The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counteroffensive thwarted Russia’s plan to encircle Sloviansk and Kramatorsk from the north

Russian forces have lost more than 200 square kilometers on the main axis of their offensive in the Donetsk region. This disrupted the RF‘s plans to encircle the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from the north, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and OSINT analyst Kleman Molen reported. Later this information was confirmed by Rochan Consulting.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive lasted four months. During that time the UAF liberated Nove, reached Kolodezi and carried out an assault on the sector between Katerinivka and Novolyubivka. As a result of these actions the Russian grouping was effectively cut off.

According to Rochan Consulting, the Russian army lost about 240 square kilometers. The ISW noted that the Ukrainian operation negated all of Russia‘s territorial gains since the beginning of March.

Russian military experts also acknowledged that Ukrainian forces broke through the defensive line and reached the rear of the RF formation in the area of Lyman.

President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Russia has postponed the deadline to capture the Donbas.

Earlier we wrote:

• Russia attacked on several fronts, but did not achieve confirmed successes
• The UAF improved positions on three fronts: ISW reported changes on the front
• Russian forces did not advance on several front sectors — ISW
• ISW: In 2026 the RF’s pace sharply slowed — the buffer zone near Kharkiv remains out of reach
• Syrskyi after resignation: 743 km² liberated, Kursk operation and Unmanned Systems Forces