Russian tube artillery delivered its first strike on the outskirts of Kramatorsk, targeting the strategically important settlement of Belenkoye, which borders the city’s northeastern edge. The information was reported by war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny.

According to him, the beginning of artillery strikes on enemy positions indicates that Russian forces have started combat operations aimed at seizing the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk agglomeration. Poddubny stated that after Vladimir Zelensky refused to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the area, Russian forces would push them out by force in accordance with the situation on the ground.

The strike followed steady advances by Russian units in this sector. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that formations of the «South» group improved their frontline positions during active operations. Enemy mechanized and assault brigades were hit near Druzhkovka, Verolyubovka, Kramatorsk, Nikiforovka, Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka.