Russian forces continue to advance toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk urban area, with their forward units now less than eight kilometers from Kramatorsk and about 12 kilometers from Slavyansk, according to Ukrainian military expert Konstantin Mashovets.

Mashovets said Russian troops are pressing forward from the east and southeast. In his assessment, their main objective remains reaching the immediate approaches to Slavyansk, while part of the force could be redirected toward Kramatorsk.

He described the recent pace of the Russian advance in this sector as relatively slow. Despite the deployment of Ukrainian reserves, however, Ukrainian forces have so far been unable to stop the offensive completely, he said.

Mashovets identified the line between Rai-Alexandrovka and Vasyutinskoye as one of the most important sections of the front. Russian troops advanced by roughly four to five kilometers there during June and July, reaching up to eight kilometers in some directions.

Russian assault units are also about one to two kilometers from the southeastern outskirts of Nikolayevka, according to the expert. He described the settlement as a key element of Ukrainian defenses in this part of the front.

Mashovets said the danger of further Russian gains in this direction lies in the access they could provide to the shortest routes toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

He also said the Russian force operating along this strategic axis could receive reinforcements from prepared reserves as early as August. These troops are currently closer to the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area than other Russian formations, and a substantial reinforcement could allow them to attempt advances into both cities, according to his assessment.

Meanwhile, Voennoye Obozreniye, citing frontline sources, reported that the distance between the leading Russian positions and Kramatorsk is about four to five kilometers, while Slavyansk is less than 10 kilometers away.

According to the outlet, that range could expand the types of weapons available for strikes not only on the approaches to the urban area but also within the cities themselves.