The Russian-Ukrainian War of 2022 (News and battle updates only)

[TruckDriver9]

Pokrovsk - 09.01.2025

"The situation in the Pokrovsk direction. December 29, 2024 - January 9, 2025

In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops continue to gradually improve their positions to the south of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration.
Earlier, it was reported that Russian troops were advancing north of Vozdvyzhenka, some sources even stated that the Myrnohrad-Kostyantynivka highway was cut. However, there is currently no information on whether the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces managed to hold on there.
To the west, in the Lysivka, Shevchenko, Pishchane and Vovkove sectors, fighting continues, no significant changes in control zones are observed. Information that Russian stormtroopers have reached the outskirts of Zvirove has not yet been confirmed by objective footage, although it was not refuted either.
In the area of Solenyi and Novovasylivka, fighting is also ongoing, and in Novojelyzavetivka and in the forest belts to the north it, Russian troops are advancing, taking up new positions.
Further south, Ukrainka was finally liberated and fighting for Yasenove began.
Apparently, in the near future we can expect an intensification of hostilities in the vicinity of Pokrovsk and, probably, Myrnohrad. However, one should not think that the Russian Armed Forces will begin assault operations in two cities at once. Probably, supply lines will be cut first in the Kotlyne area, where the forward positions of the Russian Army are located just over a kilometer from the T-04-06 road."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Toretsk - 12.01.2025

"The situation in the Oleksandro-Kalynove direction. January 11-12, 2025

The Russian Armed Forces continue to successfully advance in several areas within the administrative borders of Toretsk. In the last two weeks, the resistance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this area has weakened significantly, which allowed Russian stormtroopers to liberate most of the urban development, reaching the industrial zone on the northern and northeastern outskirts of the city.
In the 12th microdistrict, fighters from the 4th company of the 3rd rifle battalion of the 109th separate rifle regiment of the Russian Armed Forces hoisted the unit's flag on the waste heap of mine No.10, confirming the stable control of the Russian Army over the surrounding area.

North of the waste heap, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are gradually approaching the waste heap of mine No.12 and the industrial site of the "Saint Matrona of Moscow" mine.
In the Fomikha microdistrict, Russian troops were spotted on Volynska Street near the slag heap of the same name. It is unknown whether Russian fighters managed to establish control over the prevailing height.
At the same time, the status of the Toretska mine, on the outskirts of which fighting has been going on for the past few weeks, remains unclear - with its capture, it will be possible to state the almost complete liberation of Toretsk."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Ukrainian drone raid - 14.01.2025

"Massive drone raid of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. January 14, 2025

After a relatively long lull, the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a massive UAV raid on industrial facilities in the rear and border regions of Russia, using, for the first time in the new year, around a hundred drones.
In the Bryansk region, the Bryansk chemical plant in the village of Seltso came under a massive attack at night. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, as well as UAVs, were used during the attack. The exact extent of the damage is unknown: according to available data, at least one UAV was recorded on the territory of the plant.

Several downings were noted in Voronezh and Kursk, in all cases there were no consequences. Sixteen drones were shot down in the Tula region, and debris was recorded falling in the city of Aleksin. Another seventeen UAVs were shot down in the Oryol region. And fourteen more drones were intercepted in the skies over the Millerovsky and Tarasovsky districts of the Rostov region. There were no reports of casualties or damage.
The greatest damage was caused to the Saratov region. Most of the UAVs were shot down, but there were also successful strikes. The drones attacked a large fuel and energy facility - the Saratov Oil Refinery. And for the second time in a week, the Kristall oil depot of Rosrezerv in neighboring Engels has suffered. At the moment, the aftermath is ongoing at both facilities.

