The Russians tighten the hoop: Key cities occupied

Also, they continue their advance towards Pokrovsk. Ukrainian soldiers in the town of Lozova, in the Kharkiv region, about 30 kilometers southeast of Kharkiv, are threatened with encirclement.

Russian forces are advancing north and south of the settlement, pushing Ukrainian units toward the river.

According to information from the TASS agency, referring to its expert. "During the last 24 hours, our units managed to improve the tactical situation in the north and east of Lozova. The advance of Russian forces in this area creates a risk that Ukrainian units will be surrounded."

The expert added that, if the command of the Ukrainian battalion does not react in a timely manner, these units will be pushed towards the river and will be left with no means of retreat. In the Kharkiv region, according to TASS agency experts, Ukrainian forces have been pushed up to five kilometers from Tabayevka. After the artillery preparation, the Russian infantry managed to break through the front line and occupy part of the forest, which improves their position for the attack on Kupyansk, according to TASS.

The Russian advance near Kupyansk is also confirmed by the Institute for the Study of War. Russian forces broke through the line near Zahriyzov, about 10 kilometers south of Kupyansk, towards the Oskil River, which they are trying to cross. They are also advancing towards the west bank of the Oskil River, north of Kupjansk, to the important R79 road that connects Kupyansk with Dvoriči located further north.

The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that the Russians are attacking along the entire front near Kupyansk. The American Institute for the Study of War adds that the Russians are also attacking north of Kharkiv, near Liptsi and Vovchansk.

Direction towards Kramatorsk

Apart from Kupyansk, Russian forces are trying to capture the last two large cities in the Donetsk region, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk. According to the words of a fighter of the Russian volunteer brigade "Español", Ukrainians are also preparing for the defense of Kostiantynivka, which is located on the road to Kramatorsk, reports TASS.

The Russians are advancing towards the city from the direction of Toretsk, located in the southeast, where they passed through the center of the city and reached the western edge, which opens their way to Kostiantynivka, according to the Institute. Kostantinivka could also be threatened from the northeast, if Chasiv Jar falls. According to the Institute, the Russians are continuing their attacks on Chasiv Yar and are trying to clear the city's surroundings..

Strike on Pokrovsk

The Russians also managed to advance on the main autumn attack line towards Pokrovsk, where they moved south-west of the city, towards Novovasilivka and near Shevchenko. In the south of the Donetsk region, according to the TASS agency, the Ukrainians tried to withdraw from Uspenivka further south, towards Kurakhov. However, they suffered losses during the maneuver, according to TASS, citing a military source: "In Uspenivka, the enemy lost most of his unit. They tried to get out of the trap, but the decision was made too late," the source said. According to him, the Ukrainians have lost dozens of soldiers in Uspenivka in the last two weeks. The Russians also conquered three square kilometers near the neighboring Zelenivka.

However, the Institute for the Study of War has not confirmed Russian advances in this area. According to their information, the Ukrainians managed to repel the attacks. The TASS agency states that the Ukrainians have transferred part of their units from the Kharkiv region towards Pokrovsk, which the Russian command explains as the reason why the advance towards this city has been taking months. Russian forces have also retaken positions from which the Ukrainians advanced along the Mokri Yali River towards the Sea of ​​Azov last summer.

"Russian soldiers have crossed the Mokri Yali river near Storozhovo. The fighting for this place continues," Vladimir Rogov, president of the commission for sovereignty and veterans, told TASS. Storozovo is located east of Velika Novosilka, from where the Ukrainians launched their offensive last year. Throughout the fall, the Russians have been using the same offensive tactics along the entire front line, not focusing on one point, but trying to take advantage of the fact that Ukraine's overstretched defenses cannot hold the entire front. The advance of the Russian forces, although accompanied by heavy losses, is small but continuous.