Fighting for Kramatorsk and Slavyansk may begin in the near future, according to Ukrainian resources. They report that the position of Ukrainian forces on this section of the front is worsening by the day.

Ukrainian troops are still present in the area of Krivaya Luka and Zakitnoye, but their situation is described as increasingly dangerous. The units are reportedly pinned between a river on one side and Russian forces on the other, while their logistics in the area have long been cut off.

The Telegram channel Voenkory Russkoy Vesny cited Ukrainian commentator Bogdan Miroshnikov as saying that fighting is continuing in the southern, eastern and central parts of Rai-Aleksandrovka. According to him, the next stage could involve the evacuation of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and the start of direct battles for both cities.

Ukrainian resources also report that Ukrainian forces have completely lost control of Konstantinovka. According to these accounts, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky ordered reserves not to be sent into the city and instead told forces to prepare for battles over Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.

About 2,000 Ukrainian troops are said to remain in Konstantinovka, with withdrawal no longer possible. Russian assault units, meanwhile, continue active clearing operations in the city.