RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1181 to 1184 of the War - Suriyakmaps

We’re starting off today in the Belgorod border area. In the previous post I mentioned that there was only a small section left to be recaptured by Russia, and now 4 days later they have been confirmed to have cleared the last remnants of the fields and forest areas.

Russian infantry also crossed into a few spots in Sumy Oblast in small numbers, however at this stage they do not look likely to be launching an attack. This could happen later, especially with Putin referencing the need for Russia to create a ‘buffer zone’, but for now they are just scouting out the unoccupied border sections.

Over on the Toretsk front, Russian troops expanded their control of the fortifications on the opposite side of the canal from Ozarianivka, taking a number of dugouts and several trenches. This particular Russian group has yet to make any concerted pushes west to Dyliivka, and looks to be focusing on slowly clearing out the nearby treelines with small numbers of infantry.

To the southwest Russian scouts in the trench network north of Toretsk did try to move towards the main roads, but were unable to consolidate their positions and fell back.

On the Siversk front, Russian assault groups that began their attack on Verkhnokamyanske the previous week have secured the warehouses on the southern side of the settlement and are continuing on west to try capture the remaining houses.

Down to the Kostyantynivka front, once again we have seen large Russian gains in a number of areas. Going east to west, Russian assault groups that entered Romanivka 2 days prior were able to quickly knock out the Ukrainian garrison and have fully secured the village, as well as a portion of the highway. This further worsens the already abysmal position of the Ukrainian units in Zorya, Hnativka and Stara Mykolaivka, who are under threat from multiple side and whose supply routes are being increasingly harassed.

Moving west, Russian infantry north of Oleksandropil made two smaller advance in the treelines north of the village, continuing their advance towards Yablunivka.

Going west again, Russian assault groups made significant advances all around Nova Poltavka and Novoolenivka, capturing the remainder of the fields east of the highway, a number of livestock farms, several fortifications, and many treelines and fields. After Nova Poltavka fell the surviving Ukrainian troops retreated all the way back north to Poltavka and Popiv Yar, and have so far been unable to reestablish a defence line. At the current rate of advance Russia will reach those settlements within a week, leaving the Ukrainian garrison little time to prepare and reorganise.

Southwest of this, Russian forces in Malynivka captured the treelines south of the village, as the move on the warehouses and fortifications south of the settlement. At the same time in Yelyzavetivka Russian infantry have continued to slowly clear the houses, with only a few left to take before they control the village. This pocket inbetween Malynivka and Yelyzavetivka has a large number of dense trench networks and minefields, so it will take Russia time to clear them.

Heading up to the Sumy front, whilst most eyes have been on the events around Tetkino Russian troops near the Sudzha checkpoint have remained active, although to a lower intensity than before. Since early May positional battles have continued over Loknya, with Russian infantry and motorised soldiers gradually taking control of the majority of the village. There are only a few houses left in Lokyna under Ukrainian control, however they sit next to Yunakivka so Russia will likely begin the assault on the town at the same time the try take those last Loknya houses.

For a quick refresher, Yunakivka was a key Ukrainian hub when the Kursk incursion was ongoing, but now finds itself on the frontline with a Ukrainian garrison preparing for Russian assaults. The capture of Yunakivka would open up a lot of opportunities for Russia, as it’s the only town in this area before they can push into the large forests around Sumy.

Following on from picture 3, Russian assault groups continued to move west through Verkhnokamyanske and have capture the majority of the houses (only a couple left north of the westernmost point). There was also a minor advance in the hills north of the settlement.

Whilst this does mean there are no more settlements between Russia and Siversk, their control of Verkhnokamyanske is quite shaky, so they will need to spend more time capturing the adjacent fields and treelines before they can consider moving in on Siversk.

North of Chasiv Yar, slight map correction in Russia’s favour, showing them in control of more of the canal north of the town. Russia likely took this area months back when they first secured Kalinina, however it was left as greyzone due to no visual evidence (until now).

Following on from picture 4, starting on the northwest side, Russian assault groups continued to push up the Poltavka River, taking over several more fields and treelines east of the small reservoir. This also secures Novoolenivka’s west flank, so Russia will be able to start moving their forward supplies into the settlement to assist their assault groups in pushing to Yablunivka.

Speaking of, east of Novoolenivka Russian troops also captured several fields and treelines, putting them 2.9km away from Yablunivka. Russia will likely attack the settlement from the west side along the river but advancing through the fields south of it will give them other options.

Southeast, with Russian forces pressing in on all sides, the pocket around Stara Mykolaivka partially collapsed, with Russian forces taking the majority of fields west of the settlement, putting them within striking distance of Hnativka. They also expanded their control of Stara Mykolaivka and took over more of the southern houses and the eastern warehouses. Ukraine has been pulling troops out of the pocket for over a week now, back to Zorya, however many are still trapped as the exit route is dangerous due to all the drones and artillery watching the paths.