Also Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan was attacked by drones. According to preliminary data, the attack involved UAVs of the "Lyuty" and "Peklo" types. Several drones hit the territory of a local base of liquefied gases near the Kazanorgsintez enterprise. At the moment, several gas tanks continue to burn openly at the facility.
In addition, eyewitnesses reported drones flying overhead and air defense systems operating in the Zhilploshchadka microdistrict and the Aviastroitelny district. The large Kazan Aviation Plant named after Gorbunov is located nearby, which the enemy most likely tried to attack. All targets were intercepted on approach, there was no destruction.
And for the first time since the SMO, air defense activity was noted in the city of Almetyevsk, several hundred kilometers southeast of Kazan. "Thanks" to footage distributed on the Internet, it was possible to establish that here the Ukrainian drones tried to attack objects associated with the transit of oil products.
Once again, it is worth noting that most of the impact sites were identified solely due to numerous videos taken by local residents, which indicates insufficient work with the civilian population about the consequences of such actions. In particular, this applies to Saratov and Engels."

 

[Pointy Elbows]

What is the purpose of these irregular tubes that are often mounted in front of the drone/charge? They all appear to be hand-fashioned and just taped to the front of the system. Is it for charge standoff to get the best effect, some kind of protective measure? Or is this for repurposed explosives and maybe they make the detonator activate when it hits target? aerodynamic effect?

 

[TruckDriver9]

Toretsk - 15.01.2025

"The situation in the Oleksandro-Kalynove direction as of 20:00 /Moscow time/ January 15, 2025

In the Oleksandro-Kalynove direction, the operation to liberate Toretsk is gradually coming to a logical conclusion. The assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces were able to successfully consolidate their position at the industrial site of the "Saint Matrona of Moscow" mine.
Based on the footage published by the enemy, some time ago Russian stormtroopers occupied the territory of the repair base and the village of Komsomol, located on the northern outskirts of the administrative border of Toretsk. Several strikes were also carried out on the positions of the Russian Armed Forces in the city near the waste heap of mine No.12.
Thus, only a few waste heaps in the north-eastern part of the city, as well as the territory of the Toretska mine (about 5-10% of the territory of the settlement) remain under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the capture of which would mean the de facto complete liberation of Toretsk by the Russian Armed Forces. At the moment, it has been possible to establish that the battles for the last bastion of Ukrainian defense in the city have essentially already begun."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vremivka - 17.01.2025

"The situation in the Vremivka sector as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ January 17, 2025

In the Vremivka sector, the Russian Armed Forces continue the operation to encircle Velyka Novosilka, and today footage appeared online confirming the liberation of the nearby Vremivka.

The Russian flag was raised over the ruins of a two-story building on the Gagarin Street - 300 meters from this place there is a bridge to Velyka Novosilka. As can be seen from the footage, the overpass is impassable for equipment. However, infantry will most likely still be able to move along it.
According to our data, the southern part of the settlement is already under the stable control of the Russian Armed Forces. However, there may still be focal enemy presence on the northern outskirts. At the same time, several sources have already announced the complete clearing of the settlement by Russian troops.
Thus, the enemy has lost the last road to Velyka Novosilka, which will obviously affect the enemy's defensive capabilities. And even if it was possible for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to stock up on food and ammunition, then there are no longer any opportunities for the rotation of troops, or evacuation of the wounded.
An assault on Velyka Novosilka is possible not only from Vremivka. In the fields and forest belts, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have already pressed against the outskirts of Velyka Novosilka. And, apparently, if the enemy doesn't take countermeasures, the settlement may be liberated in the near future."

 

[TruckDriver9]

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vremivka - 22.01.2025

"The situation in the Vremivka sector as of 20:00 /Moscow time/ January 22, 2025

Over the past few days, events have been developing dynamically in the Vremivka sector: last week, Russian troops liberated Vremivka, and today the control of the Russian Armed Forces over the northeastern outskirts of Velyka Novosilka was confirmed.
Judging by the enemy's footage from the area that appeared online, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces advanced into private housing in the northeast of the settlement. The offensive was carried out from the direction of Novyi Komar and Rozdolne with the support of armored vehicles and UAVs.
According to some reports, the presence of Ukrainian units remains only on Zelenaya Street and in the area of the Velyka Novosilka Dairy Plant; the Russian Armed Forces are less than 500 meters from the bed of the Kashlahach River. And after the final clearing of the right bank of the river, Russian troops will be able to begin an offensive on the center of the village.
At the same time, fighting continues in other areas, although no objective footage has yet been received from there. On the opposite flank, Russian stormtroopers are advancing with support from the previously liberated Neskuchne and Vremivka, trying to dislodge the enemy formations from the Shaitanka microdistrict. It is separated from the central part of the village by the river of the same name, which significantly complicates the supply of the Ukrainian garrison and prevents the transfer of reserves.
The Ukrainian media complain daily about the deteriorating situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, gradually preparing the audience for the loss of the fortified area.
The situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine is further complicated by the almost complete lack of permanent supplies: the only route for the enemy remains a dirt road from Novoocheretuvate, but even there they still have to cross the Mokri Yaly River. Nevertheless, even this route is under constant surveillance and strikes of the Russian Armed Forces. In the last few days alone, the enemy has lost several armored vehicles in this area while attempting to break through."

