Summary of the Events of the Day
As Russian forces continue to inch towards their goal of taking Kramatorsk, Ukraine is fast pushing Russian forces out of the Kharkiv Region, with reports that Russian troops may actually be evacuating the region.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
Luhansk – The fight for Severodonetsk continues but Ukrainian forces held their positions. Russia attempted to take Toshkivka and Orikhove but were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
Siversky Donets – Russian forces finally captured Velyka Komyshuvakha which will now allow them to move south on Barvinkove. Takin Barvinkove is important as it will allow them to attack Slovyansk on three sides and then move against their main target of Kramatorsk. Russian forces continue their heavy fighting for Oleksandrivka so that they can take Lyman and then hit Slovyansk from the east. But Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions there.
Solid lines are current campaigns and dotted lines are next goals. Ultimate goals are the taking of Severodonetsk and Kramatorsk.
Donetsk – Russian forces concentrated their attacks on Avdiivka and Kamianka but were repulsed by Ukrainian forces.
Mariupol – It is now estimated that the Azov National Guard has up to 1000 troops in the Azovstal steelworks, but hundreds of them are injured and in need of medical attention. But the brave soldiers are still fighting against all odds.
Battle for Southern Ukraine (Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhia, and Odesa)
Russian forces shelled several homes in Zelenodolsk along the Zaporizhian defense line between the Zelenodilske and Kakhovka Reservoirs. There were no casualties.
Russia fired seven missiles on Odesa in the early morning hitting another shopping mall and entertainment center. There was one death.
Battle for Kharkiv
Ukrainian forces continue their drive up the western bank of the Siversky Donetsk River northeast of Kharkiv from Bairak, with some reports that they have reached the Russian border. Soon they should turn west to liberate Vesele. They also have taken Pytomnyk on their drive to Lyptsi. Russian forces are starting to withdraw from the Kharkiv region back into Russia. The Battle for Kharkiv may soon come to an end.
Other Regions
Russian forces shelled two communities in the Sumy Region near the Russian border. There were no reported casualties. In the evening border towns in Sumy and Chernihiv Regions were shelled.
Other News
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are being forced into occupation camps within Russian territory as Russia empties the communities they have occupied.
Belarus has mobilized and sent its special operation forces to the Ukrainian border.
International Support
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra visited Ukraine and toured the regions where the Russian war crimes were committed against Ukrainian civilians. In opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron who stated it would take at least a decade for Ukraine to join the EU, Baerbock gave Ukraine Germany’s full support to fast-track their EU membership.
Japan expanded their sanctions on Russia to include 130 individuals and 70 companies.