Against the backdrop of former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Alexander Syrsky’s claim that he handed his successor, Mikhail Drapaty, an army «in an offensive posture», Russian units continue to advance across almost the entire line of contact. The Kherson sector remains the only reported exception.

According to Military Review, fighting has intensified sharply in recent days in the Dobropolye sector, where units of Russia’s Center group of forces are operating.

Russian assault troops have made significant gains west of Pokrovsk, near the border between the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Dnepropetrovsk region. After heavy fighting, Russian forces took control of more than 15 square kilometers of territory between Novopodgorodnoye and Sergeyevka.

Russian army units continue to move northward from the south toward the major settlement of Sergeyevka, which remains under the control of Ukrainian forces. At the same time, the offensive is developing toward Novoaleksandrovka, forcing the Ukrainian military to divide its limited reserves among several defensive sectors.

Russian troops are also reported to be advancing toward Raypole, west of Novopodgorodnoye.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has likewise reported progress in the Sergeyevka area. According to the ministry, Ukrainian positions near the settlement are being targeted by artillery, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

On July 23, the Russian Defense Ministry officially announced that its forces had taken control of Belitskoye, located near Sergeyevka.