---

Vremivka - 23.01.2025

"The situation in the Vremivka sector as of 16:00 /Moscow time/ January 23, 2025

In the Vremivka sector, the offensive of the Russian Armed Forces continues in Velyka Novosilka. If yesterday there were reports of the encirclement of the remaining enemy units in the settlement, today the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were cut in two in the center of the settlement.
In the southern part, the remnants of the personnel of the 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who did not have time to retreat to the northern part of Velyka Novosilka, were encircled. At the moment, there are calls to force the enemy to surrender in order to save the lives of servicemen abandoned by the Ukrainian command. The operation to clear the settlement is being carried out by the assault detachments of the 5th Tank Brigade of the 36th Army and Marines of the Russian Armed Forces.
Ukrainian troops cannot retreat west in the direction of Vremivka due to the fact that the bridge has been destroyed, and from the north the enemy is being pushed back from the direction of Novyi Komar.
It is worth noting that Velyka Novosilka was heavily damaged during the fighting, but the enemy is still trying to hold on to its positions to the last. There are no intact bridges in the northern part, but only makeshift crossings, where a detachment of Ukrainian infantry was spotted retreating yesterday, through which the enemy tries to cross the river from time to time. Such objects are regularly subjected to shelling and air strikes."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Ukrainian drone raid - 24.01.2025

"Massive drone raid of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. January 24, 2025

Last night, the enemy once again attacked energy infrastructure in central Russia. Air defense systems intercepted at least 170 drones in the country's airspace.
Over 50 UAVs were intercepted on approach to Kursk and in the region, no reports of casualties or damage were received. In the Rostov region, a total of seven drones were shot down in the Millerovsky, Tarasovsky and Sholokhovsky districts.
Over 40 drones were shot down in the Bryansk region. According to official statements from the press service of the Kremniy El microelectronics plant, the enterprise's production facilities were hit, at least six arrivals were recorded.
In Ryazan, the target of Ukrainian drones was a local oil refinery. About 20 UAVs were intercepted in the area of the facility, the wreckage of several of them damaged tanks with flammable substances and caused a fire.

At the moment, emergency services are dealing with the aftermath. According to some reports, the Novo-Ryazan Thermal Power Plant was also hit, but at the moment it is impossible to reliably confirm this information.

Ukrainian propaganda resources are also spreading reports about the alleged destruction of an oil depot in Saratov and a strategic aviation airfield in Engels. Air defense systems were indeed operating in the region, but no destruction or fires were actually caused.
In Moscow and the Moscow region, the operation of air defense systems was noted in Kolomna and Ramensky urban district, Shchelkovo, Troitsky and Sergiev Posad districts. Temporary restrictions on aircraft flights were introduced at the airports of Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Vnukovo, at the moment they have all been lifted.
Air defense operations was also noted in the skies over Crimea, in the Belgorod, Voronezh, Tula, Oryol, Lipetsk regions - in total, up to ten more drones were shot down. Restrictions on aircraft flights were introduced at the airports of Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Penza, Samara, Saratov and Ufa, at the moment their operation continues in the normal mode.
It is worth noting that the target of the raid, as last time, was the enterprises of the fuel and energy complex and other industrial facilities. They were not chosen by chance - footage of burning fuel spreads across the Internet very quickly, allowing the enemy to inflate its "success" in the eyes of the Ukrainian audience. And given the enemy's increasing production of drones and the lack of adequate anti-aircraft firepower at industrial sites, we should expect an increase in the number of such attacks in the future."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Novopavlivka - 24.01.2025

