Additional locations in the Donbas taken over by Russia.
Things are now going into reverse for Zelensky's army, both in the region north of Sumy and in the Donbas. The offensive has not only come to a standstill, but is being pushed back and Russia has taken over further locations in the Donbas.
Zelensky has talked about wanting to occupy Russian territory with his offensive north of Sumy in order to generate “bargaining chips” for future talks with Putin. At present, the impression is growing that he has been playing games without the host, in this case the Russian army.
This is because the Russian army is not at all willing to give him the bargaining chips he has in mind and has not only stopped the invasion of the Zelensky army, but has also started to push back the invading troops.
Putin himself recently emphasized once again that he is in no way willing to enter into negotiations at the moment. His army will continue the “special operation” and put further pressure on Zelensky until he finally gives in.
So while Zelensky's offensive north of Sumy has been halted, the Russian units are continuing to advance, particularly in the central Donbas, and have taken over further locations in the past 48 hours. Mezheve has been completely cleared of Zelensky soldiers, Hrodivka and Kalynove are about to be handed over.
The southern wedge of the Russian army is thus advancing ever further and, it seems, inexorably towards Pokrovsk. This city, which once had more than 60,000 inhabitants, is THE strategic hub in the region, both for rail and road traffic.
Since last Tuesday, the first Russian units have approached Pokrovsk to within about ten kilometers, meaning that the city is already within range of Russian field artillery. And Zelensky has nothing to hold the city permanently. He prefers to waste his men in the north of Sumy.
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