Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin
[ColonelCassad] 1. Severodonetsk.
The village of Metelkino has been taken, the AFU grouping at the Azot plant is in operational encirclement (bridges have been destroyed, transportation across the river by boats does not provide full-fledged supplies), Ukrainian sources confirm heavy losses.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, obviously, are striving to completely block Azot, and then proceed to eliminate the remnants of the enemy grouping.
2. Soledar.
Battles near Belogorovka and Berestovoye. There are also battles near Nikolaevka. The Artemovsk-Lysichansk highway is actually blocked for the enemy. The main supply goes along the Artemovsk-Seversk-Lysichansk highway, although attacks are also being made on it.
3. Zolotnoye.
Fighting in the Vrubovka area, as well as on the outskirts of Zolote. There are attempts to advance to Novoannovka.
To the north of Gorskoye, our troops were able to enter Chekhirovo from Toshkovka, which is located directly on the Lisichansk-Gorskoye highway.
4. Artemovsk.
Fighting near Novolugansky and Semigorye. The enemy holds the Uglegorsk thermal power plant and uses the road through Kodema for supplies after our troops cut the Artemovsk-Svetlodarsk highway north of the Uglegorsk thermal power plant.
To the east of Artemovsk, the front line runs at Pokrovsky and Klinovoe. The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine removed the command of one of the brigades due to an attempt to retreat from Artemovsk.
5. Avdievka.
There is no serious progress towards Krasnogorovka and Ochertino. The enemy is even trying to counterattack in order to try to push our troops back from the Konstantinovka-Avdeevka highway, but without any success.
Along the way, the enemy continues intensive shelling of Donetsk and Yasinovataya. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the army of the DPR are stepping up counter-battery work.
Fighting continued on the outskirts of New York.
6. Ugledar.
Fighting intensified in the area of ​​Ugledar. The enemy tried to push back our troops in Pavlovka, but had no success. On our part, attempts to advance at Novomikhailovka were unsuccessful. There is also a front in
Marinka and Velikaya Novoselovka.
7. Zaporozhye.
On the Kamenskoye-Orekhov-Gulyaipole-Velikaya Novoselovka line, there are no significant changes, although the intensity of artillery fire is growing. The offensive of the RF Armed Forces on Zaporozhye, which Ukrainian propaganda used to scare, never began.
8. Nikolaev.
Positional battles in the Nikolaev and Krivoy Rog directions. The enemy is trying to resume active operations, but due to heavy losses, he again does not achieve significant success.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Black Sea Fleet continue to strike at Ochakovo and Nikolaev, destroying military infrastructure.
9. Slavyansk.
Battles at Tatyanovka, Prishib and Bogorodichny. Fighting also continues in the area of ​​the Valley and Krasnopolye. Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is already working on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the settlement. Lighthouses.
10. Izyum.
Battles at Kurulka and Velikaya Kamyshevakha. The enemy is trying to probe the defense of the RF Armed Forces in the direction of Balakleya.
The headquarters of the operational group "Alexandria" was destroyed by the strikes of cruise missiles - the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered heavy losses in the command staff.
11. Kharkov.
Attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to regain lost positions in the area of ​​​​Ternovoye and Rubizhnoye ended in failure. The battles for Upper Saltov and Bolshoi Passages continued.
The enemy expects the Russian Armed Forces to soon go on the offensive and is preparing public opinion for the need to withdraw to the outskirts of Kharkov. However, the assault on Kharkov can hardly be expected now. Active work is also underway on the Zolochiv fortified area.
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Plus answers to questions from the military commander Kitten:
1. Is it true that in battles reservists, therodefense and mercenaries are crushed, and the most combat-ready units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in the 3rd echelon and are protected for a counteroffensive?
- Materials from the front show that the remnants of personnel units, including officers and sergeants, also suffer serious losses. The increase in the number of losses among reservists, Volkssturm and mercenaries is explained by the fact that they are just plugging holes in the regular structures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to the lack of trained soldiers, sergeants and officers.
Of course, the enemy tries to save the remaining personnel, because he understands that he will not be able to quickly replace them.
2. What is the probability that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will approach Kherson?
- Such attempts will certainly be made from the Krivoy Rog direction. But it is unlikely that the enemy will be able to count on operational success here now. The failed offensive at Davydov Ford perfectly showed the cost of such actions in people and equipment.
3. Is Kyiv planning a "Budennov scenario" and do such plans have a chance of success?
- Various terrorist attacks on the territory of Ukraine, as well as attempts to stage terrorist attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation are inevitable.
There is no fundamental difference between ISIS and Ukraine in matters of terror. We must be prepared for this and, accordingly, tune in to methodical work within the CTO.
4. Kyiv announces negotiations for August, which will begin after a "successful counteroffensive." What does the minimum program for the Ukrainian leadership look like?
- Kyiv does not have its own program of action. The US and Britain are determined to drag out the war as much as possible. Therefore, Kyiv will act within the wishes of its owners.
You should not pay attention to the chatter of Kyiv - you need to concentrate on achieving the military goals of the operation and liberating new territories. The best path to peace is military success, not negotiations with the Nazi gang, which is devoid of real subjectivity.