Russian forces continue intensive attempts to break through to Lyman and establish positions on its outskirts. At the same time, Ukrainian troops are holding their positions, while the effectiveness of Russian attacks remains relatively low.
Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Joint Forces Group, said this on August 7 during a broadcast of Suspilne Studio.
According to him, Russian units are positioned north of Lyman and on the eastern approaches to the city. They are trying to infiltrate in small groups, including through the areas of Zarichne and Yampil.
Trehubov noted that large “gray zones” have formed near Lyman, which Russian forces use as routes for infiltration groups. At the same time, the city itself is well fortified, has sufficient personnel, and has an effective defense system both on the ground and in the air.
“Therefore, despite the high intensity of these attempts, the Russians’ effectiveness is not very high,” the spokesperson said.
South of the Siverskyi Donets River, the water barrier remains a natural defensive line. According to Trehubov, Russian attempts to cross the river under Ukrainian control are largely ineffective, so Russian forces are trying to bypass it through other sections of the front.
Ukrainian troops also continue to hold Yampil. Trehubov described the situation there as consistently difficult due to complicated logistics: the settlement is effectively surrounded either by areas under Russian control or by a “gray zone.”
According to him, Russian forces are trying to completely cut off communications with Yampil and seize control of it, but Ukrainian troops have managed to hold their positions.
Trehubov added that Lyman is of strategic importance to the Russian command. Russia views the capture of the city as one of the steps toward the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, which explains the high level of Russian military activity in this sector.
