Ukraine War Maps Show Russian Gains Around Two Crucial Towns

Russian troops have made incremental advances in two towns in the Donetsk oblast region, it has been reported as maps by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) show the latest state of play in the eastern Ukrainian region in the war's frontline.

In its assessment on Sunday, the think tank said fighting had been ongoing north, southeast and south of the town of Chasiv Yar over the weekend. It noted how one pro-Kremlin military blogger had said Russian forces had crossed an unspecified flank of the city on the Siverskyi Donets –Donbas Canal Canal.

However, the ISW said it did not currently think that Russian forces had established any lasting positions on the west side of the canal around the town whose high elevation and strategic location are key to further Russian advances in Donetsk.

One of the think tank's maps showed Russian-controlled positions to the east and northeast of the town. Also, assault elements of Russia's 88th "Hispaniola" Volunteer Brigade were saying that they are conducting assaults near Chasiv Yar on motorcycles, the ISW said.

The Washington, D.C., think tank noted that another Russian milblogger had said that Russian forces managed to advance southeast of Toretsk, which is roughly 16 miles further south, although ISW said it not seen visual confirmation of these claims.

Another ISW map shows how geolocated footage marked advances east of the town on July 19 and the seizure of the settlement of Yurivka further south two days later.

The reports come as Ukraine said that Russia has has deployed additional assault units near a village by the border with Russia in the Kharkiv oblast ahead of expected further offensive operations.

Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces operating in the area told Interfax Ukraine on Sunday that Russian troops had gathered in Hlyboke, less than five miles from the frontier with Russia and 25 miles from the city of Kharkiv, the Kyiv Independent reported.

These forces include assault groups of the 155th Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are regrouping for further attacks in central and eastern parts of Vovchansk, according to Voloshyn.

Vovchansk, saw some of the heaviest fighting after Russia launched an offensive into the northeast of the Kharkiv region in May in which Moscow made few gains and suffered many casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that around 20,000 Russian troops had been killed during the failed push.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.

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