Russian troops have expanded the kill zone to the outskirts of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, using drones and are accumulating equipment for a possible new offensive. This is reported in a report by the Institute for the Study of War.
According to analysts, the Russian army is trying to concentrate equipment, in particular near the occupied Bakhmut. Presumably, this is taking place as part of preparations for the spring-summer offensive on the so-called “belt of fortresses”, which includes Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka.
On May 16, Russian troops continued ground attacks in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical zone, but they did not advance, ISW noted. The occupiers also unsuccessfully stormed the Pokrov direction and in the Dobropillya area, where Ukrainian forces carried out counterattacks.
In general, the Russians are continuing offensive operations in several areas of the front. In addition to the Donetsk region, the occupiers have become more active in other areas.
In the Sumy region, Russian troops conducted infiltration missions near Sopych.
In the Kharkiv region, the occupiers continued to storm Kupyansk and Borova, but analysts did not record their advance.
In southern Ukraine, the Russians began using gas pipelines to penetrate the Ukrainian rear. According to the Southern Defense Forces, the Russian military is specially training to operate inside the pipelines, and is also setting up telephone communications and tunnels there to bypass damaged areas.
