Weekly Report on Special Military Operations: Frontline Approaching Dniprohrad, but Zelensky Orders Troops to Move to Kursk Oblast.

Russian armed forces have bypassed Myrnyohrad and Pokrovske, advancing towards Konstantynivka and expanding the operational scope in Sumy Oblast.

Author: Alexei Ram

Photo: "Kornet" anti-tank missile system based on the "Patriot" pickup chassis is in operation within the Special Military Operation zone.

The past week again brought heavy disappointment to Kyiv. Russian troops firmly held the initiative and launched offensives almost across the entire contact line.

In the Donbas direction, the "Central" group of troops significantly expanded its operational range along the M-30 highway. As a result, Ukraine's defensive lines in this direction were divided into several parts. At the same time, Russian armed forces posed a threat to the main supply routes of the defenders in Pokrovske and Myrnyohrad.

Further eastward, the units of the "Central" group are suppressing Ukrainian troops in the Zarya-Yablunivka-Aleksandr-Kalinovo triangle area.

Multiple small "encirclement traps" have been formed in this direction, with large numbers of enemy combatants trapped inside.

However, the most unfavorable surprise for the enemy was the breakthrough by Russian troops north of Chasov Yar. Soldiers from volunteer corps and paratroopers successfully occupied the village of Stupochki, less than three kilometers from the suburbs of Konstantynivka.

Despite the current strategic crisis in Donbas, Kiev still attempts to break through into Kursk Oblast and establish positions. Currently, Ukraine's "offensive" focus has shifted from Zhetygenino to other areas of the Grushevsky district.

In addition, the Ukrainian command began to withdraw troops from the Donetsk direction to send them to attack the Russian border.

Meanwhile, last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian armed forces had been tasked with establishing a buffer zone to protect the territories of Kursk Oblast, Belgorod Oblast, and Bryansk Oblast from potential strikes by Ukrainian armed forces.

Breakthrough in Donbas

Last week, fierce battles took place on the Bogatyr-Otradnoye-Komar line between the forces of the "Eastern" and "Central" groups. As of publication, Komar remains in Ukrainian hands, but Bogatyr and Otradnoye have been liberated by Russian armed forces.

This breakthrough allows the Russian command to accelerate preparations for offensive operations against Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. For example, the "Eastern" group is fighting for the settlements of Zelenoye Pole and Novy Poliary, which are followed by the "triple border" region (the intersection point of the borders of three oblasts).

Meanwhile, the "Central" group began attacking Oleshove, a settlement that is the last station before the administrative boundary of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. However, the command of the "Central" group is not in a hurry to cross the border.

In this direction, Russian armed forces have already established positions and deployed new troops to prepare for a cross-border assault. During the fierce fighting in Bogatyr village last week, the "Central" group could have entered the neighboring oblast, but the group's command is not in a hurry to act. Apparently, the command is waiting for the "Eastern" group to occupy more advantageous positions before launching a joint deep attack on Ukrainian defenses.

Breakthrough in Transportation Lines

Near the M-30 highway, the forces of the "Central" group expanded their operational range and launched offensives from three directions:

  • West: Russian troops bypassed the Pokrovske-Mirnyohrad conurbation to reach the main supply line of the defenders, requiring the capture of the Rodino settlement.
  • Northeast: The "Central" group advanced towards Boratavka, liberating this settlement would open the way for Russian troops to reach Druzhkivka, a small town located a few kilometers south of Kramatorsk.
  • East: The "Central" group engaged in fierce fighting in the Zarya-Yablunivka-Aleksandr-Kalinovo triangle, attempting to crush Ukrainian forces. Notably, on this section of the front, Russian troops simultaneously suppressed enemy forces from the directions of Novyelenvovka and Toretsk/Dzerzhynsk.

As a result, Ukrainian forces were split into two "encirclements" by Russian troops, one located east of Romanov and the other surrounding the village of Zarya. Realizing the urgency of the situation, the enemy attempted a counterattack in the Zarya area and withdrew troops from the Romanov direction, but the Ukrainian command has yet to successfully implement this plan. For the Ukrainian armed forces, an unfavorable surprise was the large-scale use of FPV suicide drones by the "Central" and "Southern" groups on this front – these drones are not used to directly attack battlefield targets but are specifically designed to strike supply lines of trapped Ukrainian troops in the two "encirclements."

In addition to FPV drones, Russian forces actively used artillery and air power to blockade the enemy.

Clock and Map of Chasov Yar

Intense fighting continued throughout the week in Chasov Yar, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. Meanwhile, the Russian command secretly completed troop redeployment, concentrating forces to the north of the city. The Ukrainian troops engaged in urban warfare failed to uncover the Russian intentions.

As a result, on May 24 (Saturday), Russian troops swiftly occupied the small village of Stupochki, located on the road connecting Chasov Yar and Konstantynivka. However, Russian volunteers and paratroopers temporarily cannot directly enter Konstantynivka and need to first liberate the Predechino settlement.

No matter what, the loss of Stupochki dealt a heavy blow to the entire Ukrainian defense line in Donbas. The Ukrainian command urgently mobilized reserves to try to stop the Russian breakthrough and prevent troops from entering Predechino and Konstantynivka. But currently, the enemy lacks the necessary resources, and Kyiv once again began to withdraw troops from Donbas to the border areas of Kursk Oblast and Sumy Oblast.

Reconstruction of the Border

Over the past week, the Ukrainian command continued to attempt to break through into the Grushevsky district of Kursk Oblast, Russia. It is noteworthy that this time, the enemy abandoned the "offensive" on Zhetegenino and launched multiple cross-border attacks on other areas of the Grushevsky district, all of which were repelled. As of publication, the enemy has failed to establish a foothold and was forced to retreat with heavy losses.

Interestingly, when Pavel Zolotov, the head of the Grushevsky district, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he referred to the area as a "peninsula," emphasizing the terrain of the Russia-Ukraine border made this part of Kursk Oblast extremely vulnerable. Therefore, Zolotov emphasized the necessity of incorporating Sumy into Russian control.

Just one day after this meeting, Vladimir Putin, when speaking with reporters, mentioned that Russian armed forces had been tasked with establishing a buffer zone along the Russia-Ukraine border, and relevant work was already underway.

For example, last week, the "Northern" group not only liberated the Lokhnya settlement in Sumy Oblast but also entered the Yunkovka village. Additionally, the "Northern" group approached Alekseyevka and Vladimirovka from the west, small villages located on the N-07 state road. Liberating them would allow the Russian command to outflank the enemy forces in Sumy Oblast from the flank.

For the latest news and key content about the special military operations in Ukraine, follow the author for more information.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7508606082458124811/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone. Please express your opinions using the 'Like/Dislike' buttons below.