UA POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 1655 to 1661 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Beginning a post on the main Sumy front for the first time in a while, on the northwest side Russian troops entered and recaptured most of Novokostiantynivka as well as some of the fields around it. As always, these small border villages on both sides are almost always empty, so this was a rather simple matter of a single Russian group heading it and clearing a couple of houses (unlikely to hang around).

To the southeast, Ukraine has been counterattacking along the Oleshnya River over the past couple of weeks and has managed to recapture Ivolzhanske and the outer houses of Kyyantysya (was only greyzone). They are continuing to clash over Nova Sich, which remains in the greyzone.

Onto the Kharkiv border area, after a few weeks of lighter clashes Russian assault groups have taken over most of Hoptivka, with only the outer houses still in the greyzone. Ukraine maintains a presence in the neighbouring villages, so Russia will be looking to push out into them before Ukraine can launch counterattacks.

Over on the northern front, Ukraine redeployed some forces from other parts of the frontline to reinforce the pocket in the corner of Kharkiv Oblast, launching counterattacks against the eastern side. Sources differ significantly on what these achieved, with some claiming they completely pushed the Russians right back towards the border whilst others deny any change at all.

As for Suriyak, he has remarked Shyroke, Kupyne, east of Chorne and Dovzhanka as back under Ukrainians control, almost all of which had been in the greyzone from earlier DRG infiltrations. For now just consider this area to be a hotbed of fighting as both sides grapple over the eastern edge of the claimed/potential encirclement, with many villages and treelines in the greyzone.

Down to the northern side of the Kupyansk front, Ukraine continued their attacks across the area over the week, recapturing some small forest areas north of Dvorichna and reportedly retaking Fyholivka. I have not seen any evidence of the latter, but it is true they are in the area and pushing so is certainly possible.

Heading to the Lyman front, Ukraine’s counteroffensive continued, with their forces recapturing the remaining treelines on the northern edge of the Donetsk Oblast border and pushing down towards the Zherebets River. As mentioned last post Russia pulled back to this area some time ago once it was clear they could not hold the salient, and they are now attempting to maintain the bridgehead after regrouping.

Moving to the Kostyantynivka front, on the north side Ukraine’s counterattacks led to their recapture of part of the ravine next to Maiske, however they have been unable to recapture the village due to high volumes of shelling and lack of cover (all buildings essentially wiped out).

To the southwest, the Russian infantry that pushed north of Molocharka the previous week have now taken a chunk of the railway and captured the minor village of Popasne. They are digging in their whilst neighbouring groups attack nearby Bezimyane and Virolyubivka.

To the southeast, Russia continued clearing the last of the small pocket near Chasiv Yar, capturing the last couple of buildings (ruins) in Chervone and some of the fields west of it. Only Podilske remains and it is highly unlikely there are more than a handful of Ukrainian soldiers still alive here.

Swinging over to the western edge of the Kostyantynivka front and the Dobropillya front, on the north side Russia stepped up its infiltrations across the board, with soldiers scouting out Novohryhorivka, southern Saroraiske and southern Novoandriivka.

A similar situation is unfolding to the southwest, with Russian forces capturing some treelines along the Hruzka River and north of Kucheriv Yar, whilst DRGs fanned out into Hruzka and behind Vesele, with some even getting as far as Novotroitske.

Onto the main part of the Dobropillya front, on the north side Russia is continuing to put pressure on the area north of the city amidst reports of Ukraine bringing in reinforcements, with their soldiers taking some of the treelines near Hannivka and trying to reach Novovodyane.

As for the former, claims are currently mixed as to how much of Hannivka is under Russian control and how much is greyzone, with some sources claiming Russia was forced out of the villages whilst others say they still maintain their small hold on the east side.

Whatever the case, on the other side of Dobropillya other Russian assault groups have been attacking the mine and the very southern streets of the city.

A little further south, Russia captured the minor village of Novohryshyne and some of the nearby fields, whilst continues to clash with Ukraine over Dobropillya village.

West of Pokrovsk, over the week Russia maintained their attacks on Serhiivka, capturing more of the railroad and treelines east of the town, although they were unable to secure any of the locality itself.

On the opposite side other Russian groups have been fanning out along the treelines south of Serhiivka, reaching and bypassing Novoolekandrivka to get behind Ukrainian positions in the town. This is unlikely to lead any encirclement or even pocket but may be enough to force a Ukrainian retreat from Serhiivka.

Down to the Novopavlivka front, on the northeast side Ukraine and Russia continue to infiltrate each others lines around Muravka and Novomykolaivka. As I explained some months ago this area is quite messy with minimal cover within the localities, so soldiers from both sides are moving through without actually capturing or holding the area.

To the south Ukrainian forces continued clearing treelines near the Dnipro-Donetsk border and are now closing in on Horikhove and Dachne.

Over on the east side of the Pokrovske front, Ukraine also continued attacking along the western side of the Mokri Yaly River, capturing some treelines and attempting to break into the villages along the river itself.

To the southwest, Ukraine recaptured Maliivka following their seizure of the surrounding fortifications last week.

On the main part of the Pokrovske front, Russia recaptured a couple of treelines near Solodke, whilst infiltration activities continued by both sides around the Yanchur River.

Moving to the Hulyaipole front, Ukraine recaptured some treelines near Vozdvyzhivka and south of Verkhnya Tersa, as well as the minor village of Hirke. As mentioned last week this area is a lot more mixed than shown here, with geolocations occasionally being released showing Russian positions still in or near these localities.

Heading to the Orikhiv front, Russia has made import gains in several areas, although some of these took place weeks ago. On the northeast side, more of the fields between the two rivers were secured by Russian infantry, whilst other groups continue to build up in Chervona Krynytsya. At least one Russian DRG managed to reach the road between Omelnyk and Orikhiv, threatening to cut one of the last supply routes to the town (not enough soldiers to properly cut it yet).

Out west, starting several weeks back Russian assault groups began clearing out the various treelines west of Novoandriivka and Novopavlivka, eventually capturing enough that they were able to enter both localities by early September (video 1, video 2). If this sounds vaguely familiar, its because I talked about this likely occurring back in mid-August. As I mentioned then, if Russia can get enough forces into Novopavlivka (currently mostly greyzone) and/or south of Yurkivka, they will be able to cut off one of the last remaining supply roads to Orikhiv. If Novoandriivka falls as well then Russia will be able to close in on the entire western side of Orikhiv and partially encircle the town.

To the southeast, Suriyak has finally marked most of Mala Tokmachka as under Russian control, although as mentioned last post this likely occurred a little earlier. With both Novodanylivka and Mala Tokmachka effectively under Russian control they’ve been able to bring additional troops up into Orikhiv, expanding their control of the town (reportedly now at 30%).

There was also a surprise crossing of the Konka River, with other soldiers moving into eastern Preobrazhenka. Whilst unlikely to lead to a full assault given the difficulty in bringing more soldiers across, it will at least distract Ukraine and force them to divert troops to that area or risk Russia getting to one of the last supply roads out of Orikhiv.