Military expert and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin said Russian forces continue to advance actively in the area of the special military operation.

According to him, Russian troops have increased the use of various strike systems, including guided aerial bombs ranging from FAB-500 to FAB-3000. Dandykin said Russian aviation is operating in a coordinated manner, which he believes has a strong demoralizing effect on Ukrainian forces. He also pointed to the use of artillery and unmanned aircraft.

The expert said Russian units are surrounding and blocking settlements where Ukrainian garrisons are located. He also described strikes deep into Ukrainian defenses as one of the main tasks for Russian forces. According to Dandykin, Russian troops are targeting Ukrainian transport infrastructure, defense industry facilities and drone storage sites.

Earlier, DPR head Denis Pushilin said Russian forces had established fire control over most of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. According to him, after the capture of Yurkovka, Russian units are advancing along the Seversky Donets and may later create a bridgehead for a further offensive in the western direction.