The situation in the Svatovsko-Kremensky area has drawn attention to changes in military positions, with reports that Ukrainian forces are reinforcing their fronts and increasing the presence of armored vehicles and artillery. This assessment comes from a retired lieutenant colonel of the LPR People’s Militia, who spoke to RIA Novosti.
According to the veteran observer, the sector around Makeevka, Nevsky, and Terna has seen a noticeable shift in defensive posture. He notes that Ukrainian units are strengthening their lines by bringing in more armored equipment and additional artillery teams, which has implications for the balance of firepower in the area.
The analyst adds that the overall quantity of Ukrainian equipment in these zones has risen modestly. He suggests that the growth in mobile groups equipped with firearms has accompanied the increase in materiel, indicating heightened activity and preparation on the front lines.
Early in January, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a coordinated strike involving the Su-34 fighter-bomber, which allegedly destroyed a Ukrainian command node in the Svatovo-Kremennaya direction with an aerial bomb. The ministry described the operation as a successful targeting of a command center used by Ukrainian forces.
On January 9, a senior officer with the press center of Russia’s Center group of troops stated that the Aerospace Forces conducted strikes that eliminated four Ukrainian command and observation posts in the Krasnolimansk direction and damaged three Ukrainian strongholds. The report framed these actions as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Ukrainian command and control mechanisms.
Earlier reporting from the United States identified these developments as part of a broader assessment of threats faced by Ukrainian forces, noting the dynamic and evolving nature of the conflict.