RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1401 to 1404 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Starting today’s post on the Sumy front, Russia is maintaining their slow ramping of operations in the area, capturing the fields and treelines around Kostyantynivka and reaching the outskirts of Kindrativka. The latter was the site of one of the most intense battles on this front early this year and the largest settlement Ukraine was able to recapture in their 2 month counteroffensive, so it will be interesting to see if Russia can recapture it or if it turns into a slog like last time.

Swinging over to the northern front, Russian forces made further advances around Lyman, capturing more of the forest to the west of the village and some treelines to the east.

Down to the Siversk front, Russian infantry captured more of the trenches on the hills above Riznykivka and have started to attack the village directly.

Heading to the southern side of the same front, Russian assault groups have further levelled the frontline between Vasyukivka and Zaliznyanske, capturing a number of fields and treelines.

West of the latter, other Russian groups have pushed up the E40 highway and captured a small forest area, with at least one DRG reportedly going even further and entering Pryvillya.

To the southwest, over the past week Russia began their assault on Novomarkove and captured the small village, following its abandonment by Ukraine due to Russian shelling. The village has little value for the fighting on this front (few buildings, no good cover), but it should enable Russia to assault Markove from the northeast, avoiding some fortifications.

Down to the Dobropillya and Pokrovsk fronts, on the north side, Russian troops have slightly improved their positions north of Shakhove, capturing some treelines and closing in on the dense trench network outside Toretske.

Out west, fighting continues for Nove Shakhove, with Russian troops managing to drive Ukraine out of the village. They have yet to secure it for themselves however.

To the south, Ukraine launched yet another series of counterattacks in and around Rodynske (the 4th or 5th in the past 3 months), managing to push east of Suhetske and re-enter Zatyshok, as well as attempting to push deeper into Rodynske and the nearby coal mine. The goal is almost certainly the same as their previous attempts; to flank Russian positions and isolate the assault groups in Rodynske, allowing them to retake the town. Russia is already launching counterattacks of its own and is trying to drive out the Ukrainian groups in this area.

Onto the Novopavlivka front, positional battles are ongoing in Ivanivka, with Russian troops managing to push back into the centre of the village over the past few days.

Moving to the Hulyaipole front, in the north, Russian assault groups expanded their bridgehead over the Haichur River, capturing many treelines, fields and most of the village of Kosivtseve. Russian artillery and FABs are already hitting Ternuvate, but no assault has begun yet.

To the south, over the past couple of days Russian assault groups broke the remaining Ukrainian positions in Hulyaipole, forcing the survivors to retreat west. They’ve established control over the centre of the town (video 1, video 2) and most of the northern streets, leaving just the outer houses and commercial buildings in the greyzone.

Over on the Orikhiv front, Russia reactivated the frontline near Nesteryanka, pushing out into the fields and capturing a number of treelines. Some soldiers managed to make it into Novoandriivka, where clashes are occurring.

Heading to the Zaporizhia front, there has been a lot of movement and clarification over the past week, so bear with me. On the northwest side, Russian DRGs continue to push deeper and deeper into Prymorske, as Ukraine lacks the infantry to maintain a proper line.

East of this, some of the greyzone has been marked back as Ukrainian controlled, as it’s become clear the Russian have avoided this area so far.

East of that, other Russian DRGs made a minor advance north of Stepnohirsk, capturing part of a treeline, with one of the groups even moving much further up the E105 highway.

Within Stepnohirsk itself, the current control has been clarified as more footage and information has been released. Ukraine still controls a small portion of the town, but it has shifted to the northeast side rather than just the central apartment blocks. The few troops here are stuck in basements and ruined buildings, unable to move outside, hence why Russian DRGs have been able to freely bypass this area. On the other hand, Russia has been shown to now control more of the central highrises that Ukraine used to be dug in on, as well as part of the northern streets.

Out east, Russian assault groups have continued to take advantage of a lack of Ukrainian forces in this area, capturing more of the fortification line and several more treelines. Clashes are ongoing in Lukyanivske (orange dot), but Russian DRGs are also now approaching the outskirts of Pavlivka (blue dot).

Swinging back up to the Kharkiv Border area, Russia made some smaller advances south of Dvorichanske, capturing a couple of treelines.

