Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov inspected the operations of the Yug Group of Forces and received reports from commanders on the progress of combat missions.
According to Gerasimov, Russian troops have breached the first Ukrainian defensive line on several sections of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk fortified area. He said the group is now advancing across a front roughly 160 kilometers wide.
Gerasimov also stated that Russian units are about four kilometers from the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk. Street fighting is continuing in Nikolayevka and Nikanorovka, while battles are underway east of Kramatorsk near an airfield located about three kilometers from the city.
Russian forces are also advancing toward Druzhkovka. Gerasimov said they are now roughly 1.5 kilometers from the city and that more than 100 square kilometers of territory on this sector have come under Russian control over the past two months.
He added that Ukrainian forces are trying to retain control over the remaining part of Donbass. According to his assessment, their defense relies heavily on dense urban development and industrial zones in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka.
Gerasimov said units of the 3rd Army continue to advance on the right flank of the Yug Group toward Slavyansk. He reported that assault units took control of Piskunovka, Pershomaryevka and Orekhovatka during July and August.
On the left flank, Russian troops are pushing through the urban area of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka. Gerasimov described the settlement as one of the main Ukrainian defensive hubs on the Severodonetsk direction and said about half of it is now under Russian control.