"The situation in the Novopavlivka direction. January 9-24, 2025

The offensive of the Russian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk area is developing not only on the city itself, but also on the border of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Over the past few days, the Russian Armed Forces liberated Solone and also expanded the control zone in the fields to the south of it, and are moving in the direction of Novopavlivka, Dnipropetrovsk after which the new direction of the front was named.
In the fields near Kotlyne, Russian troops have also shown success. Judging by the enemy's footage, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have almost completely liberated the village. According to the most optimistic estimates, there are only a few hundred meters left to the neighboring settlement of Udachne, but there is no objective control footage from there yet.
Earlier, the clearing of Solone was completed. Footage of Russian stormtroopers and the tricolor on the western outskirts of the village appeared online. Several days earlier, the neighboring Novovasylivka was liberated, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted several unsuccessful counterattacks.
At the same time, in the case of the latter settlement, individual propaganda sources of the enemy were spreading reports of an alleged "successful defensive operation." According to the Ukrainian version of events, the village was almost completely surrounded by a motorized rifle division and defended for a long time only by an infantry company. Of course, this is another example of the enemy's attempts to create an information "victory" out of thin air in the context of the successful offensive of the Russian Armed Forces in Donbass that has been going on continuously for more than a year.
There is also a local offensive of Russian troops in the fields and forest belts along the the Uspenivka-Nadiivka line. Several strongholds came under Russian control some time ago. At the same time, it is possible that the successes of the Russian Armed Forces may be much greater, since the enemy posts only footage favorable for himself.
To the south, the Russian Armed Forces have significantly pushed back the enemy in the Yasenove-Slovyanka area. According to the most optimistic estimates, Russian troops have already reached the outskirts of Novoandriivka. However, the information coming from here is still quite contradictory and not all of it can be confirmed by objective footage.
In general, we can now say that Russian troops are confidently advancing on a broad front (about 15 kilometers). Less than 10 kilometers, and in some places about five, remain to the administrative borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Accordingly, it is possible that soon, in parallel with the beginning of the assault on Pokrovsk, fighting will begin directly in the Dnipropetrovsk region."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Pokrovsk - 25.01.2025

"The situation in the Pokrovsk direction. January 11-25, 2025

Over the past two weeks, the Russian Armed Forces have achieved success in the central and western sectors of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad direction: the villages of Pishchane, Zelene and Kotlyne have been liberated, and the T-04-06 highway, which is important for the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has been cut off.

West
On the western flank, the Russian Armed Forces completely liberated Pishchane and hoisted the Russian flag on one of the buildings in the center of the village. Later, they managed to reach the southwestern outskirts of Zvirove, advancing "on the shoulders" of the retreating Ukrainian units.

At the same time, Russian troops began moving towards Kotlyne with the aim of cutting off the T-04-06 highway. And by January 20, the Russian Armed Forces established control over the territory of the Krasnoarmeyskaya-Zapadnaya No.2 mine, where an important stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was located. Later, relying on positions on the territory of the facility, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces drove the enemy out of Kotlyne by the end of January 24. Thus, the communication between the Ukrainian group in Pokrovsk and the garrison located to the west in Udachne was interrupted.

Center
In the central sector, the Russian Armed Forces improved their tactical position on the Novyi Trud-Dachenske line, liberating Zelene. Thus, an important defensive node of the Armed Forces of Ukraine south of Pokrovsk was eliminated, which opens up the possibility for Russian troops to attack Chunyshyne and Novopavlivka.
At the same time, Lysivka, located to the east, is still partially under enemy control due to the difficulties of its geographic location and the difficulty of storming it.

East
On the eastern flank, Russian stormtroopers, relying on Tymofiivka and Vozdvyzhenka, drove the enemy from the approaches to Yelyzavetivka. After that, in the course of a series of attacks, Russian troops occupied the eastern outskirts of the village and consolidated their positions in the buildings. About half of the settlement remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; while the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces, supported by UAVs and artillery, are gradually expanding their zone of control.
At the same time, the situation to the east of Malynivka, in the area of the interchange on the T-05-04 highway, remains tense. Judging by the footage taken from a drone, the intersection is in the "gray zone", while its upper level was destroyed.

