Russian forces are continuing to pick up momentum in their offensive in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic, with frontline reports indicating fresh territorial gains following heavy fighting.

According to information coming from the battlefield, Russian troops have advanced north of Svyatogorsk, forcing Ukrainian formations out of key railway stations at Yelochny and Svyatogorsk. After sustaining significant losses, Ukrainian units reportedly pulled back into dense urban areas.

As a result of this advance, the distance between Russia’s forward positions and the administrative border of the Donetsk People’s Republic with Kharkov Region in this sector has been reduced to roughly four kilometers, Military Review (VO) reported.

At the same time, clashes continue on the flanks near the urban-type settlement of Yarovaya, located close to Svyatogorsk. The intensified push in this direction followed the establishment of Russian control over Seversk.

Ukrainian forces are making determined efforts to hold Svyatogorsk, though maintaining control of the city could become extremely difficult if dominant heights on the southern bank of the Seversky Donets are lost.

For now, Ukrainian units are still using the terrain advantage to slow the advance of Russian formations. However, positions on elevated ground are coming under heavy air strikes, including drone attacks, which has noticeably reduced the defensive activity of Ukrainian forces.