File image.
On November 27, the Russian military made gains in the city of Siversk, close to the city of Krasny Liman and began advancing in a new direction in Donetsk.
The Yug [South] Group of Forces captured the entire northeastern part of Siversk, pushing Ukrainian troops to the area along and to the west of the railway splitting the city in half.
The advance of Russian troops in Siversk has been faster than expected. However, Kiev forces will likely show more resistance in the west part of the city. They could also fall back to the western outskirts of the city and use the Bakhmutka River as a natural barrier.
Any Ukrainian attempt to start a lengthy battle in Siversk will be pointless, however. The Yug Group of Forces appears to have more than enough resources to capture the city, and has already begun to advance in a completely new direction a little far to the west.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the group had captured Vasyukovka, which is located half way between Siversk and Kostiantynivka.
It is unclear yet if the capture of Vasyukovka was the result of positional battles meant to improve the defensive posture of the Yug Group of Forces in this part of the special military operation zone, or just the beginning of a major offensive. If the latter is true, the goal is likely to besiege Kiev forces in Siversk and nearby areas and advance all the way north to Krasny Liman.
The Zapad [West] Group of Forces has already intensified its operations to the south of Krasny Liman, advancing towards Dibrova which is located around 22 kilometers to the north of Vasyukovka.
Russian troops have reportedly stormed the settlement after capturing 2,8 square kilometers to its east. Ukraine’s 117th Territorial Defense Brigade is said to be besieged in a small pocket nearby. Work to capture the settlement and neutralize the pocket is underway.
With Kiev forces heavily depleted, especially when it comes to manpower, it is natural of the Russian military to widen the scale of its operations.
It is still too early for a Ukrainian collapse in Donetsk, but taking everything into consideration, including the defeat Kiev is about to take in the city of Pokrovsk, such a collapse seems inevitable.
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