“Russian forces continue to pursue an approach of creeping envelopment from the Popasna direction, removing the need to force a major new crossing of the Siverskyi Donets River in this sector,” the ministry said in its report.
Current ground combat is most likely centered on the Lyschansk oil refinery, which is located 10 kilometers southwest of the city center.
“At the operational level, Russian forces continue to make limited progress as they attempt to encircle Ukrainian defenders in northern Donetsk Oblast via advances from Izium,” the MoD said in a tweet.
The ministry added the ability of Ukrainian forces to engage in delaying fights and then withdraw soldiers in good order before being trapped “will continue to be a key factor in the outcome of the campaign.”