The most intense fighting in the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration is currently taking place around Kostiantynivka, where Russian troops are attempting to infiltrate the city in small groups. At the same time, the situation remains difficult near Chasiv Yar and along routes that could later be used for advances toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
This was reported by OSINT analysts at DeepState.
According to the analysts, the situation in Kostiantynivka can no longer be described simply as assaults on the city and fighting on its outskirts. Russian troops are actively infiltrating the city itself, forcing Ukrainian units to conduct constant clearing operations against enemy soldiers hiding in buildings, basements and ruins.
After capturing Illinivka, Russian forces began using it as a route for infiltrating Kostiantynivka and expanding their zone of control westward, according to DeepState. In this way, the enemy is attempting to widen its encirclement of the city.
At the same time, DeepState describes the situation around Chasiv Yar as the most dangerous. Russian forces are attempting to envelop the city from the flanks. Ukrainian troops are still holding positions inside the settlement, but if the situation on the flanks deteriorates, the position of the Ukrainian grouping there could become significantly more difficult.
The analysts also drew particular attention to the area near Sloviansk. They identified Raihorodok and Mykolaivka as key settlements for any potential Russian advance toward the city.
According to DeepState, Ukrainian forces are holding Raihorodok firmly. In Mykolaivka, however, Russian troops have already been recorded infiltrating the area, which the analysts regard as attempts to probe for weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses.
Ukrainian drone operators are successfully detecting and destroying Russian troops, but there are problems with continuously tracking their movements, as repeated infiltrations have been recorded.
The situation around Kryva Luka is also raising concerns, with Russian troops reported in the area. DeepState identifies Orikhuvatka and Rai-Oleksandrivka as important locations where Russian forces could attempt to establish positions.
Russian troops still need to advance further to reach Orikhuvatka, while attempts to infiltrate Rai-Oleksandrivka have already been recorded. Ukrainian forces have so far managed to destroy the enemy and prevent Russian troops from establishing positions there, but holding the area is becoming increasingly difficult because of manpower shortages.
The analysts said that the shortage of personnel affects the entire sector held by Ukrainian brigades.
DeepState also noted a change in the leadership of the 11th Corps. The analysts expressed hope that this would help improve the situation in the corps’ area of responsibility.
In their assessment, Russian forces are laying the groundwork for further offensive operations toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. They said constant shelling and the destruction of cities across the agglomeration are part of these preparations.
The sector from Malynivka to Maiske also remains important, as Russian forces could attempt to use the terrain there to infiltrate toward Kramatorsk.
According to DeepState, the threat in this area had previously been quite high due to inaccurate reporting, but the situation has gradually begun to improve following the change in command.
“The battle for Kostiantynivka is still ongoing,” the analysts concluded.
