File image.
On December 31, the Russian military made gains near the key cities of Krasny Liman and Pokrovsk in Donetsk, as well as close to the large settlement of Stepnogorsk in Zaporozhye.
The Zapad [West] Group of Forces advanced to the north of Krasny Liman, mainly around Yarova. Russian troops expanded their control in the northern outskirts of the settlement, then pushed to the east and south of it, reaching the right bank of the Siverskyi Donets River for the first time in this area.
The push completely severed a key road that leads to the northern entrance of Krasny Liman, and isolated Ukrainian troops in Yarova from three directions.
The Zapad Group of Forces will likely expand its control along the right bank of the river westward, to Sviatohirsk. Sosnove, a small railway settlement located to the north of Sviatohirsk, is already under attack. Russian troops are reported to be operating inside the settlement.
Moving to the west in Donetsk, the Tsentr [Center] Group of Forces is advancing to the north of Pokrovsk at slow, but steady rate.
Russian troops cleared some 2,7 square kilometers to the northeast of the city, mainly along the southern and eastern outskirts of Hryshyne.
Most of the southern part of Hryshyne is already under Russian control, and the recent push from Pokrovsk indicates that the Tsentr Group of Forces is planning to launch a large-scale attack to storm the eastern part of the settlement and push Ukrainian troops out.
Kiev forces have been using Hryshyne as a staging ground for attacks on Pokrovsk. Thus, capturing the settlement is essential before advancing towards the main next target in this direction, the city of Dobropillya.
Further to the west in Zaporozhye, the operations of the Vostok [East] Group of Forces around Stepnogorsk are still gaining momentum amid an apparent collapse in Ukrainian defenses.
Russian troops captured 4,3 kilometers between Stepnogorsk and Prymorske, setting the stage for a wider push towards the Konka River.
Most of Prymorske, located on the right bank of the Konka, is already reported to be under the control of the Vostok Group of Forces, and the capture of the settlement could lead to the collapse of most Ukrainian defenses to the south of the river. This may happen within a few weeks.
All in all, the recent Russian gains near Krasny Liman, Pokrovsk, and Stepnogorsk shows that Ukraine has not recovered from its recent defeats. Kiev appears to have no more resources to keep fighting along the current frontline, not just in Donetsk and Zaporozhye, but even in Kharkiv and Sumy.
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