RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1206 to 1208 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Once again we’re starting the update off in Sumy. Over the past few days Russia has made further progress in and around Yunakivka, with their assault groups now confirmed to have taken over the northern side of the town, with clashes currently ongoing over the centre. Other infantry groups have expanded Russian control of the fields and treelines west of Yunakivka, both in an attempt to wrap around the west side of the town and to get closer to Khrapivshchyna. Ukrainian sources report difficulties in supplying and evacuating wounded from Yunakivka due to lacking proper supply roads, but they are not withdrawing from the settlement yet.

To the west, a different set of Russian assault groups captured the small village of Varachnye as well as the surrounding fields and treelines. They now have access to a continuous treeline leading all the way down to the village of Nova Sich (through a forest area), but Russia will need to focus on securing their existing positions as Ukraine has been launching counterattacks across this front.

Over on the Kupyansk front, on the southeast side, after months of off and on fighting Russian assault groups have secured the village of Stepova Novoselivka, as well as the defensive positions in the surrounding area. As mentioned back at the start of May, Ukraine had been forced to flee the settlement due to Russia partially flanking it from the south, leaving most of the positions there unoccupied. Whilst the capture likely occurred a little while ago, it still took Russia many weeks to actually secure positions as constant drone attacks meant neither side could stay in the village for long.

Northwest of Stepova Novoselivka, another Russian group has been working on clearing the various treelines and defensive positions along some of the smaller streams, capturing several. I do not expect Russian progress to increase on this front, as its clear that the combination of many defences and fewer Russian units (as they are allocated elsewhere) mean they simply cannot launch many attacks nor keep them going continuously (i.e. they need to pause and spend weeks shelling).

Down to the Toretsk front, where Russia has been able to launch many smaller advances due to weeks of pressure, shelling and attacks paying off. Starting on the northeast side, Russia has continued their smaller attacks near the canal area that began last week, taking over many smaller defence positions and a few treelines. Ukrainian troops here are allegedly holding up in one of the larger trench networks along the Naumykha River (slightly north of the top Russian advance) but with Russian infantry groups closing in on all sides and their positions being heavily bombarded, it is unlikely they will survive for much longer.

To the southwest, Russia diverted a couple of infantry groups to clear some of the fields and treelines between the Dyliivkas. Clashes are still ongoing in both of them, with neither side coming out on top yet.

Moving southwest again, following Ukraine’s withdrawal of the last few groups from Toretsk a few days ago, Russia has been able to take control of a chunk of the fields north of the town, as well as the small northwesternmost suburb. Nearby, the Russian infantry and recon groups operating along the ponds have managed to consolidate their positions and expand their control, taking over the opposite side of said ponds as well as the remainder of the quarry and one of the adjacent trench networks. This puts any Ukrainian positions in the Novodzerzhinskaya mine (if any) in an awkward spot as Russia can flank the remaining supply route if they just advance to the west. They could also try assault the mine from the ponds, but those Russian groups are likely just focusing on pushing west.

Heading west, on the Kostyantynivka front, over the past 5 days Russia has increased its efforts in the fields north of Zorya and Romanivka, taking over a number of the treelines. Whilst their focus is to assault and capture Oleksandro-Kalynove (under the m), some groups have been sent to push northeast towards Katerynivka, taking advantage of Ukrainian units in that area being focused on events around Toretsk.

Over on the Pokrovsk front, following on from the previous update, Russian forces were confirmed to have moved in and cleared the village of Horikhove, confirming full control of the settlement. Russia was also able to clear out the treeline between two of their previous advances northwest of Horikhove, along the Dnipro Oblast Border.

Ukraine is currently attacking and counterattacking in this area, as they are trying to keep Russia contained to the Donetsk side as they gear up for the defence of Novopavlivka, and are having varying degrees of success.

Moving down to the Velyka Novosilka front, following on closely from the previous update, Russian assault groups did indeed move straight out after the capture of Oleksiivka, clearing and capturing the small village of Zelenyi Kut. The Ukrainian forces in this area have moved back to Novoukrainka and area withdrawing from this area in smaller groups, using some of the ditches and trenches in the area as cover.

Slightly west of this, Russia has continued to make larger gains in the fields and treelines between the Vovcha and Mokri Yaly rivers, taking over a large area as they head towards the village of Zaporizhzhya. Russian assault groups were also confirmed to have cleared the centre and northern side of Komar, establishing full control over the town. Komar provides Russia a good forward base for operations in West Donetsk, and its capture almost certainly spells the end for any Ukrainian positions between the Vovcha and Mokri Yaly rivers. There are limited crossings in this area and the small villages of Yalta, Zirka and Zaporizhzhya are simply not defendable given the situation. Ukraine won’t give up on these settlements immediately, but will be forced back across the rivers once Russia moves out of Komar.

