RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 901 and 902 of the War - Suriyakmaps

(Picture 1) Big developments continue on the Pokrovsk front, with some major Russian gains being reported. Following their capture of Ivanivka, discussed in the last post, Russian forces have continued their assaults towards Hrodivka. Not only have the captured multiple trench networks, a large portion of fields, and the village of Svyrydonivka (top red dot), but they have also established a small foothold on the outskirts of Hrodivka.

Ukrainian units in this area are in a dire state. With manpower, ammunition, and equipment shortages, as well as months of intense fighting around Avdiivka, Ocheretyne, and Prohres, even ‘elite’ Brigades like the 47th Mech are losing their combat capability. The 151st Mech Brigade, only created earlier this year, were rapidly deployed to around Prohres to try stop the breakout. This unit has been operating in the area north of the railway, and their inexperience, plus the other issues mentioned above, mean they have been getting smashed by Russian forces, and are unable to hold them back, even with multiple defence networks set up. A Ukrainian soldier mentioned on Telegram that a core problem in this area is that these units are getting struck and attritioned by multiple FPVs and FABs each day, before being stormed by infantry. This has led to losses of positions, as these units are forced to either flee, or fight to the death.

The bulk of Ukrainian forces in this area have either already retreated, or are in the process of retreating to Hrodivka, where they will try mount a defence. This also means that most of the fields, and the trench network east and northeast of the town will almost certainly fall to Russia within the next few days.

To the south, Russian forces captured the remainder of Zhelanne, ending the battle for the town. Ukrainian units holding this area, notably the 47th Mech, have taken their remaining forces, and pulled back to try hold the area Novohrodivka to Novozhelanne.

(Picture 2) On the Kursk front, Ukrainian units attempted motorised assaults again in a number of directions. On the west side, Ukraine re-entered Snagost, following them being forced out yesterday, as well as bypassing the settlement on the north side to try attack Krasnooktyabroskoe.

Similarly, another Ukrainian group attacked and took over most of Olgovka to the north, bypassing Kremyanoe, where yesterday the previous assault group was wiped out by Russian forces. This group also suffered difficulties, with several videos of destroyed Ukrainian groups being released (Video 1, Video 2, Video 3). Russia will likely counterattack in this area as they did in neighbouring Kremyanoe.

To the east, some released footage showed Ukrainian units in the forest and roads towards Kauchuk. This is being designated a greyzone for now, as Ukraine has been releasing older footage sporadically to try confuse Russian command (and the public) as to where they are. Ukraine was in this area in the first 3 days, but that DRG was wiped out shortly after, hence the caution with considering this a new advance.

(Picture 3) South of Sudzha, Ukrainian forces expanded their control of the forest area near the village of Plekhovo (blue dot). To the east, video footage confirmed Russian forces have re-established control of most of the greyzone around Giri, including multiple villages, following the destruction of the Ukrainian DRG mentioned in my previous update. Ukraine will almost certainly try to advance in this area again, in order to continue putting pressure on Russian forces.

(Picture 4) Continuing with the Kursk front (next day) Ukrainian troops were confirmed to have crossed the border on the west side, capturing several villages. These were abandoned towards the beginning of the incursion, and thus were easy for Ukraine to take. This does however indicate Ukraine may be trying to push west, given the difficulties it is having advancing north.

To the south, Ukraine advanced in the forest, and through several of the villages around the Psel river. Russian troops in this area are striking these Ukrainian troops from range, but look to be positioning themselves to hold Giri (south of Belitsa).

(Picture 5) In Kharkiv, following the weeks of failed assaults by Ukrainian forces near Hlyboke in July, Russian troops counterattacked along the reservoir, managing to recapture the area up to the stream. This aids Russian forces by reestablishing the western side of their defence line of Hlyboke, which Ukraine will have to crack again if it wishes to take the village.

(Picture 6) Over the last 2 days Ukrainian positions in Niu-York have continued to collapse. As I stated in my last post, with Ukraine losing control of the eastern fields, holding Niu-York had become almost impossible, as Russia positioned itself to outflank and overrun the town from multiple sides. Russian assault groups continued their progress today, taking over the remainder of the western side of Niu-York, as well as advancing deep into the centre, threatening to encircle multiple Ukrainian positions.

Ukrainian forces at this stage are trying to stall Russian troops so they can evacuate their supplies, wounded and remaining forces from the town, but this is proving difficult as Russia is applying constant pressure with drones and small assault groups. Almost 75% of the town is now controlled by Russia, and at the current pace, the remainder will fall under Russian control by the end of the month.

The square around Zalizne is due to Russian troops proclaiming control of the town, although they have controlled the whole settlement for more than a week at this point.

(Picture 7) Back over to the Pokrovsk front, and Russian forces continue making progress. As I mentioned in Pic 1, Ukrainian units holding this area are in a dire state, and that has led to the large advances seen in Pic 1 and here. Russian forces advanced west from Serhiivka, capturing a couple of trench networks, a large area of fields, and the entirety of the village of Orlivka (centre red dot). They have also captured part of Zhuravka (top red dot), and established a foothold in Nikolaevka on the south side of the railway.

There is now only 1 more trench network between Russian forces and the large town of Novogrodivka, the forward operating base for a number of Ukrainian units in this area. Capturing Nikolaevka would also partially cut off Ukrainian forces in Novozhelanne and Zavitne (east of the village), as almost all of their supplies come through the road running through Nikolaevka.

Recently it has also been claimed the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade, operating in the forests west of Vovchansk, is being rapidly redployed to Pokrovsk to try stabilise the front, but I cannot verify this information.

(Picture 8) On the south Donetsk front, Russian units continued their advance through the fields south of the main road, capturing several more. There is a Twitter thread from a Ukrainian soldier talking about this area, the lack of fortifications, not being a priority, both sides super spread out, etc. that I’d recommend reading if you’re interested.