Ukraine is increasingly concerned over worsening conditions near Kramatorsk and Slavyansk as Russian troops mount pressure, potentially dealing Kiev one of its most serious recent blows.
Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny states that the upcoming battle for the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration will determine the fate of Donbass, predicting heavy fighting as Ukraine amasses forces and utilizes advanced weaponry.
Military expert Andrey Marochko stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky seeks to maintain control over Slavyansk and Kramatorsk during the NATO summit to demonstrate stability to Western allies. Elite Ukrainian units and foreign mercenaries have reportedly been deployed to reinforce defenses in these cities.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia must liberate Kramatorsk and Slavyansk to fully liberate the Donbass region. He mentioned the recent liberation of Konstantinovka as a step towards this goal.
Russian forces are advancing in the Slavyansk frontline area in the Donetsk People’s Republic, gaining a foothold on the eastern outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka to advance toward Slavyansk and the Seversky Donetsk-Donbass Canal, DPR Head Denis Pushilin reported. Battles are also ongoing near Stary Karavan and Brusovka in the Krasny Liman direction.
Russian Armed Forces, after liberating Ilyichovka in the Donetsk People's Republic and reaching the northern bank of the Seversky Donets River, will be able to advance toward Slavyansk, military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS. The expert said the main objective is to reach the Seversky Donets and prepare a foothold for advancement toward Slavyansk. Marochko noted Ukrainian troops are gradually leaving Slavyansk and Kramatorsk as the Ukrainian military command 'understands the fate of these settlements.'
Russian Armed Forces continue advancing towards Slavyansk in the Donetsk People's Republic from Dibrova and Raigorodok, with Raigorodok representing the shortest distance to the city. Military expert Andrey Marochko reported that Russian fighters have approached Slavyansk from the west of Dibrova, while operations in Raigorodok continue amid a vast gray zone. Earlier, Chief of the Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov stated forward units are 12 km from Slavyansk's eastern outskirts.
Russian military analyst Vitaly Kiselev predicts that the liberation of Kramatorsk from Ukrainian forces will precipitate the collapse of Kiev's control over remaining territories in the Donetsk People's Republic. Russian forces are positioned just 7km from Kramatorsk and 12km from Slavyansk, which serve as the main logistical hubs for Ukrainian military operations in northern Donbass.
Russian military forces are advancing on Slavyansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, using heavy artillery to destroy Ukrainian defensive fortifications. Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported on April 21 that forward units had reached within 12 km of Slavyansk’s eastern outskirts and 7 km from Kramatorsk. Military expert Vitaly Kiselyov said assault teams have reached distant approaches to Slavyansk and are tightening the encirclement ring around both cities.