To the south, there were also some small advances around Vesele and Vilne Pole, with Russia clearing out a few fields and treelines.

On the Zaporizhia front, the Russian assault of Malynivka continues, with their troops making slightly more progress within the settlement, capturing a few more houses. There was also another small advance northeast of here, with a different Russian group clearing out a treeline near Vyshneve.

Following on from picture 1, Russian assault groups continue to move through Yunakivka, with most of the centre of the town now under their control. Clashes have now begun over the southern side of the settlement, but it does not look like Ukraine will be able to hold.

To the east, the few Russian infantry groups operating in the forests around Sadky have made further progress, clearing a number of them out as they close in on the farms. If Sadky is captured and the remaining forest areas cleared, Russia will be able to interdict the final few dirt roads leading into Yunakivka, assuming Ukraine is still present in the town at that point.

To the southeast, several weeks after Ukraine attempted to infiltrate back into Kursk towards Guevo, it has now been confirmed that they failed and were forced to retreat. At the moment this area is greyzone but is reportedly being cleared by the same Russian troops that drove the infiltration groups back.

On the Siversk front, Russian forces cleared and secured the remainder of Hryhorivka following their capture of most of the ruins 2 days prior. They are currently trying to move onto Serebryanka, however have been unsuccessful so far.

Onto the east side of the Pokrovsk front, Russian assault groups were able to consolidate their positions in Koptjeve and clear the last few houses, confirming full control of the village. At the same time another Russian group cleared out some of the treelines and dugouts between Koptjeve and Shevchenko Pershe. At this stage these Russian groups could continue on to attack Novotoretske (northwest), which would be a much more difficult battle, or could assist the Russian forces further south by clearing out most of the treelines and fields west and south of Koptjeve. Either way, the eastern pincer around Pokrovsk is continuing to grow.

To the east, following on from 4, Russia was able to capture more fields and treelines west of the reservoir. They are now 1.7km from Katerynivka, but will need to widen their control of this area before they can consider making an attempt on the village.

Back to the west side of the Pokrovsk front, this time near the city itself where Russia and Ukraine have traded some positions. Ukraine has been able to recapture some houses in Leontovychi and Zvirove after several counterattacks, whilst Russia has been able to secure part of the old railway around Pishchane.

Southwest, clashes are ongoing around Novomykolaivka and along the Dnipro Oblast border, as Ukraine launched a few counterattacks.

Following on from picture 6, Russian forces have moved out of Oleksiivka and captured the various trench networks and treelines north of the town. They’ve also secured the greyzone to the west and southwest of Zelenyi Kut, as they head towards Novoukrainka. With regards to the latter, it looks like the survivors of the Oleksiivka garrison have pulled out of Novoukrainka as well, and have reportedly set up in Dachne (further west, small village).

To the west, Russian infantry groups have continued clearing the treelines and fields south of the Vovcha River, reaching the outskirts of Zaporizhzhya. There is some confusion here over whether Russia has already taken the small village, with Russian AND Ukrainian sources mentioning it, whilst others disagree. The situation will be cleared up within the next couple of days.

Following on from picture 1, Russian forces were confirmed to have cleared and recaptured the forest area south of the Psel River in Kursk. They have also crossed the border in a few places and are trying to attack towards Myropillya, although their initial attempts have failed. Despite looking quite open, this area is quite difficult to advance through as around Myropillya is a marsh, hindering movement.

On the Oskil River front, Russia has made some smaller advances north of Ridkodub, as they gradually move towards the village of Novyi Myr.

There are also some clashes occurring in Zelena Dolyna, as the Russian assault on the village has begun.

Back to the Siversk front, this time further south around Verkhnokamyanske, where over the past two weeks Russia has gradually been able to assault and capture the fortifications south of the town. This has helped them partially secure the flank of the settlement, but they’ll need to push the front a bit further west if they want to ensure Ukraine cannot push back in.

Following on from picture 3, with Ukraine pulling back from the canal and positions near Kurdyumivka, Russian troops have been able to cross in several areas, seizing several fields, treelines and some fortifications. Ukraine is still holding its positions in the trench network mentioned earlier, but will almost certainly be forced to retreat back to Bila Hora if Russia attacks.

Southwest, a small Russian group made a minor advance east of the Novodzerzhinskaya Mine, taking over some dugouts. The greyzone in this area has also been expanded as its unclear which side is currently in control of the mine and its immediate surroundings. If Russia doesn’t already have some positions in the mine complex, they will likely attempt to take some in the coming days.