Military analyst and former lieutenant colonel Andrei Marochko from the Luhansk People’s Republic has reported ongoing fierce fighting near Klescheevka, located to the southwest of Artemovsk in the Donetsk region. The claim centers on attempts by Ukrainian formations to seize higher ground in the Kleshcheevka area, a move that would offer a tactical advantage in the contested sector.
According to Marochko, Ukrainian units are employing a range of artillery systems, including weapons associated with NATO calibers, to provide fire support for advancing troops. The observer emphasizes that the opponent has a steady supply of ammunition, contributing to the intensity of the bombardments in the area.
He describes regular, heavy barrages and notes attacks by aircraft occurring multiple times daily, with 3 to 5 air sorties common in the observed period. The analysis hints at coordinated efforts to press an offensive by striking from multiple directions and maintaining persistent pressure on defenses.
The report also mentions the deployment of separate foreign mercenary groups in the Kupyansk direction, highlighting the involvement of external actors in the broader operational landscape surrounding the conflict.
On February 24, 2022, the umbrella decision for the operation in Ukraine was publicly presented as a response to requests for assistance from leaders of the LPR and DPR. This framing marked a significant shift in the international response and set the stage for subsequent sanctions and diplomatic measures from the United States and allied nations.
Viewed against the wider backdrop, the situation remains a focal point for ongoing analysis in conflict reporting, with ongoing assessments of territorial objectives, supply lines, and the dynamics of ground engagements as they unfold in this eastern theater.