Considering the current configuration of the front in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions, an offensive by Russian troops towards Hryshyne and the M-30 highway can be expected in the near future. Cutting it will eliminate an important supply route between Pokrovsk and Pavlohrad."

 

[TCOCBR18]

Russian forces completed the capture of Velikaya Novosyolka today, according to pro-Ukrainian and neutral sources. That puts the last major Ukrainian stronghold in the southwestern sector of the Donbass in Russian hands. From here the Russians will be able to push out of the Donetsk region into the Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Russian forces completed the capture of Velikaya Novosyolka today, according to pro-Ukrainian and neutral sources. That puts the last major Ukrainian stronghold in the southwestern sector of the Donbass in Russian hands. From here the Russians will be able to push out of the Donetsk region into the Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time.

Russian progress in southwestern Donetsk since September 2024.

 

[Cooper]

Poor guys.

 

[Cooper]

This could be the biggest news since the beginning of the war, it looks like the beginning of the end:

 

[TruckDriver9]

Andriivka - 04.02.2025

"The situation in the Andriivka direction as of 18:00 /Moscow time/ February 4, 2025

Fighting continues in the Andriivka direction, to the west of Kurakhove, in several areas. Russian troops are trying to clear the "pocket" on the Yantarne-Dachne line and finally drive the enemy out of the latter.
In Dachne, Russian fighters mined one of the intersections of the dirt road located at the southwestern entrance to the village. Later, in the same place, an M113 armored personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was blown up by a mine. Thus, most of the buildings in the western part of the village are under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, however fighting is still ongoing in the north.

On the Rozdolne-Rozlyv-Zelenivka line, Russian troops advanced in the forest belts some time ago, as evidenced by the footage published by the enemy on the Internet. Several forest belts have come under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, but there is no talk of significant progress yet. And statements about the beginning of the assault on Kostyantynopil also remain extremely premature."

---

Andriivka - 06.02.2025

"The situation in the Andriivka direction by the end of February 6, 2025

In the Andriivka direction, fighting continues on the Yantarne-Dachne line, where Russian troops are advancing west from Kurakhove, displacing the enemy from their positions along the H-15 highway.
Today, footage appeared online confirming the Russian control over all the buildings in Dachne.

Fighters of the Russian Armed Forces cleared the area around the school, hanging a flag from its windows. In fact, this means the complete liberation of the settlement. At the same time, Russian troops are attacking northwest of the settlement and repelling Ukrainian counterattacks to the southwest of it.
Fighting continues in the eastern part of Andriivka. A breakthrough in the enemy's defenses will allow Russian troops to continue their success in the Ulakly direction and finally encircle units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that have taken up positions on the left bank of the Vovcha River.
Against the backdrop of what is happening, the enemy is trying unsuccessfully to break through in the direction of Zelenivka, located on the high ground. At the moment, the neck of the “bag” in the Kostyantynopil-Ulakly sector, which allows the Armed Forces of Ukraine to retreat from the semi-encirclement, is no more than four kilometers wide."

 

[Cooper]

Good rundown on the Russian drone war in the Kursk region:

 

[larom]

Good rundown on the Russian drone war in the Kursk region:

Kursk right now both sides are pushing bounds on ground based offensive robotics, that's where most of the innovation is at the moment. Patrick Lancaster finally stopped embedding with the technically incompetent Akhmat/Chechen battalions who can barely get DJI drones right & is now with regular Russian military & whatever they call their version of the new "Unmanned Systems Forces" (Drone Brigade IIRC). His last few videos are the best since the war started IMO.

Robot dogs clearing trenches is something we'll probably see combat vids of this year & that's where it seems to be a race to at the moment.

 

[Cooper]

It's been a mild winter to date in the Donbas, so muddy terrain, slowing down Russian progress. The weather has cooled off recently and the ground is frozen, with cold weather forecast next week, so we might see faster progress.

 

[Cooper]

According to Larry Johnson today, the Russians have started a major pincer movement towards Sumy with the goal of creating a giant cauldron in Kursk.