Russian occupation forces have been detected 5 kilometers from Mykolaivka, a settlement that is crucial for the defense of Sloviansk.
A source in Ukraine’s Defense Forces familiar with the situation in this sector told UNIAN.
According to the source, the enemy’s strategic goal this year is to capture Sloviansk. Mykolaivka plays a key role in the city’s defense.
“On the DeepState map, the ‘red zone’ is 10 km from Mykolaivka. The reality is somewhat different. The enemy continues active infiltration and is already being detected in Rai-Oleksandrivka and other locations 5 km from the city. There have already been small-arms clashes in Rai-Oleksandrivka. If the enemy captures Mykolaivka, the gates to Sloviansk will be open,” the UNIAN source said.
According to the source, Russian troops drop up to 40 guided aerial bombs on Mykolaivka every day. Civilian infrastructure is among the enemy’s targets.
This includes the Sloviansk thermal power plant, which stopped operating back in the spring.
“This focus of Russian aviation is one of the signs that this direction of movement is very important for the Russians,” the source stressed.
In addition, UNIAN has obtained video showing the downing of enemy Mavic drones, which Russian forces use for aerial reconnaissance in the Mykolaivka area and to adjust airstrikes on the settlement.
Earlier, a serviceman with the call sign “Muchnyi” said that the Sloviansk sector is one of the hottest. According to him, Russian occupation forces have taken control of Yurkivka, while fighting for Rai-Oleksandrivka is ongoing.
He also noted that the greatest pressure is currently observed in the Mykolaivka area, where the enemy is massively using aviation and bombarding the area with guided aerial bombs.
In addition, according to him, Russian troops are trying to disrupt logistics by striking supply routes through Vysokoivanivka. A pumping station located near this logistics hub has also come under attack.
