RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1218 to 1220 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Russian Forces Advance: 0.04 km²

Advance = 0.04km2

For the first time in a while we’re starting off on the northern front, around Vovchansk. Over the past few days Russian troops have become a bit more active around the Vovcha River, and for the first time since June 2024 have crossed it west of the town. This was only one small group, but it shows that Russia is at least considering trying to push into southern Vovchansk, which they have been bombarding heavily. They could also simply be threatening to push into southern Vovchansk to try provoke a Ukrainian response and the movement and more units to this front.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.77 km²

Advance = 1.77km2

On the west side of the Pokrovsk front, following on from the previous update, Russian troops have continued to expand the buffer around Novoserhiivka following its capture a few days ago, taking over some fields and treelines to the north of the village. As mentioned last time, they are focusing on heading north towards Udachne and Molodetske due to there being better cover than if they were to try move west.

Russian Forces Advance: 6.53 km²

Top Advance = 2.16km2, Lower Left Advance = 2.27km2, Bottom Left Advance = 2.10km

Context

Over on the Velyka Novosilka front, to the north, the Russian assault group that entered Yalta has finished clearing the village, confirming full control of the settlement. Like with the village of Zaporizhzhya before it, there were few Ukrainian troops left here and most were killed/driven out by drones and artillery before they even reached the first houses. They are now turning their attention to Zirka, to finalise the capture of all settlements between the Mokri Yaly and Vovcha Rivers.

Context

To the southwest, the Russian assault on Shevchenko continued, with their troops taking over the majority of the village and some of the adjacent fields. There are only a few houses left to clear at this point, but Ukraine has effectively been driven out and its unlikely they could counterattack to turn the battle around. Suriyak also marked the fields and warehouses south of Shevchenko as under Russian control, although as I mentioned last post that is likely where the assault first began from, so has been under their control for days now.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.83 km²

Advance = 1.83km2

On the Zaporizhia front, over the past week Russian assault groups in Malynivka have captured the remainder of the southern side of the small town, now controlling about 50% of the settlement. Clashes are ongoing over the centre, so we’ll have to wait another week to see if the Russians can keep up their momentum or if Ukraine can stabilise.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.34 km²

Lower Left Advance = 0.92km2, Bottom Advance = 2.42km2

Up to the Oskil River front, Russia made some gains in the fields and treelines south of Zelena Dolyna and northwest of Kolodyazi. With regards to the latter, the situation within the village is unclear as both sides are reportedly holding positions and trying to withstand the constant drone attacks. Russia is therefore likely trying to advance around Kolodyazi to flank the settlement and cut off supplies to the garrison.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.59 km²

Advance = 0.59km2

On the Kostyantynivka front, Russia made a minor advance northwest of Yablunivka, capturing some treelines and the remainder of a field. Operations in this area have slowed right down and returned to the standard heavy shelling and small, infrequent advances.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.27 km²

Advance = 4.27km2

Following on from picture 2, meeting minimal resistance, Russian troops have gain pushed north of Novoserhiivka, capturing the remaining area around the reservoir and several more treelines. Whilst some of these treelines do directly connect to Udachne, it will not be easy to breach the western side of the settlement as Ukraine has quite the strong garrison here.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.74 km²

Advance = 0.74km2

Following on from picture 3, Russia was confirmed to have cleared out the last few houses in Shevchenko, confirming full control of the settlement. The assault took a little over 5 days and reportedly they are already trying to establish a buffer around the settlement to protect from Ukrainian counterattacks.

Russian Forces Advance: 4.24 km²

Advance = 4.24km2

Back to the Zaporizhia front, this time in Mala Tokmachka where Russia has been able to make decent progress in their assault on the town. This advance has taken place over the past two weeks, with reports and evidence only recently being released showing their progress. Russia first became active in this area back in late April, going between periods of multiple daily attacks and no movement as they focused on shelling/droning. It seems this time they have softened up the Ukrainian garrison enough to push further into the settlement, but only time will tell if they can hold their positions or get driven back in another Ukrainian counterattack.

