Russian forces continue to advance toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, approaching settlements from several directions, according to DPR head Denis Pushilin. He said this tactic is playing an important role in the Russian offensive.

Speaking on the Vesti program, Pushilin said the advance in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration is continuing, with Russian troops seeking to envelop settlements from multiple sides.

He also reported Ukrainian counterattack attempts around Krasny Liman and nearby areas. According to Pushilin, Ukrainian forces are making active use of drones, while Russian units are trying to prevent them from advancing and establishing positions on the ground.

Military expert Andrey Marochko previously said Ukrainian forces were reinforcing their grouping in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. According to him, troops are being concentrated near Nikolayevka and west of Krasny Liman. Marochko believes the Ukrainian command is seeking to strengthen its offensive potential by increasing the number of troops in the area.

Military-focused channels have also reported Ukrainian counterattack attempts in the Slavyansk direction. Intense fighting is said to be underway for forest belts on the approaches to the Krivaya Luka-Kaleniki line.