On the Velyka Novosilka front, Russian assault groups began an assault on both Zelene Pole and Novopil simultaneously, following weeks of bombing/shelling preparation. This was first reported 4 days ago, but took until now to be confirmed. Current information (when this update was posted) showed Russian troops securing a foothold on the southeastern side of Zelene Pole, whilst fighting over the outskirts of Novopil was ongoing. As part of the assault on the latter Russia also captured some of the fields around Novodarivka.

On the Oskil River front, Ukraine counterattacked west of Serhiivka, recapturing part of the forest area they lost in April. Its unclear whether this is another one-off opportunistic attack, or if Ukraine intends to continue pushing east to retake Serhiivka.

Northeast of Toretsk, starting a few days ago Ukraine counterattacked from Dyliivka, retaking one of the fields and several treelines they lost to Russia in early May. This is likely aimed at halting the Russian push along the railway to the northwest by threatening to cut them off from behind and re-enter Druzhba.

Following on from picture 8, Russian troops continued their quick progress north of Nova Poltavka, capturing several more fields, treelines and fortifications along the Poltavka River, now only 1.1km from Popiv Yar and 1.5km from Poltavka. Russian troops may decide to try capture more of the surrounding area first to solidify their position whilst they wait for FABs and artillery soften up the defences. However, given their rapid progress and the disorganised Ukrainian force, I can’t rule out that they might just make a dash straight for Poltavka to try get a foothold before Ukraine recovers.

Southeast, Russian troops secured the fields and treeline east of Romanivka, and are currently moving up the west side of the stream heading north.

Swinging over to the Pokrovsk front, south of the city Russia has recaptured some of the fields and treelines around Shevchenko that it lost to Ukraine in a counterattack back in March. Those areas have been mostly greyzone since that Ukrainian counterattack was defeated but Russia looks to be trying to secure a better position immediately south of Pokrovsk. Once again, they are likely not planning an assault YET, but are certainly laying the groundwork with their movements over the past few weeks.

To the west, Russian assault groups entered Novomykolaivka, taking over the eastern houses and fields adjacent the village. Ironically despite the Russian claims of reaching the Dnipro Oblast border in a field, this advance is where they actually reached the Dnipro border and consolidated positions for the first time. The border runs along the Solona River on the north side of Novomykolaivka, however given the lack of bridges and Russia needing to capture the settlement first, entering Dnipro Oblast will have to be on hold for a little while.

Further south, Russia expanded their control of the fields south of Bohdanivka, as they gradually try straighten the frontline with their positions in Troitske.

Following on from picture 9, starting on the northeast side, Ukraine launched a small counterattack down 2 of the treelines north of Burlatske, capturing part of both. They are likely trying to pressure Russian troops around Shevchenko by retaking Burlatske.

Southwest, Russian forces in Vilne Pole secured the outskirts of the village, taking the adjacent treelines and fields. They also made another small advance southwest of the settlement.

Moving southwest again, in Zelene Pole, Russian assault groups managed to secure the remainder of the southern side of the village, now in control of about 1/3 of the settlement. Over the road in Novopil, Russian assault groups took the eastern street and are currently moving into the central street. They are also in control of 1/3 of Novopil.

Heading all the way north to the northern front, in Vovchansk, Russian infantry made a small advance on the east side of the town, closing in on the Vovcha River. As with all changes in Vovchansk, treat this not as an advance but showing which side was last present in a particular area.

Further east, for the first time since 2024 Russian forces pushed east through the fields around Tykhe, taking over several of them as well as a chunk of the forest area. Russia has slowly been ramping up activity on the Northern front since the beginning of May, however its unclear if this is just to draw Ukrainian attention or if they plan to go on the offensive here again.

Following on from picture 12, Russian assault groups continued to move along both sides of the Bychok River, capturing more fortfications, fields and treelines. They are now just 800m from the first houses of Yablunivka, however they won’t be able to make their first assault on foot as there is a gap of open fields between the Yablunivka and the nearest treeline. They may try use a motorcycle rush once again, or if they expect more resistance will go for a standard mechanised push.

To the southwest, Russian troops in Malynivka slightly expanded their control of the fields north of the settlement. Fighting is ongoing for the western houses.

Back to the Velyka Novosilka front, this time north of the town where Russian assault groups have made their move on Odradne. After shelling, droning and bombing the village for a few weeks, Russian assault groups have now reached the settlement, taking the eastern houses and part of the southern side. Ukraine’s garrison here have been heavily battered and are unlikely to last long.

If Odradne falls it opens the way for Russia to push through the fields to the west and close in on the town of Komar. Komar is the last town in this area between the Vovcha and Mokri Yaly Rivers, and is also quite vulnerable to being surrounded as Russia can bypass the settlement using the fields to the north. We may well see a situation similar to Velyka Novosilka but on a smaller scale, where Russia pins the Ukrainian garrison inside the settlement against a river, with no paths out.