File image.
The Russian military began to develop its offensive operations in the Dobropillya salient, to the north of the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk direction, by September 30, all while pushing deeper into the Dnepropetrovsk direction in what appears to be the beginning of a promising breakthrough.
In the Dobropillya salient, the Tsentr [Center] Group of Forces secured a large area to the north of Poltavka. A key route linking Sofievka, located to the northeast of the settlement, with Kostiantynivka to the east has been reportedly cut by Russian troops.
In addition, attacks were launched from the area around Poltavka towards Shakhovo, Sofievka and Vladimirovka. These attacks are clearly meant to clear the Ukrainian pocket that is splitting the salient. Kiev forces maintain strong defense lines there.
Russian troops are also reported to have entered Kucheriv Yar and its outskirts at the tip of the salient, renewing pressure on Kiev forces in Zolotyi Kolodyaz, Vesele and Hruz’ke.
The latest gains in the salient came following a wave of Ukrainian counterattacks that failed to sever the main supply routes of Russian troops.
Meanwhile in Dnepropetrovsk, the Vostok [East] Group of Forces expanded its control in Verbove, with reports suggesting that Russian troops reached the last reservoir in the west of the settlement.
Russian troops advanced more than seven kilometers in this direction in recent weeks. A salient is now taking shape there. Verbove will likely be full secured within a few days and further advance towards Vysheve is to be expected. Once this happens, Kiev forces defending the area from Poltavka to Huliapole in Zaporozhye will find themselves under unprecedented pressure. A breakthrough will be possible.
Further to the west in Zaporozhye, the Vostok Group of Forces’ attack on Stepnogorsk is still ongoing. Kiev forces have been holding onto their positions in the settlement. However, they appear to be incapable of conducting a counter attack to push Russian troops out from the southern outskirts of the settlement, that’s at least for now.
Overall, the Ukrainian counterattacks in Dobropillya salient appear to have failed. And while the defenses of Kiev forces in the pocket splitting the salient appear to be well-prepared, they could soon collapse. The Ukrainians are facing a similar danger in Dnepropetrovsk, where the advance of Russian troops in Verbove and nearby appear to be accelerating.
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are we not doing daily video reports anymore ?