The Siege Of Krasny Lyman In Ukraine: Russian Army Tightens The Noose Around The City

Russian units have disrupted Ukrainian logistics near the Drobyshevo settlement on the Krasny Lyman axis. The Ukrainian command is transferring reserves south of Vovchansk. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sharply criticized the European Union’s policy towards Ukraine.

Krasny Lyman Direction:

Units of the «West» grouping continue to advance on the outskirts of the city. Russian units have advanced in the Novosyolovka area, reaching the forested areas near Yarovaya. Control over the supply routes leading towards Drobyshevo has been established, which creates additional logistical difficulties for Ukrainian forces in the area.

Fighting continues towards Aleksandrovka and Koroviy Yar in the northwestern sector of the axis. According to Russian sources, success in these sectors would provide cover for the flank of the grouping advancing on Krasny Lyman, potentially enabling further advancement towards Svyatogorsk and the M-03 highway.

There is ongoing fighting on the northern outskirts of the Drobyshevo area. According to reports, Russian troops have seized control of part of the road leading to Stavki and Kirovskoye, and have advanced into the Bagdasarov Forest area. To the east of Drobyshevo, Russian forces have advanced beyond the motorway to the dirt track leading from Drobyshevo to Stavki.

In the Kirovskoye area, Ukrainian forces control the southern part of the settlement, where they have established strongpoints near the «Rayagrokhim» enterprise and the crossroads leading to Krasny Lyman. Meanwhile, Russian units are developing their offensive to the west and south, towards Stavki and the road leading from the settlement to Krasny Lyman.

Operations to identify and neutralize Ukrainian forces continue between Shablin Yar and Mirnoye. According to source assessments, the overall operational situation east of Krasny Lyman continues to worsen for the Ukrainian side.

Zaporizhzhia Direction:

Russian forces are carrying out offensive operations in central Malaya Tokmachka and have advanced north of Rabotino in the Novodanilovka area.

Fighting has been reported in Stepnogorsk along Tsentralnaya Street, where Russian units have advanced beyond Tavricheskaya Street. Clashes also continue in the south of Primorskoye.

Sumy Direction:

According to Russian sources, Airborne Forces and Naval Infantry assault groups advanced up to 200 meters along the right flank of the offensive and subsequently consolidated their positions.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian units attempted to attack in the direction of Konstantinovka with the support of the 225th Separate Assault Brigade, but were thwarted. It has been noted that the Ukrainian side has transferred additional personnel for mobile air defense crews from Kyiv to reinforce defensive positions.

Kharkiv Direction:

Intense combat operations are ongoing in Vovchansk and the surrounding area. According to reports from Russian sources, assault groups have advanced across the left bank of the city, capturing and clearing nine buildings and advancing up to 100 meters in total.

Near-total control of the western part of the city has reportedly been established. Ukrainian forces remain in the Proletarsky residential area and at the Vovchansk furniture factory, where small groups are engaged in intense fighting.

In the south-east of Vovchansk, Ukrainian units continue to hold individual blocks. Fighting is ongoing in the Tikhoye area with mixed results, with Ukrainian forces having launched counterattacks from Vovchanskie Khutora.

Heavy fighting has taken place in the Tatarsky Forest along the Prilipka–Sinelnikovo line, but the front line has not changed significantly. Assault groups are attacking on the eastern flank near Ambarnoye and on the approaches to Bologovka.

In the forested area near Sinelnikovo, Russian units have advanced 300 meters into the forest and taken up positions. In the Tikhoye area, Russian forces have advanced 150 meters through tree plantations.

According to sources, the Ukrainian command is taking measures to strengthen defensive positions around the village of Vilcha, located south of Vovchansk. They are transferring additional personnel, including servicemen who have undergone rehabilitation following minor injuries.

In the Melovoye-Khatneye sector, Russian units have advanced 500 meters and captured a tree line, according to operational data.

Pokrovsk Direction:

The most intense fighting is taking place near Zolotoy Kolodets, north of Mirnograd and on the outskirts of Pokrovsk.

