Russian forces are now less than 20 kilometers from Slavyansk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to information circulating in Russian military sources.

Those sources report that Russian units have advanced in the area of Ray-Aleksandrovka. The movement is described as part of an effort by the Russian Armed Forces to straighten the front line along the Slavyansk axis.

Earlier, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin, said Russian troops were preparing an encirclement maneuver around Slavyansk. He linked these plans to the recent capture of several nearby settlements, including Drobyshevo, Yarovaya and Sosnovaya.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also stated that the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic still controlled by Kiev authorities has been significantly reduced. According to him, Russian forces have about 15–17 percent of the Donbass territory left to take under their control.