Russian Forces Advance: 6.17 km²

Advance = 6.17km2

Further west on the same front, over the past week Russia has launched a series of attacks in Kamyanske, driving Ukraine back and securing the southern side of the town. Once Ukraine’s attack a few weeks back ran out of steam and the assault groups defeated, Russia was also to pressure the remaining Ukrainian troops south of the stream and push them out with attacks from multiple directions. Ukraine still maintains a decent garrison in northern Kamyanske, so the question now is whether Russia can successfully cross the stream or is content with having re-established their defence line.

Russian Forces Advance: 2.95 km²

Advance = 2.95km2

Onto the Kupyansk front, where Russia has recently restarted operations on the southern side (although low intensity). Their troops were able to gradually retake Kolisnykivka over the latter part of June, clearing out the remaining houses and a chunk of the forest area. They are currently trying to move into southern Hlushkivka, although I do not believe they will make much progress as few troops have been operating in this area.

To the south, another Russian group has pushed south and reached the small village of Nova Kruhlyakivka. If they are successful in their assault, it will allow Russia to secure the remaining area north of the Lozova River and make defending this part of the front much easier.

Ukrainian Forces Advance: 0.61 km²

Advance = 0.25km2,Middle Advance = 0.36km2

Heading down to the Oskil River front, Ukraine’s counterattack in Ridkodub continues, with their assault groups taking several more houses on the western side. Clashes have now moved to the central area and northern warehouses, with both sides making ample use of drones and artillery.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.95 km²

Top Advance = 0.26km2, Bottom Advance = 0.69km2

Moving to Chasiv Yar, there has several movements by both sides over the past few days. Starting on the north side, Russia was able to re-establish control of the last few streets in northern Chasiv Yar, where Ukraine pushed back into a few months ago.

To the south, Ukraine launched a counterattack from Mykolaivka into the western suburbs, recapturing a number of houses and almost reaching the central apartment buildings once again. Ukraine is trying to infiltrate the apartment buildings to try stall the battle for the town once again, as clearing the ruins is quite difficult and slow.

At the same time to the south, Russia was able to finish securing the Levanevskoho district and is now pressure the western edge of Chasiv Yar. If they can capture those streets they will be able to force Ukraine back from the western edge of the town, or at least to Chervone.

Russian Forces Advance: 3.16 km²

Middle Advance = 0.71km2, Right Advance = 2.45km2

Back to the Kostyantynivka front, this time a bit further south. Russian troops have made a few gains in the fields south of Yablunivka and southwest of Katerynivka. Fighting is ongoing in the former, whilst Russia is trying to reach the latter by clearing a path through the fields.

Russian Forces Advance: 0.28 km²

Advance = 0.28km2

On the south side of the Pokrovsk front, Russia made a minor advance north of Shevchenko, taking over the last houses along the old railway. Apparently this is considered a separate village (Belgiana) and not part of the town of Shevchenko, although this means little as the few buildings there have been mostly destroyed. Whilst this does help Russia secure the northern flank of Shevchenko, its unlikely they will be able to push into Pokrovsk via the treelines here.

Russian Forces Advance: 6.31 km²

Lower Left Advance = 4.85km2, Bottom Left Advance = 1.46km2

Following on from picture 8, with Shevchenko secured Russian troops in the southern side of the town, as well as from Vilne Pole and Zelene Pole have started moving into the fields west and north of said settlements, clearing out a number of treelines. Their goal will be to reach Komyshukavkha and push the frontline up to the Dnipro-Donetsk border, same as they did with the Zaporizhia-Donetsk border to the south.

Russian Forces Advance: 1.29 km²

Middle Advance = 0.76km2, Right Advance = 0.53km2

Following on from picture 10, at least 1 Russian assault group managed to cross the stream in Kamyanske and enter the northern side of the town. They are currently trying to secure their foothold there, whilst Ukraine shells them and launches counterattacks to try drive them out. If they can secure positions, we may actually see Russia push into northern Kamyanske for the first time.

To the east, Russia was confirmed to have secured the ruined warehouses in Stepove and part of the treelines east of the village. In all likelihood this probably happened months ago when Russia first captured most of Stepove, but a lack of evidence meant Suriyak had left these warehouses in the greyzone. This has little effect on the frontline here, as these ruins provide no benefit or positions Russia could occupy, instead just confirming their capture of Stepove, the last settlement they needed to recapture to undo Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive progress.