RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1189 to 1192 of the War - Suriyakmaps

We begin this update in Vovchansk, where Russian activity continues to gradually increase. Following their pushes a few days ago, small numbers of Russian infantry continued to clear out the rubble in the centre of the town, regaining positions in the aggregate plant and a couple of blocks on Zarizchna Street. Ukrainian forces in this area have gradually been redeployed to other frontlines over the past 6 months, so Russia likely sees this as an opportunity to try break the stalemate here.

On the far northern side of the Kupyansk front, Russia troops opened up a new angle of attack, with their infantry crossed the border in one of the forests and entering the small village of Stroivka. Ukrainian border guards in this area are stretched pretty thin, so will almost certainly be forced to retreat from Stroivka and the area around Topoli to avoid being encircled or wiped out.

There was also a minor advance on the outskirts of Kamyanka as Russian troops try to secure a buffer around the settlement.

North of Chasiv Yar, Russian troops finished clearing out the forest area west of Hryhorivka. As I’ve mentioned before, they plan to push the frontline to the canal here but with the focus being on the fight over Chasiv Yar itself very few troops have been allocated to this area by either side, so changes are slow and infrequent.

Northeast of Toretsk, Russian activity west of Ozarianivka continues, with their troops taking another few fields, treelines and defence positions west of the canal.

Heading to the Sumy border area, over the past 2 days Russian infantry groups have crossed the border in another area, moving into and capturing the village of Kostyantynivka (not that one). Kostyantynivka was always going to be impossible for Ukraine to hold, as it was simply too close to the Russian border to reinforce or supply with all the drones around. This does mean there is now an even wider area that Ukraine will have to defend, now with fewer units since several were recently redeployed from Sumy to reinforce the area between Pokrovsk and the other Kostyantynivka where Russia has recently made serious gains.

Further east, Russian infantry finished clearing out Vodolahy and some of the surrounding treelines. This particular group will need to consolidate their positions but will be looking to move towards Novomykolaivka soon.

On the Oskil River front, Ukraine made some small gains over the past week south of Nadiya, recapturing a couple of treelines. They are likely aiming to try recapture Nadiya once again, however they do not have the same forces as they did last time, so progress is slower.

Heading back to Chasiv Yar, this time within the town itself, where Russia has finally been confirmed to have taken control of the central highrise area after months of slow positional fighting. Once Russia properly secures their positions there, they can shift their focus to capturing the remaining section of Chasiv Yar and begin to prepare for a siege on Kostyantynivka.

Slightly south, Russia recaptured the trenches and forested area in the southern suburbs. This likely happened a while back, as Ukrainian infantry haven’t been seen here in well over a month, but it has only been confirmed now.

On the Kostyantynivka front, starting on the northwest side, Russian assault groups have made more progress in and around Poltavka, taking a few more houses within the village, as well as expanding their control of the adjacent fields and treelines. As mentioned in the previous post, Ukraine has redeployed part or all of 8 separate units to this front in order to stop the Russian advance which threatens multiple cities, so Russian progress has begun to slow right down.

To the southeast, Russian assault groups continue to clear the last parts of Zorya, taking over most of the east side of the small town and the adjacent fields. Incredibly few Ukrainian troops remain, with most of them having either been wiped out during the retreat and assaults, or having fled all the way north to Yablunivka. Russia is currently clearing the last buildings in Zorya, so should have full control of the settlement within the next couple of days.

On the Velyka Novosilka front, Russian assault groups captured the last section of Zelene Pole, confirming full control of the village (video 1, video 2). In adjacent Novopil, the assault is ongoing, but should finish within the next few days as it will be difficult for Ukraine to maintain their positions now that Zelene Pole is under Russian control.

Once Russia takes Novopil (which is almost guaranteed to happen at this stage), then I will discuss what might happen next on this Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.

Following on from picture 5, this time slightly further east, Russian soldiers in Bilovody have now begun to make their way towards Yablunivka, taking over several treelines along the river.

To the east, a different set of Russian infantry groups has moved out of Loknya and has begun the assault on Yunakivka, taking over a number of houses on the north side of the town. Ukrainian sources have made a number of different statements, with some claiming Ukrainian command has begun to pull heavy equipment (i.e. artillery, tanks, IFVs) away from the border area entirely as they do not believe they can hold (i.e. trying to move it to safer storage areas), whilst others complain about the lack of troops on the ground due to redeployments elsewhere (Tetkino, east of Pokrovsk) and constant drone and FAB hits wiping out many groups. However until there is confirmation of larger Russian progress here, take these with a grain of salt.

