RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 875 - Suriyakmaps

Russian forces advanced west of Marfopil, capturing several fields and a few small trenchlines. This is the first bit of activity seen on this area of the front in 2 months (Day 814), with Russia previously only increasing the buffer slightly around Marfopil to the north. At this stage it is too early to tell if this was just an opportunistic advance on a quiet area of the front, or if Russia may be restarting operations to try take Guliaipole.

Russia captured the remainder of the northern side of Novoselivka Persha, as fighting continues near the river and on the eastern side. Ukrainian forces are trying to stall as long as possible in order to prepare positions further back near Mezhove, and will likely retreat/be pushed out over the next week or 2.

Whilst Russian sources are correct in their statements that Ukrainian forces only have 1 supply road left to the eastern side of the Vovcha river, Ukrainian forces will almost certainly not be encircled in this area. The river is thin and slow enough that a Ukrainian soldier could swim across with relative ease, and several soldiers could carry an injured person across on a makeshift raft. This does however not apply to vehicles, so any Ukrainian IFVs or Armoured cars still left on the eastern side will be funnelled towards the 1 crossing, which Russia will almost certainly be watching.

In Zalizne, Russian forces advances along the southeastern streets, managing to knock out the Ukrainian forces based in the school (right at the tip of the arrow). At this stage, Russian units in this group of towns are fighting in 3 separate areas, with most advances coming as a result of sporadic pushes of small groups of Russian infantry. There are no clear defensive lines or areas of control, as both sides do not have enough soldiers here to man the buildings.

As mentioned yesterday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from the eastern side of Kalinina and the farm complex, and Russian control has now been confirmed. Interestingly, a Ukrainian source published a video of an artillery strike on claimed Russian positions in Chasiv Yar, which was geolocated to 1.2km WEST of the canal. This would put them deep into the residential area which was supposed to be controlled by Ukraine, however I can't verify it yet as the video is inconclusive. It may be another case of Ukraine claiming a Russian strike as their own, such as with the MRAP next to the canal a month and a half ago.

Russian forces advanced east of Terny, captured several treelines. This is a different area to the one Ukraine recaptured a few weeks ago (that one is under the @).

Ukrainian forces control most of central Starytsia, after some attacks launched from the forests to the south. This advance allegedly occurred back at the beginning of July, but was only recently confirmed due to released footage. The dense forests in this area limit the use of vehicles and drones, and thus most of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine is taking place with infantry. There are also fewer troops here for both sides, as the focus is on Vovchansk to the east.

Russian forces continued their advance near Prohres, managing to quickly push through Ukrainian lines through the forest, getting to the very edge of the village (<10m from first buildings). The Ukrainian 23rd Mechanised Brigade is having issues defending against Russian assault forces, as it is not particularly well equipped, and is also dealing with Russian attacks to the north at the same time (Lozuvatske). Russian forces here will likely try capture the small village within the next few days, as well as forcing Ukraine to retreat from the fields and trench network to the south.

Following on from yesterday, Russian forces continued their push towards the O0532 road, capturing several treelines along the stream in the north, as well as a large chunk of the fields to the south. The Ukrainian forces in this area look to be falling back towards defensive positions set up along the main road, as they have not been fairing well against Russian forces here due to the open terrain and rapid assaults.

Whilst Ukraine may be able to hold the road itself using the defences there, Russia's objective of cutting off supplies to Vuhledar would still be complete, as obviously it cannot be used as a supply route once the front line gets too close to it.