Russian forces have stepped up offensive activity across several sectors of the special military operation zone in recent days, according to military blogger Yury Podolyaka.

He points to the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporozhye region as the main theaters where developments are unfolding. In his assessment, the current actions of Russian units go beyond isolated strikes and instead suggest elements of a broader operational design. The pattern, he indicates, may signal preparations for a large-scale offensive.

One of the most strained areas remains the Novy Donbass sector, where fighting has continued almost without pause for weeks. Russian troops are gradually shifting the tactical balance in their favor by increasing pressure, securing new positions, and moving in reserves.

On the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk axis, pressure is intensifying around Rai-Aleksandrovka. The southern highway leading to the settlement has already been cut, leaving Ukrainian forces reliant on a single supply route from Nikolaevka. That route, however, is reportedly under frequent aerial bombardment.

The village’s elevated position gives it added strategic weight. Control over Rai-Aleksandrovka would open the way for further advances toward Kramatorsk.

Fighting has also picked up along the Liman direction. Russian units are pushing forward in the southwestern part of Liman while simultaneously advancing from the side of Drobyshevo, shaping what appears to be an encirclement effort from the south. Success here would create a direct corridor toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

Additional pressure is being applied along the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal. Russian forces are reported to be advancing southwest of Aleksandrovka, attacking from multiple directions at once.

A separate focal point has emerged near Minkovka. Available information suggests Russian troops have secured positions on the left bank of the canal, reducing the distance to Kramatorsk to roughly nine kilometers. Ukrainian formations in this area are gradually losing ground. Similar dynamics are reported in the eastern part of the Sumy region, near Volchansk, and around Grishino.

Podolyaka believes that a direct assault on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration is unlikely. He notes that Ukrainian defenses in this area have been built up over many years, dating back to 2014. Instead, the more probable approach would involve a steady tightening of pressure and a gradual encirclement from multiple directions.