File image.
On December 25, the Russian military expanded its control in the city of Myrnohrad, also known as Dimitrov, and nearby areas, moving closer to a decisive victory there, all while preparing to attack the city of Dobropillya to the north in Donetsk.
The Tsentr [Center] Group of Forces advanced in the eastern part of Myrnohrad, one of two areas in the city where Ukrainian troops are still holding up in pockets, with the other being in the northwestern part. Russian troops cleared several high-rise buildings there, mainly in the Youth and Eastern district.
The drone units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have largely restricted the movement within the Ukrainian pockets inside Myrnohrad. With the city under siege, drones are the only way left for Kiev to try to send some supplies for its troops there.
Of course, the Tsentr Group of Forces is constantly working to further tighten the siege on the city, by advancing north of the city of Pokrovsk to the west.
Russian troops secured at least half of the farms located to the west of the road leading from Porkovsk north to Rodynske recently. And in Rodynske itself, the troops are working to expel Kiev forces from their last positions in the southern and western parts of the settlement.
More advance by the Tsentr Group of Forces has been also reported to the northwest of Pokrovsk, mainly in the southern part of Grishino. Little under half of the settlement is now under Russian control.
As the Ukrainian defeat in Myrnohrad is getting closer, the Tsentr Group of Forces appear to have begun advancing towards the city of Dobropillya.
Dobropillya, located right to the north of Pokrvosk and Myrnohrad, is a key logistics and command post of Kiev forces. Russian troops are currently situated in Dorozhnye, Ivanivka, and Shakhove, around 12 kilometers to the southeast of the city.
The Testentry Group of Forces has reportedly made an initial push from these three settlements towards Dobropillya. Russian troops advanced a few hundred meters along the railway leading to the city. This push was likely more of a reconnaissance by fire operation, meant to test Ukrainian defenses in the area.
Click to see full-size map.
Click to see full-size map.
All in all, this section of Donetsk will clearly remain the most active in the special military operation zone even after the capture of Myrnohrad. The attack on Dobropillya will be large in scale. Russian troops could reach the city within a few weeks, but fighting there will likely go on for months.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
