RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 941 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Starting off with the Kupyansk front, Russian forces continued improving their positions around their spearhead towards the Oskil River, capturing several treelines and fields, as well as one of the trench networks shown here. As mentioned in previous posts, Russia is closing in on the the towns along the Oskil River, and the important main road which supplies Ukrainian forces on the northern side of this front.

Ukraine is currently preparing Kolisnykivka, Kruhlyakivka and Hlushkivka (top blue dot) for assaults, but it will be difficult for them to hold these settlements once the outer trenchlines are breached, as their troops will be backed up against the river. At this point Russia could attack any 1 of the 3 settlements, but is likely moving up troops and securing positions closer to them to increase the chances of successful assaults.

Following on from their advances yesterday, Russian troops have captured the remainder of Nevske, as well as entirety of the fields, trenches and treelines east of the Vovcha River, between Nevske (bottom red dot) and Makiivka (top red dot). As I predicted in my previous post, Ukraine did indeed retreat from this area rather than risk being cut off, and has moved back to positions on the western side of the Zherebets River. From here, Russian troops will consolidate their new positions, and plan for further assaults west of the river, from one of the many crossings they now control.

On the Siversk front, Ukrainian troops counterattacked and recaptured several of the fields west of Zaliznyanske. Russia had captured this area towards the end of July, however was unable to make further progress due to a lack of forces, and well-defended Ukrainian positions. Further advances by Ukraine here are unlikely, as this limited counterattack was only focused on retaking their positions.

In Toretsk, Russian troops captured the slag heap/terrikon (above the p), on the eastern side of the town. Whilst they can and likely will use it as a vantage point for the fighting in Toretsk, it is much smaller than the other slag heaps in the town, and thus does not confer the same sort of height advantage.

To the south in Nelipivka, the recent Russian advances in southern Toretsk and on the west side of the Kryvyi Torets River have forced Ukraine to begin withdrawing from the area, due to the risk of being encircled. Already some forward Russian recon groups have moved towards the waste treatment plant (under the m), where some small clashes have taken place. Ukraine will easily have enough time to evacuate its troops from this area, but is still giving up a sizeable area in and around Nelipivka.

Over on the Selydove/Kurakhove front, Russian troops continue to make progress around Ukrainsk (Red dot under r). In addition to capturing the slag heap next to the abandoned mine complex (discussed yesterday), Russian troops also captured some of the fields southwest of Ukrainsk, approaching the railway line.

Russian command likely intend to capture Tsukuryne next, both to cut off one of the supply routes for Ukrainian troops along the Vovcha River (Picture below), as well as to protect their flank as they attempt to encircle Selydove

The big news item from Sunday was the Russian advances around Vuhledar. Rather than try encircle the town by capturing Novoukrainka and Bohoyavlenka (off map at the top), Russian command have instead elected to cut through the fields closer to Vuhledar (essentially just a slightly smaller encirclement).

On top of expanding their control of the fields north of Prechystivka (upper left red dot), Russian assault groups also cut northwest from their advances yesterday, using the exact same individual vehicle, small group tactics. This has allowed them to capture a large area of fields and several trenches quite quickly, as Ukrainian forces struggle with a lack of soldiers to properly man every position.

In northern Pavlivka (above the i), Russia captured more of the ruined warehouses, as their recon troops make cautious probes towards Vuhledar. On the east side, separate assault groups captured a large area of fields north and south of the number 1 mine complex, as well as capturing part of the eastern outskirts of Vuhledar itself.

At this stage, it is safe to say that Vuhledar will certainly fall to Russia, as Ukraine simply does not have the ability to halt their advances on each side. There is only 5.6km between Russian positions on either side of Vuhledar, leaving Ukraine very little space and routes to retreat by. Having left it this late, Ukraine will certainly take casualties pulling its remaining troops from the town, but should still be able to save some of them if they leave their weapons, ammunition and supplies, and evacuate now. It is unknown how large the garrison of Vuhledar and the surrounding area currently is, but there are at least some soldiers still there (as of Sunday).

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Additional Point:

· Ukraine’s control of Kursk currently sits at 671.11km2. Ukraine’s maximum control in Kursk was approximately 930km2, short of their initial claim of 1000km2, and well below their revised claim of 1300km2.