RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1203 to 1205 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Russian Forces Advance: 3.92 km²

Advance = 3.92km2

Context

We’re starting off in Sumy once again, where heavy clashes continue in Yunakivka. Whilst the actual progress of the Russian assault within the town is hard to determine due to both sides withholding footage, what has been confirmed is that Russian infantry groups have partially flanked the town on the west side, taking up positions in an industrial facility on the outskirts. Yunakivka is not cut off from supplies yet, as there are several dirt roads to the south that are still in use, however the situation is deteriorating for Ukraine. These don’t have the benefit of an anti-drone net along their length, although judging by Russian drone strikes they don’t seem to be doing much.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.23 km²

Advance = 1.23km2

Over on the Chasiv Yar front, north of the town, Russia has gradually continued improving its positions around the village of Hryhorivka, capturing the fields and treelines up to the canal. They will continue moving north along the canal to further expand the buffer around Hryhorivka, although as I’ve mentioned several times before this will be a slow process due to fewer forces being assigned to this area.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 0.32 km²

Top Right Advance = 0.10km2, Middle Advance = 0.22km2

Moving down to Toretsk, north of the town, Russian infantry groups have started moving up the treelines towards the canal area east of Bila Hora, aiming to cut off the Ukrainian defences in that area. Ukraine will likely be forced to pull back to Bila Hora, ceding yet another part of the old canal line.

To the southwest, Russian recon groups operating around the quarry north of Toretsk have expanded their control of the area, seizing more Ukrainian fortifications. There are several trench networks and dugouts in that area, which these Russian troops have been able to use as cover. If they push west onto next trench network, they will directly threaten one of the last Ukrainian supply roads onto the west side of the Toretsk front, the loss of which would force a Ukrainian retreat. This will not be easy for Russia however, as they will have to get infantry into that area, secure those positions and expand their control of the surrounding fields, all whilst under heavy Ukrainian fire.

The Russian advance above has also forced Ukraine to pull the last remnants of its infiltrations groups out from the outskirts of Toretsk, as they can no longer afford to supply or reinforce them. Russia will be able to secure Toretsk in the coming days, as long as Ukraine does not try to infiltrate again.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.44 km²

Advance = 4.44km2

On the east side of the Pokrovsk front, over the past few days Russian assault groups moved out from Shevchenkp Pershe, moving north to capture several more treelines and fields, before pushing west along another treeline to enter the village of Koptjeve. They have secured a foothold on the eastern side of the settlement and are currently fighting for control of the remaining half of the buildings.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.16 km²

Middle Left Advance = 0.09km2, Bottom Left Advance = 4.07km2

Over to the west side of the Pokrovsk front, Russian attacks on Novomykolaivka have intensified, with the Ukrainian being forced back to the western houses.

So the southwest, Russia has moved up another treeline and crossed the Dnipro border in another place, with an assault group capturing a Ukrainian defensive position on the other side. Same as with the previous one, Russia will need to secure the area around Horikhove before it can start pushing into Dnipro Oblast properly.

To the southeast, Russian troops also captured a couple more fields and treelines south of Bohdanivka.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.89 km²

Top Advance = 2.86km2, Left Advance = 1.03km2

Onto the Velyka Novosilka front, in Oleksiivka the Russian assault continues, with their forces managing to knock Ukraine out from the central area and push on to capture most of the town. Only a few houses on the west side of the settlement remain, with those just being a matter of waiting for Russia to clear them. The surviving Ukrainian garrison has fled to neighbouring Zelenyi Kut, where they are holding up there in anticipation of a Russian attack.

To the southwest, the Russian assault on Komar also continues, with their forces managing to push into the centre of the town and secure positions next to the main street. Ukraine is struggling to contain the Russian assault groups due to a lack of infantry, as usual, and are pulling back to the north side.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 1.20 km²

Advance = 1.20km2

Heading up to the north side of the Oskil River front, there was a small map correct made north of Lozova, with Ukraine still in control of one of the trench networks there. This was shown by Russian bombing said trench network, however the actual number of Ukrainian defenders (if any) is unclear as none are actually seen. At the very least, Russia does not control this area.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.14 km²

Top Right Advance = 0.21km2, Upper Middle Advance = 0.93km2

Following on from picture 3, in the northern Dyliivka, Ukrainian troops counterattacked and were able to retake several houses along the main street. Clashes continue over the remainder of the village.

