ISW names key Russian target in push toward Sloviansk
Photo: ISW named the key target of the Russians for the offensive on Sloviansk (Getty Images)
The Lyman direction is seeing highly dynamic combat activity. At present, Russian forces view Lyman as a more important objective for a future offensive toward Sloviansk than Siversk, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to geolocated footage from December 13, Ukrainian forces managed to regain lost positions northwest of Lyman, in the southern part of the village of Karpivka. At the same time, Russian troops achieved partial success in the northern part of the same settlement.
Russian forces continue to apply pressure in the area of the Serebrianske Forestry and are attempting to implement encirclement tactics.
According to Colonel Dmytro Zaporozhets, spokesperson for the 11th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops are trying to outflank Yampil (southeast of Lyman) from both the northern and southern directions.
He noted that if these maneuvers continue, the situation in Yampil could significantly deteriorate. The main factor complicating the defense at present is poor weather conditions.
For the occupiers, however, the main obstacle is water barriers, including the Siverskyi Donets River. This factor prevents Russian forces from effectively sustaining their units near Serebrianka and Dronivka.
The spokesperson emphasized that Lyman is a more important target for Russian forces in future operations against Sloviansk than Siversk.
On the Siversk direction, the occupiers also achieved some success. Footage from December 13 shows that the invaders recently advanced in the central part of Sviatopokrovske (south of Siversk).
Situation in Donetsk region
As a reminder, British intelligence previously reported that Russian forces continue attempts to advance in the Siversk area of Donetsk region, taking advantage of unfavorable weather conditions. At the same time, Russia’s claims of full control over the city do not correspond to reality.
According to the latest data, the Defense Forces continue to hold the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration despite increased pressure from Russian troops.