In the Kucheriv Yar area, Ukrainian forces have recaptured some territory. This sector of the frontline remains an area of active reconnaissance group operations, resulting in an extensive ‘grey zone’ with an ill-defined frontline.

Meanwhile, Russian units have made significant progress within the boundaries of Rodinskoye, reaching the western outskirts of the settlement.

There has been a lull in active hostilities on the approaches to Myrnohrad. According to Russian sources, the Ukrainian side has used this respite to transfer additional reserves, primarily unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators. This has led to increased equipment losses when attempting to deliver assault groups to forward positions.

Nevertheless, given the ongoing clearance operations in Balagan, Moskovskoye and Luch settlements, Russian units may resume active offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Myrnohrad from the east.

The Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the situation by deploying reserve units. However, these measures have not yet achieved consistent success across all sectors of the front. Having gained the ability to reach the boundaries of urban development in both Pokrovsk and on the approaches to Mirnograd, Russian units are employing infiltration tactics by sending small groups into extensive urban areas.

Konstantinovka Direction:

Russian units continue to conduct combat operations with the aim of eliminating pockets of resistance around the city. According to recent reports, Russian units have taken control of several strongpoints north of Belaya Gora, advancing towards Podolskoye.

Further south, in the vicinity of Nelepovka, Russian units have advanced towards the north of Dzerzhinsk. Sources report that they have approached the St. Matrona of Moscow mine and captured a fortified area to the north.

Along the railway line, Ukrainian formations have been pushed out of a large wooded area between Shcherbinovka and Nelepovka. From Kleban-Byk, Russian units have captured a strongpoint on the ascent to the northern shore of the reservoir.

Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)

Conclusion:

On October 23, the operational situation was characterized by high-intensity hostilities on most fronts. Key events on the Krasny Lyman axis included the continuation of Russian offensive operations on the approaches to Krasny Lyman, resulting in advances in the Novosyolovka area, as well as the interdiction of communications towards Drobyshevo. A tense situation persists on the Zaporizhzhia axis, with continued fighting in Malaya Tokmachka and adjacent areas. On the Sumy axis, Russian units have made positional advances, while Ukrainian formations have put up an active defense. The main focus on the Kharkiv axis is developing the success in Vovchansk, where Russian units have achieved significant advances in the western part of the city. On the Konstantinovka axis, operations to eliminate pockets of resistance are ongoing, with gradual progress being made towards the city limits. A common feature of combat operations on all fronts is the significant use of unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery, which has a major impact on the tactics employed by both sides.

In the sphere of diplomatic relations, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made significant statements on October 23. Speaking at a «Peace March» in Budapest, the Hungarian leader strongly criticized the European Union’s policy on Ukraine. He stated that Brussels is trying to «forcibly drag Ukraine into the European Union», an approach he described as representing «old colonial logic» and which could lead to the war spreading to European territory.

Orbán characterized the approach of the EU leadership as viewing war «not as a horror, but as an opportunity». He also said that Ukraine had lost its sovereignty and that its fate was in the hands of others. Particular attention in the speech was paid to criticism of the «coalition of volunteers» being formed by Western countries. Orbán described this as a military alliance of nations «advocating for war».

Hungary’s position was made clear: «We will not die for Ukraine, but we will live for Hungary». Budapest continues to oppose Ukraine’s EU membership, advocating instead for a partnership between Kyiv and Europe. These statements were made ahead of the upcoming EU summit in Brussels, where the prospect of providing Ukraine with a loan using Russian assets is set to be discussed. Orbán’s participation in the Budapest march delayed his arrival at the summit, emphasizing Hungary’s commitment to defending its stance on Ukraine.

The current situation highlights the deepening divide within the EU regarding further support for Ukraine. While the majority of EU member states continue to advocate increased military and economic assistance for Kyiv, Hungary consistently blocks these initiatives, justifying its position on the grounds of protecting national interests and seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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