Ukrainian Forces make gains in Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut fronts, battles intensify - ISW reports
Ukrainian soldier (Photo: GettyImages)
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian forces have achieved limited territorial gains in the western part of Zaporizhzhia region and continue their counteroffensive operations south of Orikhiv. Additionally, Ukrainian troops have been advancing on the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut and have made progress in the area of Klishchiivka.
Situation in Kharkiv and Luhansk regions
On July 20, Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kremenna line. Geolocation footage indicated that Russian forces appeared to have advanced through the Kupyansk-Svatove highway, south of Novoselivka (15 km northwest of Svatove).
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian ground attacks southwest of Masiutivka (13 km northeast of Kupyansk). Colonel Mykola Urshalovych, Deputy Director of the Planning Department of the Main Directorate of the National Guard of Ukraine, stated that Russian troops recently attempted a limited offensive on the Kupyansk-Lyman line, but Ukrainian forces successfully thwarted their attacks.
Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces continued limited offensive operations east of Kupiansk and near Kreminna.
Battles in Donetsk region
Ukrainian forces continued their counteroffensive actions on the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut, achieving limited success on July 20. Geolocation footage showed Ukrainian troops advancing in the forested area of Klishchiivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut).
Commander of the 3rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Andriy Biletskyi, reported that Ukrainian forces successfully attacked units of the Russian 72nd Motor Rifle Brigade and "Storm-Z" groups, advancing 1800 meters towards Bakhmut.
Russian "war correspondents" claimed that small Ukrainian assault groups, supported by light armored vehicles, were advancing in the Dubovo-Vasylivka area (7 km northwest of Bakhmut). They also stated that Ukrainian forces had made progress towards Yagidne (directly northwest of Bakhmut) and near the E40 highway (Bakhmut-Slovyansk) in Orikhovo-Vasylivka.
A Russian source reported ongoing heavy fighting near Klishchiivka, where Ukrainian forces were conducting ground assaults. Some Russian "war correspondents" claimed that Ukrainian forces were holding positions near Klishchiivka and attempting to advance towards Andriivka and the Kurdyumivka area.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohdanivka (5 km northwest of Bakhmut), Klishchiivka, Nevelske (14 km southwest of Avdiivka), Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, and Novomykhailivka.
It was also reported that Ukrainian forces continued limited offensive actions along the Avdiivka-Donetsk line.
"Southern Axis"
Russian sources stated that a Ukrainian force, consisting of a company supported by tanks and armored vehicles, attacked Russian positions near Vuhledar in the western Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian military stated that they continued counteroffensive actions along the administrative border of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, achieving unspecified successes.
Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces were advancing towards Urozhaine and had made progress in the Novodonec'ke area.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces unsuccessfully counterattacked in an attempt to regain positions north of Prymorske. A Russian "war correspondent" asserted that Russian troops made unsuccessful counterattacks towards Novodarivka to reclaim lost positions near Rivnopillia.
On July 20, Russian official sources and media accused Ukrainian forces of launching drone strikes on occupied Crimea.
Early on July 21, in the Odesa region, at least two explosions were reported. In response, the Ukrainian Air Force warned of the threat of enemy missile use in the region.
