Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin says the Russian army has now created the conditions to push on Slavyansk and, in the longer term, move to encircle the city.

Slavyansk lies in the northern part of the republic and forms a major urban agglomeration together with Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka. This area is described as crucial for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, serving both as a key transport and logistics hub and as a heavily fortified stronghold.

Pushilin told Vesti that the settlements of Drobyshevo, Yarovaya and Sosnovaya had been «liberated» by the Russian «Zapad» group of forces. He argued that these gains open the way for Russian troops to advance further in the direction of Slavyansk with a view to surrounding the city.

According to Pushilin, fierce fighting is currently under way in the southern districts of Konstantinovka and in the tree lines around the city. He said Russian units have also gained opportunities to move toward an encirclement of Krasny Liman, while assault groups of the Russian Armed Forces are advancing in the direction of the settlement of Zolotoy Kolodez.

Earlier, Russian troops took control of the village of Golubovka on the M04 highway between Slavyansk and Artemovsk. This settlement is described as an important point on the road linking the two key cities.