Russian forces gear up for new assault: Cities in the line of fire

The heaviest fighting rages around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, as Russian troops gear up for new assaults on Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk.

Retired Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (2006–2010) and founder of the “Close the Sky over Ukraine” charitable foundation, said this on Espreso TV.

“Our defensive line runs along Pokrovsk — Myrnohrad — Kostiantynivka — Druzhkivka — Sloviansk — Kramatorsk. The heaviest fighting is currently around the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad area, but the enemy is steadily preparing the next operations. Kostiantynivka is of particular concern, because Druzhkivka sits in a lowland, making Kostiantynivka a key point in the defense system,” Romanenko said.

According to him, the occupiers are currently directing their actions straight toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk from the northeast.

"There is hostile movement in the Lyman area. In fact, they are encircling Yampil around Lyman. If you look at the map in the direction of Lyman–Siversk, that is the western axis — the route of operations toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk… Unfortunately, such developments on the fronts will continue until the Defense Forces of Ukraine are provided with the necessary capacity," Romanenko stressed.