Southeast, Russian forces have finally been confirmed to have cleared the last small forest areas in Kursk (likely happened a while back) and have even taken a few over the border in Sumy. For the moment they are not trying to advance further west into the forests around the Sadky farms, however it still remains a high risk for Ukraine.

Moving southeast again, Ukraine has been forced to abandon the last positions it had south of the Psel River in Kursk due to Russian pressure. It was always going to be impossible to hold this region once Ukraine lost most of Kursk, as the only supply route is from Myropillya across very wet, boggy ground. Russia is reportedly looing to move towards Myropillya, however this has yet to occur (as of this update being posted).

Following on from picture 1, Russian infantry have moved into the remaining ruins in the centre of Vovchansk near the river, taking up positions there. Months of bombing and shelling took their toll, with the few Ukrainian troops in this area simply being unable to withstand the attacks. For now Russia will focus on clearing the remaining parts of Vovchansk north of the Vovcha River, but there is a good chance they will try cross into the southern side of the town once that is done (likely a few weeks).

Following on from picture 2, the Russian infantry that crossed the border quickly took over Stroivka, with Ukrainian border guards abandoning the village and the forest areas southeast to avoid encirclement. Russia will thus be able to easily capture the mini-pocket that has former near the border and can then focus on pushing west.

Down to the Oskil River front, starting on the northwestern side, over the past 3 days Russian assault groups broke the Ukrainian defences in Ridkodub, capturing the village. Whilst this was going on, some other small infantry groups expanded Russian control of the surrounding fields and treelines. Notably, they are already trying to move on Hlushchenkove and Karpivka, both of which are critical settlements, not for their strategic value but for their proximity to the last major supply route for the north and central parts of the Oskil River front. If Russia can capture both of them, their drone operators will be able to easily reach and hit any Ukrainian logistics up to the Oskil River, severely limiting (but not totally cutting) Ukrainian supply for this front.

To the south, a different infantry groups has continued slowly clearing treelines and small forest areas south of Zelena Dolyna. I still do not have much information about the Ukrainian forces in this area, but I believe their main defence point is in the forest area next to the village, hence why Russia is skirting around the flanks.

Following on from picture 4, Russian operations northeast of Toretsk have continued to ramp up following Ukraine redeploying some units to the area between Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. On top of one group clearing a few small defensive positions near the canal, several other assault groups have begun a push west along the Balmutka River, clearing out several small forest areas and dugouts.

Their goal is likely Dyliivka, as advancing up the river will provide them cover and avoid having to deal with the minefields and defensive positions in the fields east of the settlement.

Following on from picture 8, whilst clashes continue in Poltavka, east of the settlement a few other Russian assault groups have been working their way through the fields and treelines, trying to reach Rusyn Yar. For the moment they have only been able to take the fields and treelines southeast of the village, but they have reached the east side small stream that runs through the settlement and so may try to use the treelines on either side to get into Rusyn Yar.

Following on from picture 2, Russian forces cleared the abandoned fields and forest area along the border, eliminating the small pocket that formed a few days prior. This group isn’t particularly big, but will likely try move west and clear some more forest areas to increase the buffer around Topoli.

Following on from picture 4, Russian assault groups made further progress along the river, clearing more treelines and a trench network at the intersection of several roads/paths. They will use this as a staging point for an assault on Dyliivka, which could begin at any moment.

Following on from picture 15, Russian forces south of Yablunivka have captured a few more fields and treelines. Clashes are continuing within the town itself, with Russian assault groups maintaining their positions on the western side.

To the southeast, Russian troops have cleared several more fields and treelines next to Zorya. Some smaller clashes are occurring within the town as the remnants of Ukraine’s garrison tries to hold the last buildings, however this is mostly just to stall the Russian capture and buy time for their forces to regroup further north.

On the Pokrovsk front, Russian troops re-established control over the western houses in Troitske, following the Ukrainian counterattack 4 days prior. The frontline here now sits between Troitske and Horikhove, with both sides fighting over positions and trying to enter the other’s village.

Down to the Velyka Novosilka front, starting on the north side, Ukrainian forces counterattacked towards Odradne, retaking the large area of fields that has been in the greyzone since Russian recon groups probed towards Komar. They are currently trying to re-enter Odradne and entrench themselves.

Southwest, Russian assault groups recaptured the northern half of Vesele, once again confirming control of the village. They have already begun bombing/shelling Fedorivka to the north, which is their next target.

There was also a smaller advance southwest of Vesele, where Russia drove back Ukrainian troops that counterattacked towards Burlatske the previous week.