russian and Ukrainian sources agree the town will not last long and the last remnants of the Ukrainian garrison stand no chance of holding.

To the northeast, Russia also continued its push to Oleksiivka and entered the easternmost houses of the town. Its still too early to talk about proper assaults as this was quite the small group, however now that Russia has reached the settlement they should be able to bring in further assault units and start pushing deeper into Oleksiivka.

Whilst fighting continues in other parts of the Sumy-Kursk border area, Russia has continued to slowly chip away at their foothold in Sumy (although with much lower intensity), slightly expanding the control around Veselivka and capturing more of Bilovody. Most of the latter is now under Russian control aside from one street on the west side of the river.

Whilst we don’t have any updates on the fighting occurring west of here, I’ll address it in this section. Ukraine continues to make attempts on the Tetkino border area over the past week to no avail. They’ve suffered major losses in all categories of equipment, with most of it being destroyed before it even crosses the border (video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4, video 5, video 6, video 7, video 8, video 9, video 10). Russian helicopters and UCAVs even got involved, as AA over Sumy remains heavily degraded (video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4, video 5). This is yet another failed Ukrainian border incursion, although it has slowed down Russian progress in pushing into Sumy. Whether it is worth the losses needed to achieve said temporary slowdown is a whole other discussion.