Russian forces have taken control of two more settlements — Andreevskaya Obshchina in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Novosoloshino in the Zaporozhye region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Units of the Center group of forces captured Andreevskaya Obshchina. The ministry put Ukrainian losses on this sector over the past 24 hours at more than 390 servicemen. Two armored combat vehicles, 11 cars, a Grad multiple-launch rocket system, a Polish-made 155 mm Krab self-propelled artillery system and a counter-battery radar station were also destroyed.

Novosoloshino came under the control of units from the East group of forces. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian losses there exceeded 345 servicemen. A tank, two armored combat vehicles and nine cars were also destroyed.

Novosoloshino is a village in the Nikolskoye rural council of the Orekhov district in the Zaporozhye region. Before the fighting began, it had a population of about 130. The settlement lies on the T0408 highway between Novonikolayevka and Orekhov, roughly two kilometers southwest of Lyubitskoye.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of Lyubitskoye on August 1. About five kilometers to the north is Barvinovka, a major strongpoint considered important for Ukrainian forces.

War correspondent Alexander Kots believes control of Novosoloshino gives Russian troops an opportunity to expand their foothold on the western bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa. In his assessment, a further push south through Nikolskoye and Chervony Yar would allow Russian forces to reach Omelnik, around 10 kilometers from Orekhov.

Kots described Orekhov as the central hub of Ukrainian defenses in the Zaporozhye region. He assessed that taking the town would open a route for Russian forces toward the city of Zaporozhye.

Andreevskaya Obshchina is located in the Kramatorsk district of the former Donetsk region. Around 1,000 people lived there before the fighting began. The settlement stands on the T0514 highway linking Kramatorsk and Dobropolye, about seven kilometers northwest of Novonikolayevka.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Novonikolayevka came under Russian control on August 14.

On this sector, the Center group of forces is clearing the left flank of troops expected to advance on Druzhkovka from the southwest, using the Pertovka-Toretskoye-Torskoye-Priyut foothold. Control of the T0514 highway also creates conditions for a further advance toward Kramatorsk.