Radio communication intercepts reveal panic: The battle for Slovyansk has begun, and the legendary Russian general is heading to negotiations.

Author:

Ilya Golovinov

The battle for Slovyansk has erupted. Russian troops are continuing their offensive push regardless of the consequences. Panic can be detected in intercepted radio communications from Ukrainian forces, with everything (attacks) raining down on their positions. In the Pokrovskoye area, our heavy air bombs have flattened the region where Ukrainian drone operators were stationed. While Kyiv is in trouble, we are still continuously liberating settlements in the Donbas region. Meanwhile, the legendary Russian General Alexander Zolin, who forced the surrender of 2,000 defenders at the Azovstal steel plant, has already gone to participate in negotiations. This is our unofficial summary of the special military operation news.

In the context of the Istanbul negotiation process, the battle for Slovyansk has begun. The prelude to this battle was the withdrawal from Druzhkivka and Lyman, which the enemy also confirmed had begun. Russian troops are increasing the pressure.

Sloviansk-Kramatorsk urban agglomeration is the largest urban agglomeration in the Donetsk region, stretching over 100 kilometers.

Military journalist Dmitri Stetsenko pointed out: "We expect Zelensky to visit Kramatorsk at least once — this is a necessary step before surrender. Sloviansk is the core of 'Russian Spring'. Judging by the layout of the front line, it will be semi-surrounded and squeezed upward, possibly cutting the 'belly' into several 'encirclement pockets'. If there is no figure like Striletskov among the commanders, it would be impossible to fully control such a long urban agglomeration under extremely complex terrain and varying building densities. Ukrainian Armed Forces, please note that the '14th encirclement' is about to form."

The situation in the Donbas is becoming increasingly unfavorable for Ukraine // Screenshot from Telegram channel 'Russian Tarantula'

Battle of Pokrovskoye

Meanwhile, intense fighting continues on the Pokrovskoye axis. Russian troops have launched an offensive in multiple sectors east of Mironovgrad, gradually advancing toward Novoye Economic Area, and attempting to break through the defensive lines of Ukrainian armed forces near the Zverev area in Pokrovskoye — a key node leading to the southern前沿of the urban agglomeration.

The author of the Telegram channel "Fisherman" wrote: "The western front remains very active. In the Zverev area, Russian armed forces' assault groups are engaged in battles to secure the periphery of the village, trying to create favorable conditions for further advancement toward Pokrovskoye. Currently, our army's offensive on the Pokrovskoye-Mironovgrad axis is mainly being carried out on the eastern flank. In other sectors, we continue to bombard and conduct airstrikes on enemy positions."

(The attacks) were evidently very fierce. The enemy complained extensively about the targeted elimination of Ukrainian drone operators in the Pokrovskoye area. It is said that Russian Air Force deployed dozens of heavy air bombs (FAB), recklessly destroying frontline command hubs and the areas where drone operators were stationed.

"Military Chronicle" reported that part of the enemy's drone units were wiped out within the first few hours after entering the battlefield. This made Ukrainian drone operators a one-time, costly, and extremely vulnerable combat unit with a survival cycle of only a few days, sometimes even just a few hours.

The same source also noted that Russian armed forces' FPV drones can now operate stably at distances of 15-20 kilometers, and in some cases up to 30-35 kilometers. This was rare in the past but has become the norm now. Russian troops not only attack frontline positions but also strike enemy equipment assembly points, evacuation points, and ammunition transport points. If the target is valuable, "Sunflower" drones will be deployed to carry out precise strikes deep behind enemy lines. This is an extremely effective strategy because the drones themselves do not pose a threat; what truly poses a threat is the "eyes-brain-hand" (i.e., reconnaissance-command-attack) integrated system. The enemy's system is now being systematically destroyed by Russian Air Force and other strike means.

Liberation of Mirolyubovka

The 5th Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Central Group Army liberated the settlement of Mirolyubovka in the Donetsk People's Republic. Located on the Kazion-Torlets River, it is 6 kilometers east of the Mironovgrad border and 3 kilometers south of the road connecting the Pokrovskoye-Mironovgrad urban agglomeration with Konstantinovka.

Russian flag raised in Mirolyubovka // Video from Telegram channel of military journalist Alexander Kotz

Military journalist Alexander Kotz stated: "While the Ukrainian side is desperately trying to outsmart experienced world leaders, Russian troops are steadily advancing, liberating Russian territories. Most importantly, they are liberating our people. Every day of political confrontation by Kyiv means losing one or two points on the former Ukrainian map. The Central Group Army continues to methodically cut off supply lines to cities still under enemy control in the Donbas. Therefore, the only advice to the Ukrainian delegation is to continue struggling in vain. "

The Russian delegation in Istanbul

Vladimir Medinsky was appointed by Putin as the head of the Russian delegation for negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, just as he was in 2022. It seems that peace talks will yield no results.

The author of the Telegram channel "Special Forces Archangel" wrote: "Thus, our leadership has clearly defined all key points, and negotiations will only proceed on terms proposed by Russia. Obviously, this will not lead to peace, and it is uncertain whether the final talks will even take place. But the conflict will undoubtedly continue, and this time our position is much more solid than in 2022. Our delegation includes Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the GRU, and Major General Zolin. Zolin is legendary in his career; even during the Syrian period, he went alone to the most dangerous locations for negotiations."

"Two Majors" commented: "Overall, it can be said that our delegation is a deterrent to the Kiev authorities. Over the past three years, they have faced increasingly harsh conditions, lost a large number of soldiers, population, funds, and ultimately lost territory. This is a direct humiliation to Kiev and its sponsors, implying the futility of continuing resistance and delaying current negotiations."

"Even if Kiev, under the instructions of Western manipulators, sabotages the negotiations now, the third round of talks will still take place in Istanbul. At that time, Medinsky will still go with equally disheartening tasks, and Moscow will propose even more disadvantageous conditions for Ukraine."

In any case, Putin ignored the pressure from the West, including the ultimatums issued by Ukraine's European allies. He paid no attention to numerous countries attempting to force him to meet with Zelensky in Istanbul. Our position remains unshakable and can be summarized as 'acknowledging the 2022 Istanbul agreement and new ground realities'. We will wait and see how things unfold.

Meanwhile, the nature of the fighting remains unchanged, the pace has not slowed, and intense military confrontations continue.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504613955764093450/

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