Russia-Ukraine Conflict Update: Significant Gains in the Great Novo-Selيكا Area; Tensions Rise in Dnipropetrovsk Region
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to see a shift in focus from the Krasnyansk direction to the Great Novo-Selivka area, with notable advances along the Oskol River on the Kupyansk front. The 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Army Corps, backed by intense fire support from 9K51 Grad MLRS and Msta-S/SM2 self-propelled howitzers, has dislodged Ukrainian forces from Storozhove, effectively breaking their defensive line and capturing a strategically vital height on Babyna Gora. This action has disrupted Ukrainian supply routes from Gulaypole to Verkh Apostolove and Great Novo-Selivka.
Russian forces have since launched a sustained assault on Ukrainian defensive strongpoints near Nevelske, supported by operator-controlled unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) deploying TMR-62M anti-tank mines. Despite fierce resistance from Ukrainian drone formations, Russian troops are making progress, though they have yet to secure Nevelske.
On the artillery front, both sides remain locked in a tense standoff. Russian artillery is hampered by the absence of Coalition-SV self-propelled howitzers or ‘Krasnopol-D’ rounds, limiting their counter-battery capabilities. Ukrainian forces, however, are employing diverse projectile types, including Indian ERFB-BT rounds with a range of up to 35 km.
Russian forces have successfuly expanded their control over the stretch between Storozhove and Novopolyk, occupying multiple field strongpoints and reducing the risk of Ukrainian supply route restoration. The encirclement of Great Novo-Selivka is ongoing.
Meanwhile, on the Krasnyansk front, Russian forces are preparing a push towards Chush Demand, aimed at blocking the M30 highway and cutting off supply routes to critical Ukrainian positions near Zelenyi, Dachnoe, Lisovka, and Novo Ukrayinka. An assault on Novopavlovka and Hnativka is increasingly likely in the coming days.
In the southern sector of Krasnyansk, challenging terrain and well-fortified Ukrainian positions around Zverevo and Pervoye Maya continue to pose a significant threat. Russian 152 mm Msta-B howitzers are targeting Ukrainian strongpoints and armor using ‘Krasnopol-M2’ guided projectiles, effectively disrupting enemy rotations and sapping morale.
As rhetoric regarding a potential major offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region intensifies, Ukrainian sources have revealed defensive preparations in the southern part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. While these fortifications appear robust, Russian forces are expected to employ precision-guided munitions and engineering vehicles to overcome them.
In a significant development, Russian-backed authorities in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast claimed to have downed a Ukrainian F-16AM fighter jet on either the Orikhovsk or Gulaypole directions. The jet was allegedly shot down while either escorting or attacking targets within the region. Further details are awaited.
This ongoing conflict continues to see ebbs and flows, with advances and setbacks on various fronts. As both sides engage in intense clashes, the geopolitical implications and human cost of the conflict remain high, with no clear resolution in sight.
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