Down in Kupyansk, the situation is incredibly chaotic. The northern apartment blocks area and a portion of the industrial zone (both in white), are now back in the greyzone, as recent footage has shown Russia still has a decent presence here. At the same time we still have more videos of Ukrainian troops pushing deeper into the town (video 1, video 2), so they are also trying to expand their control.

What this means is that whilst Ukraine has had great success in recapturing much of Kupyansk, Russia is still present throughout the town in areas earlier thought cleared, as Ukraine’s flood of infantry has also led to them ignoring certain sections. It is now a chaotic mess where both sides have infantry all over Kupyansk who will move back and forth, not in total control of any area but also still able to move around. Allegedly Russia has also brought in some reinforcements and more supporting units (drone teams, artillery) to try turn the situation around, so we will have to see how the battle unfolds in the coming weeks.

Over on the Lyman front, positional battles are ongoing in and around the town, with Russian DRGs managing to push to the northernmost houses and even deep into the settlement. These groups do not hang around long, as they are either picked off or withdraw, but the frontline here is becoming less cohesive as Ukraine is forced to withdraw from outer positions, but Russia is unable to gain a solid foothold.

Following on from picture 5, the Ukrainian counterattacks in Rodynske were reportedly shortlived, with Russia reportedly clearing out the few troops present and securing the town. There is always the chance Ukraine attacks Rodynske yet again and the battle reopens, but for now the street clashes have ceased.

To the south, the battle for Myrnohrad reportedly drew to a close, with Russian forces clearing out the last remnants of the Ukrainian garrison over the past week and securing the city. They even went so far as to launch fireworks from many parts of the settlement, demonstrating solid control of it. As for what happened to the Ukrainians, the few who remained at this point were either captured in groups or killed during the bombardment. Personally, I think a few stragglers may remain, but so few that it would not effect Russian control over the city.

I have seen several Ukrainian sources claim they evacuated the garrison anywhere from just days to over 4 weeks ago (contradicting each other), but these stories all rely on Ukraine controlling Rodynske and the fields south of it, which is demonstrably false. Whilst there were a small number of troops who escaped in the initial period of the battle, virtually none would have made it out after Russia secured the railway and farms to the northwest of Myrnohrad.

Following on from picture 7, Russia quickly secured the remaining streets of Hulyaipole, establishing full control of the town and ending the battle in approximately 4 weeks (video 1, video 2). Whilst the Ukrainians claim to still be present in the majority of the town, nothing could be further from the truth, with the Russians even going so far as to wave flags in almost every street of Hulyaipole.

The Russians will spend the next little while securing the surrounding area and establishing Hulyaipole as a forward base, before they push on west to Zaliznychne and north to Zelene. They have already been bombing and hitting Ukrainian troops throughout the area in preparation for their attack.

Heading up to the Oskil River front, over the past 2 weeks Ukraine launched a new counterattack towards Zahryzove, recapturing part of the forest area (was greyzone) and the farm north of Bohuslavka (Russia took it at the beginning of December). This will be the fourth Ukrainian attempt to recapture Zahryzove this year, as both sides have been unable to push the frontline away from this area.

Back to the Lyman front, this time northwest of the town where heavy clashes continue in the forest. Ukraine managed to push the first Russian assault on Yarova away from the village, but at the same time Russia took over more of the forest around Yarova and north near Oleksandrivka. The fighting will continue here for many more weeks, if not months, as neither side has the manpower presence to push the other out.

Back to the Siversk front, on the northwestern side the Russian assault on Zakitne slowly moves on, with their troops managing to capture the central houses.

Following on from picture 5, Russia reportedly capture Nove Shakhove, although the village is so badly damaged that there are few places to actually hold from. Russia will need to push out into the surrounding area and secure the nearby treelines if they wish to hold the locality.

To the south, Russia also knocked out the Ukrainian troops that reached the mine east of Rodynske, resecuring it. Further Ukrainian attacks are likely.

Back to the Novopavlivka front, Russia secured a couple of trenches and some treelines on the west side of the Solena River. It looks like they may be trying to build up a presence on this side to enable another attack back into Novopavlivka.