Podolyaka: AFU Defense Near Slavyansk–Kramatorsk Is Folding
Report: Russian Advances Raise Pressure Toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk
Podolyaka: AFU Defense Near Slavyansk–Kramatorsk Is Folding
Military blogger Yurii Podolyaka says AFU defenses east of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk area are collapsing as Russian forces take Privolye, Minkovka and key heights near Zakotnoye.
2026-01-18T05:00:03+03:00
2026-01-18T05:00:03+03:00
2026-01-18T05:00:03+03:00
Military blogger Yurii Podolyaka believes Russian advances on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk direction indicate that AFU defenses in that sector are beginning to collapse.
According to him, signs of the Ukrainian defense «folding» can be seen around the watershed heights east of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. He linked this to Russian forces taking control of Privolye and Minkovka, as well as capturing strategic heights near Zakotnoye.
Podolyaka also reported successful Russian progress in the villages of Reznikovka and Nikiforovka. He added that Russian units have advanced along the same high ground toward Malinovka, arguing that if the AFU loses Malinovka, it would mark the beginning of fighting for Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier reported that units of the «Yug» grouping took Privolye on Saturday. Zakotnoye was previously officially reported as having come under Russian control. There have also been reports that Russian forces took Minkovka.
Military blogger Yurii Podolyaka says AFU defenses east of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk area are collapsing as Russian forces take Privolye, Minkovka and key heights near Zakotnoye.
Military blogger Yurii Podolyaka believes Russian advances on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk direction indicate that AFU defenses in that sector are beginning to collapse.
According to him, signs of the Ukrainian defense «folding» can be seen around the watershed heights east of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. He linked this to Russian forces taking control of Privolye and Minkovka, as well as capturing strategic heights near Zakotnoye.
Podolyaka also reported successful Russian progress in the villages of Reznikovka and Nikiforovka. He added that Russian units have advanced along the same high ground toward Malinovka, arguing that if the AFU loses Malinovka, it would mark the beginning of fighting for Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier reported that units of the «Yug» grouping took Privolye on Saturday. Zakotnoye was previously officially reported as having come under Russian control. There have also been reports that Russian forces took Minkovka.
