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Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Sukhaya Balka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), marking another tactical advance in the direction of Konstantinovka in the ongoing Donbass offensive. LINK On April 22nd, the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation confirmed the victory, which came after Ukrainian forces attempted counterattacks during the brief Easter ceasefire period.
Despite the temporary truce, Ukrainian forces tried to regain lost positions in the northern part of Sukhaya Balka but were repelled. Russian units then intensified their assault, launching the mop up operations on the outskirts of the settlement.
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The Russian flag was raised in Sukhaya Balka back on April 19th, but the Russian military officially acknowledges the victory after the end of the mop up operations and after the outskirts are secured.
With the ceasefire over, Russian troops resumed offensive operations across a 15-kilometer front, targeting multiple sectors simultaneously. In addition to securing Sukha Balka, Russian assault detachments destroyed enemy strongholds west of Nelepovka and Leonidovka. This consolidation of control secures Russia’s rear, paving the way for further advances toward Shcherbinovka, one of key logistical hubs of Ukrainian forces in the region. At the same time, Russian troops are increasing pressure, approaching Romanovka, while engaging in fierce urban combat in Dyleevka, where fighting has reached the center of the village
Russian victory in Sukhaya Balka disrupts Ukrainian defensive lines near Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk), a critical sector in the Donbass. Russian forces are now threatening Shcherbinovka, which, if taken, could further destabilize Ukrainian supply routes on a wide front. This latest advance underscores Russia’s growing momentum in the Donbass, as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold key defensive positions amid relentless pressure. With Russian troops continuing to push on multiple axes, further territorial shifts appear imminent in the coming days.
