Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, says the Ukrainian army is hastily throwing up defensive works closer to Slavyansk in an effort to slow the advance of Russian forces around Yampol.

He recalled that after the capture of Platonovka, Russian troops took control of the road linking Seversk and Krasny Liman, which effectively severed one of the VSU’s key logistics routes. As relayed by RIA Novosti, Pushilin described the opponent as clinging to positions and seeking to delay Russian units near Yampol while trying to organize at least some fortification lines closer to Slavyansk.

Military channels report that on the Krasny Liman axis Russian units are pushing south of the previously liberated Yampol toward the Krasny Liman-Zakotnoye highway. At the same time, pressure continues from Novosyolovka and Stavki toward the city’s northern outskirts.