Russian Armed Forces units have established positions in Nikolayevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, a satellite town of Slavyansk that forms one of the first Ukrainian defensive lines on the approaches to the wider urban area. According to TV Center, Russian aviation and artillery are actively striking Ukrainian positions in the sector.

During the fighting, Russian assault groups captured a strongpoint set up by Ukrainian troops inside a local clinic. Russian forces also took control of Yevropeyskaya Street.

In a neighboring district, a pickup truck used by Colombian mercenaries was destroyed. The report said the fighters had been sent by the Ukrainian command to reinforce the Slavyansk garrison and that their vehicle was hit by a Russian drone shortly after they arrived in the city.

Ukraine is also sending mobilized personnel into the area in an effort to hold its positions, including homeless people and former prisoners.

While the main fighting for Slavyansk and Kramatorsk is only beginning to intensify, the authors of the report said Ukrainian defenses in Druzhkovka are rapidly collapsing.

According to the publication, Ukrainian servicemen have complained to their command about the extremely high intensity of Russian strike-drone operations. The reported figure stands at roughly 1,500 to 2,000 drones per day.

The report also stated that additional Ukrainian troops and equipment being transferred to the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration are no longer able to halt the advance of Russian units.