RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 888 and 889 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Recent geolocated footage of Russian strikes on Ukrainian positions has shown Ukraine controls more territory on this area of the Kupyansk front than previously thought. This advance likely took place a while ago, and wasn't corrected until now as this area of the frontline has been quite stagnant.

Russia's gains in Luhansk Oblast in July occurred north and south of here, so this area has just been overshadowed by other developments. However, an advance is still an advance, no matter when it occurred, so the correction still gets added to the statistics.

Russian forces captured one of the large fields east of Synkivka (bottom red dot), as they slowly make their way around the defences in and around the village. There have been several geolocated strikes on Ukrainian positions within Synkivka, but no fighting has actually been reported there, as Russia seeks to avoid the strong Ukrainian defences.

In Vovchansk, Russian forces captured another of the ruined apartment buildings in the centre of the town, as they slowly push Ukraine out of the strongpoints there.

To the south, Ukraine has been confirmed to have retaken the area south of the river. The Russian groups that allegedly crossed there a few weeks ago likely retreated shortly after, as almost no fighting was reported, but it has taken some time to confirm that as fact.

The situation continues to decline for Ukrainian forces in the Niu-York/Toretsk area. Russian forces captured the remaining southern side of Zalizne, with Ukraine quickly losing control of the town, as previously discussed here. Russia will likely capture the remainder of Zalizne, just a few more residential streets, within the next few days, as Ukraine has had to pull back into the forest area due to a lack of forces.

In Niu-York, Ukrainian forces counterattacked in the railway area, forcing Russia to retreat back across to the other side of the Kryvyi Torets River. Simultaneously, Russian forces made more progress along the main road, capturing another chunk of the residential areas.

As Suriyak has highlighted on the map, there is now only a 3.4km gap between Russian controlled areas in Niu-York and Zalizne. This does not tell the whole story however, as this gap is quite treacherous terrain, being relatively hilly, only dirt roads/paths, and having 2 artificial lakes and a reservoir in it. This will make the retreat for the Ukrainian forces still occupying the old 2014 defence line extremely difficult, and they will almost certainly suffer casualties whilst crossing the open ground. These troops should have evacuated long ago, but likely held their positions as giving up this area all but dooms any hope of holding Niu-York.

For Russia, there is also the possibility that the assault groups in Zalizne, once the capture the last section of the town, may try advance towards Nelipivka along the main road, in order to cut off the Ukrainian positions in central Niu-York.

The Russian offensive around Prohres continues. As I predicted yesterday, the northern assault troops have continued advancing west out of Tymofiivka, using the river to cover their flank. This advance resulted in the capture of more fields, and a small trench network. This leaves one more trench network just slightly west of their current positions, before they reach Lysychne. Ukrainian forces here are simply too attritioned to try put up a coherent defence, and will not be able to stop the Russian forces from advancing to Lysychne and Svyrydonivka.

To the south, a different Russian unit captured the fields east of Ivanivka, as well as the southern side section of the village, including the small trench network I mentioned yesterday. The Ukrainian 151st Mech Brigade will unlikely be able to hold the village, as Russia threatens to cut them off with their advances east and south.

Just to the west of Ivanivka, Russia has captured the remainder of Vesele from the 151st Mech Brigade, and the adjacent fields. From here, they will likely push west towards the very top section of Serhiivka, as well as moving towards the trench networks between Hrodivka and Ivanivka.

Along the railway, Russian assault groups have continued advancing southwest, and have captured the station and a few of the surrounding buildings. Ukrainian forces here have set themselves up in central and eastern Zhelanne (bottom red dot), allowing Russia to easily advance up the railway line.

To the east of this, Russia has captured the large trench network near the Vovcha river, as Ukrainian forces retreated towards Zhelanne. Russia is getting very close to capturing the crossings near Novoselivka Persha, which would allow the 114th motorized rifle brigade, which has been on a short break following their capture of the town, to join this Russian offensive west.

On a side note, various sources have mentioned that Russia has been making good progress with fewer casualties in this offensive by going around Ukrainian defences (due to few troops making the flanks weak), forcing Ukraine to retreat, at which point Russia shells and bombs the withdrawing units. Ukraine's manpower issues mean there are many gaps Russia can exploit, and they can't simply try hold their ground in these trench networks as they would be encircled.

Russian assault groups have reached and captured a section of the O0532 road to Vuhledar/Ugledar, cutting the key Ukrainian supply route. Ukrainian reinforcements and supplies will now have to travel along the poor quality dirt roads that weave along the fields to reach that area of the front, making it far more inefficient, unresponsive, and slow.

From here, Russian forces will likely try even out the frontline, pushing up to the road across a broad area, before continuing their advance north and west.