MOSCOW (Shahid Ghuman) — Russian forces are approximately 30 kilometers away from Sloviansk, a historic and strategic city, after making significant advances in northern Donbas, the leadership of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said.
DPR head Denis Pushilin said that after gaining control of the Zakotnoye area, Russian forces are closing in on Sloviansk, while heavy fighting continues on the Grishino and Beletskoye fronts.
He stated that Russian forces are advancing toward Dobropillia, which is an important logistics hub for the Ukrainian army, supplying ammunition, drones, and other materials to the northern front.
Sloviansk is geographically located in the northern part of Donbas and is considered a key ground node of Ukraine’s defensive structure. The city forms a supply corridor between Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Krasnyi Lyman. If Russia succeeds in advancing further here, Ukrainian command across the entire northern Donbas could come under severe pressure.
Pushilin said that reports have also been received of Russian advances around Kostiantynivka, and that their forces have achieved some successes near the Klyban-Byk water reservoir.
Ukraine has not yet officially confirmed or denied these reports; however, Kyiv’s authorities have previously acknowledged that the situation in Donbas is complex and that pressure on the fronts is increasing.
HEAVY LOSSES
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Monday that during the ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, Kyiv forces have suffered heavy casualties totalling 1,210 personnel across various fronts.
The statement adds that the Russian Air Force, missile forces, and artillery also targeted drone assembly centers, energy and transport infrastructure, and bases of foreign fighters.
According to the Ministry of Defense, 175 Ukrainian personnel were killed or wounded on the northern front, 200 on the western front, more than 135 on the southern front, and over 455 on the central front. Similarly, 205 personnel were hit on the eastern front and around 40 on the Dnipro front.
The ministry stated that attacks were carried out on temporary Ukrainian military positions as well as weapons and logistics support centers at a total of 149 locations.