RU POV: Russian and Ukrainian advances from Day 912 and 913 of the War - Suriyakmaps

Heading straight into the Pokrovsk front, Russian forces are continuing to make gains without any sign of slowing town. In Novohrodivka, Russian assault groups have made more progress in the town, and have reached the city council and market areas. Their advances here have been very quick, and with minimal damage to the town reported, as Russian troops are running into few proper defensive positions that would require shelling/bombing by artillery and FABs. Ukrainian sources have sounded the alarm regarding Novohrodivka, with many predicting it will fall within days.

To the south, Russian troops continued advancing through the fields, capturing a large area on either side of Kalynove and a few trench networks. Clashes are already occurring on the outskirts of Kalynove, with Ukrainian troops trying to hold the houses for lack of a better position. Given Russian advances on the flanks, Ukraine will almost certainly lose control of Kalynove within the next few days, forced to retreat due to the risk of being encircled.

In Toretsk, Russian soldiers have begun clearing the forest and residential area south of the main road, as I predicted in my previous update. Ukrainian troops have been pulling back towards the prison and main section of the town, due to the risk of being cut off in the southern forests and suburbs. There is a possibility that Russia may try and bypass Ukrainian positions near the prison by going through the forests south of the slag heap, however it remains to be seen.

In Chasiv Yar, Russian forces have pushed further into the town, capturing more of the residential areas, and recapturing some of the trenches they were pushed out of by Ukraine last week. These are still positional battles, rather than large scale assaults, as Russia has yet to establish a large enough foothold, or more reliable canal crossing, to move more troops in. You can see part of that in this video, where a couple of Russian soldiers capture some Ukrainian troops hiding in a basement.

On the Kursk front, following on from my previous update, heavy clashes continue for control of Russkaya Konopelka (top red dot). Ukrainian forces captured more of the fields to the north of the village, up to the riverline, whilst simultaneously Russian troops recaptured some of the fields to the south of the village. Most of Russkaya Konopelka remains in the greyzone, with further Ukrainian assaults expected.

To the south, Russian troops have continued making progress recapturing the area south of the Psel River, retaking the village of Borki and most of the forest areas. As mentioned previously, Ukrainian command has been committing fewer reinforcements (not no reinforcements) to this area compared to other parts of the Kursk front, as they have likely decided to use their assets elsewhere and accepted they will eventually be driven out in this section of the front. Russian progress here will likely stall once they get to the Psel River, as it will be very difficult to cross with Ukraine holding the other side and minimal bridges (pic below).

Back to Pokrovsk, Russian progress continues. In the north, Russian forces have captured the fields just south of Hrodivka, which will allow them to open up another angle of assault from the southern side of the town. The actual situation within Hrodivka is very murky, with some sources claiming Ukraine has already been driven out, whilst others say that most of the central area of the town has fallen into the greyzone. What we do know is that Russia has been striking Ukrainian vehicles heading in and out of the Hrodivka via the northern road, which will complicate the supply and reinforcement of Ukrainian troops. Ukraine should be able to hold the line at the Zhuravka River (runs through the town), and if not, will have to fall back to the defence line built just outside Hrodivka.

In Novohrodivka, Russian assaults groups have rapidly overwhelmed the Ukrainian troops in the town, and have captured almost all of the settlement, bar the western edge and northwestern suburbs. Some sources have claimed that Ukraine has already pulled its remaining troops from the town, however even if this is false, Russia will almost certainly take the town within the next 48 hours. Marynivka will almost certainly fall shortly after, as there is no longer a viable supply route for Ukrainian troops in the village.

North of Mykhailivka, Russian assault groups have captured the mine complex, after clashes began 4 days ago. Ukraine has tried to counterattack before Russia could consolidate positions, including with a Tank, however these have been unsuccessful. There are already reports of fighting occurring in Mykhailivka, with Russian sources claiming they’ve already taken half the village, however this cannot be confirmed just yet.

East of Kalynove Russian troops have continued to advance through the fields, capturing another small trench network near the Vovcha River. Ukraine will almost certainly withdraw from Kalynove within the next day, as their forces have only 1 remaining supply route, which Russia is rapidly closing in on. Some Russian sources claim that over 50 POWs were captured around Karlivka from the Ukrainian 59th Motorised and 68th Jager brigades. Whilst I can confirm that those brigades are operating in this area, no evidence backing these claims has appeared so far.

Back to Toretsk, Russian troops captured more of the residential area, as I discussed in Picture 2. Clashes along the main road are ongoing, as can be seen in this video, and this video.

To the north, in a somewhat unexpected move, a Russian assault group crossed the canal and captured a small trenchline. This is potentially a precursor to a Russian attack through the northern fields, taking advantage of the focus on the fighting in Toretsk.

Back in Kursk, Russian forces have recaptured the southeastern suburbs of Korenevo, part of Olgovka, and all of the northern fields (mentioned here). Heavy clashes are currently ongoing in Olgovka, as Ukraine tries to maintain its foothold, lest it be driven back through the fields to the next line of villages 9km south.

This large Russian advance was not exactly surprising, as holding onto this area was extremely difficult for Ukraine. With the previous assaults on Korenevo failing, and Russian troops holding onto Kremyanoe firmly, Ukrainian forces in Olgovka and the few north of the river were surrounded on 3 sides, with a single road for supply. There are many videos of Ukrainian vehicles in or heading to Olgovka being hit, so it was only a matter of time until they were heavily attritioned, and Russian assaults began. These issues relate back to just how open this area is, which I’ve mentioned many times before, which results in vehicles and troops having to travel (and be exposed) for far longer than on other fronts, where defensive positions are built all over the place. Ukraine is unlikely to give up on Olgovka however, as it is a critical location if they wish to capture Korenevo.

To the southeast, Ukrainian troops captured more of Malaya Loknya, as they slowly push Russia out of the village. As a quick fact, Malaya Loknya is the settlement that has seen the most fighting in Ukraine’s Kursk offensive, despite being very small, with the initial clashes here beginning on Day 3 of the offensive (Day 896 of the war), and still continuing.

In Kostyantynivka, Russian assault groups made further progress in the town, capturing more of the centre area up to the main road, as well as the warehouses on the south side. Separate Russian assault groups also made large advances through the fields south of Kostyantynivka, capturing several Ukrainian positions, part of which can be seen in this video. With this, Russia has captured just under half of the town, and will likely take the remainder of it within the next 2 weeks.

In the fields to the south, Russian troops captured more territory up to and including the main road, as well as the heavily fortified trench network at the intersection of the road and railway line. This advance opens the way for an attack on Vodyane, which has been the forward operating base (along with Vuhledar) for Ukrainian troops in this area for most of the war. If Vodyane falls, Russia will have almost free reign on the fields in the surrounding areas, as there are little to no defences set up behind the town.