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While the military command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is busy trying to stop Russian advance on the Donbass frontlines and Russian recent breakthrough north of Pokrovsk dominated headlines, the Russian army is quietly gaining new tactical victories in all other directions, securing strategic advance including in the Kharkiv region. On the evening of August 11, assault units from Russia’s Zapad (West) group of forces raised their flag over the village of Zeleny Gai, marking Moscow’s continued progress on the Kupiansk axis. The settlement’s capture received little fanfare, yet its fall reveals deeper cracks in Ukraine’s overstretched defensive lines.
Unlike the fierce fighting raging across other sectors of the front, Zeleny Gai changed hands with minimal reported resistance. This quiet capitulation speaks volumes about the Ukrainian military’s growing challenges. The village itself may appear insignificant on the map, but its capture grants Russian troops an important stepping stone toward the town of Borova, an important Ukrainian stronghold on the eastern bank of the Oskol River. Borova serves as both a logistical hub and fortified defensive node, making its eventual assault inevitable.
The strategic implications of Zeleny Gai’s fall are becoming clear. Russian forces now threaten to advance directly on Borova-Andreivka axis while simultaneously pressuring Ukrainian supply lines along the Pershotravneve-Borova highway. This development further isolates the key town of Kupiansk from the south, where Russian troops have been methodically tightening their grip. The absence of major Ukrainian counterattacks suggests Kyiv’s forces are being stretched dangerously thin along the entire front, forced to prioritize more immediately threatened sectors like Pokrovsk over what should be equally vital defensive positions.
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Ukraine’s defensive dilemma grows more acute by the day. The lack of resistance in Zeleny Gai points to either a tactical withdrawal or simply insufficient forces to hold the line. Reports indicate Ukrainian commanders have been compelled to shift units from secondary fronts to shore up collapsing positions elsewhere. This reactive strategy creates a dangerous cycle where every redeployment weakens another section of the front, allowing Russian forces to exploit newly created gaps.
reporting by almost all warmappers in tg (with the exception of deep-state…lmao!) that ruaf has breakthrough pavlograd – kramatorsk main supply line! ruaf on frontline, osint,etc. also reports of ex-soviet republic of ukraine sending azovites to fight in there (it means they´re panicking!) if true… russia is about to finish all those pockets… again, what´s the purpose of a ceasefire for russia? except if the gains are huuuuuge?
ruaf are pressing for dobropillya (the larger, northern one) and zolotiy kolodyaz’… still to soon to see if it´s a breaktrough or just a drg recce group to take out troops from pokrovsk pocket… next 24-48 hours will be decisive…