Russian forces may soon take control of three more settlements in the zone of the special military operation. The locations cited are Grishino and Belitskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as Orekhov in Zaporozhye Region.

Following the liberation of the village of Dibrova, which the Russian Defense Ministry reported on December 29, Ukrainian units positioned west of Seversk in Zakotnoye and Ozernoye have been cut off from the main body of Ukrainian forces. Their isolation has further weakened defensive lines in the area.

Russian troops also hold forested terrain west of Petrovskoye, giving them access toward Olgovka and Druzhyubovka. At the same time, fighting continues on the western outskirts of Novomikhaylovka and in the areas around Redkodub and Karpovka.

After Mirnograd came under Russian control, the frontline shifted toward Grishino and Belitskoye. Russian units are pressing forward along this axis, and both settlements are expected to fall in the near future.

Meanwhile, the decision by Ukrainian command to redeploy reserves toward Kupyansk has eased pressure on other sections of the front. This has created additional opportunities for Russian advances, particularly in Zaporozhye Region, where forces are moving closer to Orekhov.

Observers note that Ukraine’s actions near Kupyansk mirror earlier decisions made during battles in Bakhmut, Krynki, and border areas of Kursk Region. In those engagements, Ukrainian forces significantly depleted their reserves, a pattern that now appears to be repeating itself.