According to Boris Rozhin, an expert at the Center for Military-Political Journalism, Russian forces are continuing to advance toward Druzhkovka. He said the city currently serves as the main southern defensive cover for Kramatorsk.

Rozhin said Ukrainian troops are trying to slow the Russian advance through counterattacks and disrupt the stability of the Russian frontline. As one example, he cited fighting near Alexeyevo-Druzhkovka, where Ukrainian infantry advanced under drone cover in an attempt to regain control of the village and positions near Khrushchevsky Pond.

Despite those efforts, he said the line of contact in this sector has not changed significantly. According to Rozhin, Alexeyevo-Druzhkovka and Kurtovka remain in the gray zone.

He also reported similar Ukrainian actions near Rayskoye, aimed at cutting off a salient. Ukrainian forces repeatedly attacked toward Petrovka and Toretsk, as well as in the Novonikolayevka area.

Rozhin said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses during the counterattacks. He added that the remaining small dispersed groups are being detected and struck by Russian drone operators.