To the south, with Ukraine pulling out the last few soldiers in Toretsk, Russia has moved into the last houses in the northern suburbs, capturing them and one of the smaller slag heaps. The greyzone was also expanded in western and southern Toretsk, as its unclear if any Ukrainian forces remain there after the retreat.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.41 km²

Top Advance = 0.44km2, Upper Left Advance = 0.97km2

Following on from picture 5, in Udachne, Russian assault groups have entered the town for a third time, moving into the eastern houses. The fighting here is much slower/less intense than it was back in April, so it looks like Russia will make another attempt to seize the town now that Ukrainian attention has been diverted elsewhere.

Moving southwest, Russian assault groups have been confirmed to have expanded their control in Novomykolaivka (following the clashes mention in picture 5), with them now being in control of 90% of the settlement. The last few houses will be cleared in the coming days, as Ukraine has likely been forced to retreat back to neighbouring Muravka.

Heading south, Ukrainian forces have begun to retreat from Horikhove following the second Russian assault on the village. Russian progress here hasn’t been confirmed yet, but they will likely capture Horikhove in the coming days as Ukraine has not been able to shut down the Russian advances on the flanks of the settlement.

Russian Forces Advance: 27.03 km²

Advance = 27.03km2

Following on from picture 6, over the past few days, Russian infantry and recon groups have made a series of large advances west of Bahatyr and Odradne, capturing numerous fields and treelines. With Bahatyr and Odradne firmly under Russian control, and Komar being under assault, Ukraine has been unable to properly contest the fields east of Komar. Russia has exploited this by moving smaller infantry and recon groups out west to quickly clear these areas.

Interestingly, at least one Russian group was able to move over the Vovcha River west of Novoukrainka (video 1, video 2) using one of the small bridges, likely taking positions in the unmanned Ukrainian trenches just north of this crossing. This effectively cuts Ukrainian troops in Zelenyi Kut and Novoukrainka off from supplies, with there being a real threat of encirclement if Russia continues pushing north from this crossing. Ukrainian sources are pessimistic about their chances, as the only way to escape is by trying to break through the Russian group to their west or try retreat via the treelines to the north and run the gauntlet of drones. Either way, it is unlikely many of these soldiers will get out unless Ukraine can relieve them with a counterattack from the other side.

Russian Forces Advance: 2.91 km²

Top Advance = 1.47km2, Bottom Advance = 1.44km2

Up to the Kupyansk front, Russia has restarted operation west of Dvorichna, with their forces taking over a few fields and treelines over the past couple of days, as well as entering the forest east of Kutkivka. Russia had left this area alone due to prioritising opening up additional crossings over the Oskil River and trying to reach Kupyansk itself from the north, however now it looks like they plan to expand their control of this area so they can set up Dvorichna as a Russian forward base.

Russian Forces Advance: 2.69 km²

Top Advance = 0.34km2, Bottom Advance = 2.35km2

Context

On the Siversk front, over the past few days Russian assault groups renewed their attacks on the ruins of Hryhorivka and the various trenches and dugouts south of the settlement, managing to capture both. Whilst it is still too early to say that Siversk itself is under threat, if Russia can secure its positions around Hryhorivka and push onto Serebryanka (to the west), then they will be able to reach the heights that overlook Siversk.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.10 km²

Top Right Advance = 0.69km2, Lower Left Advance = 2.41km2

Following on from picture 9, on the northeast side, Russia was confirmed to have captured the last segment of treelines around the Myrolyubivka Reservoir, linking up the villageo f the same name with Hrodivka. This likely happened a few weeks back, when Myrolyubivka was first captured, but there was no evidence of this until now.

Heading southwest, Russia captured another set of treelines west of Kotlyarivka, whilst the Ukrainian retreat from Horikhove continues. Russian sources have already reported their capture of the village, but they are likely still clearing the houses. In any case, Horikhove will almost certainly be under Russian control within a few days.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.34 km²

Advance = 1.34km2

Context

Following on from picture 10, Russian forces have finished clearing the last few buildings in Oleksiivka, confirming full control of the town. Russia may try assault Zelenyi Kut within the next day or two if they wish to take advantage of that village and Novoukrainka being flanked

Russian Forces Advance: 2.41 km²

Advance = 2.41km2

Context

Finally we head to the Zaporizhia front, where the Russian attacks around Malynivka continue. In the previous two updates I mentioned that whilst Russia had made progress, they hadn’t entered Malynivka yet. Well now that has actually occurred, with the first Russian assault group reaching the small town and establishing a small foothold in the southern warehouses and on the first street.