File image.
On January 15, the Russian military expanded its control to the south of Krasny Liman, after breaking through another Ukrainian line of defenses, all while expanding its control to the north of the key city in Donetsk.
The Zapad [West] Group of Forces stormed Ozerne, located some 25 kilometers to the south of Krasn Liman. Russian troops managed to capture most of the settlement’s center, and made gains in its western outskirts, securing more than 2,3 square kilometers in their initial push.
The troops later advanced into the southern part of Ozerne, bringing most of the settlement under their control without facing any real resistance from Kiev forces.
Further to the south of Ozerne, Russian troops expanded their control near Zakotnoe. The troops advanced south of the settlement and took over a hill.
The latest gains between Ozerne and Zakotnoe strengthened the stance of the Zapad Group of Forces to the south of Krasny Liman.
The main goal of the group appears to be to capture the entire area along the Siverskyi Donets River, then to expand its control close to Krasny Liman, mainly along the road linking the city with Raihorodok, a logistics center of Kiev forces, to the west.
The Zapad Group of Forces has been also expanding its control to the north of Krasny Liman, in a bid to further strangle the logistics of Kiev forces.
According to preliminary reports, Russian troops broke through a Ukrainian defense line to the south of Yarova, and managed to reach the outskirts of Pryshyb. The troops have not yet crossed the Siverskyi Donets to storm the settlement, however. The settlement is located some 32 kilometers to the northwest of Krasny Liman.
This breakthrough, if consolidated, will increase pressure on Ukrainian troops, Drobysheve, the first settlement right to the north of Krasny Liman, and allow the drone units of the Zapad Group of Forces to target all crossings on the Siverskyi Donets to the west of the city more effectively.
All in all, the battle inside Krasny Liman is clearly nearing. Russian troops are already on the city’s southern entrance, and right on its eastern part.
While Kiev forces in the city appear to be well-prepared and in control of much of the city and its outskirts, the Russian increasing pressure on their supply line could cause a quick collapse similar to the one that took place in the city of Siversk last month. In short, Ukraine could lose the city within a few months.
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