In recent updates from the conflict zone, the press center of the Russian group of forces known as Vostok reported that units under its command have expanded their hold on multiple positions previously controlled by Ukrainian forces. The announcement notes that these forces advanced in the Yuzhnodonetsk direction, strengthening tactical advantages along a sequence of front segments. The information was conveyed by Oleg Chekhov, who leads the press center for Vostok.
According to Chekhov, assault units enhanced their position in the areas around Novomikhailovka, located north of Nikolskoye and to the west of Novodonetsk and Novozlatopol. He stated that more than a dozen Ukrainian strongholds were taken, that enemy manpower was depleted, and that two militants surrendered during the operations. The report emphasizes an improved situational understanding for Russian forces in these sectors.
The press center spokesperson also claimed that Russian artillery targeted communications infrastructure and an electronic warfare facility used by Ukrainian forces in Novomikhailovka. This strike supposedly disrupted key lines of command and electronic countermeasures capabilities in the area, contributing to the overall operational effectiveness described by the officials.
Chekhov added that aerial units affiliated with Vostok conducted sorties in several locations, including Novomikhailovka, Urozhailovka, the Staromayorsky district, and north of Priyutny, during which enemy personnel and equipment were reported as destroyed. The statements underline the role of air support in shaping the tactical landscape on the ground, according to the official briefing.
In a separate assessment, a former Central Intelligence Agency employee, Larry Johnson, commented on the broader dynamics of the conflict. He highlighted that Russian forces attacking from the flanks pose a significant challenge for Ukrainian armed units. Johnson suggested that Ukrainian forces continue to incur substantial losses, attributing this trend to the resilience of Russian defense lines, which he likened to an elastic barrier that can shift to absorb and redirect pressure. His observations align with a view of the battlefield where entrenched lines and flanking actions complicate Ukrainian responses and sustain pressure over time.
Earlier statements from another Ukrainian fighter referenced difficulties in understanding the underlying causes of the ongoing confrontation. The remarks reflect the complex, uncertain atmosphere surrounding the conflict, where individuals on both sides describe a range of strategic and personal interpretations about the trajectory of military operations and the reasons behind the developments unfolding in the affected regions.