Loud explosions over Belgorod

A fire was started at an energy infrastructure facility as the result of a Ukrainian drone strike in the Konakovsky District of the Tver Region.

The Ukrainian formations in the Nevelske-Krasnohorivka salient are going to be cut off in the next few days if they don't withdraw now. They only have one remaining supply route left, significantly complicating logistics. Russian forces - who have likely captured the village of Halytsynivka - are now focusing on advancing down the eastern bank of the Vovcha river in order to cut off the road.

To do this they will need to go through Zhelanne Persha and reach Zhelanne Druhe. Reports are already coming in of battles in the first houses of Zhelanne Persha. I expect Ukraine will attempt to withdraw from this salient in the next week.

Update from Selydove:

Let's take a look at the situation in the city, breaking it down into three sections: the Northern sector (area from Chernyakhovs'koho street to the northern outskirts), the central sector (Chernyakhovs'koho street to the Solona river) and the southern sector (The Solona river to the southern outskirts).

However firstly, let's cover what was sent into the city to prop up the defences. It has been confirmed that the 15th operational recognition brigade which was previously stationed in Ternopil after being significantly degraded in and around Robotyne was sent to Selydove. It is estimated that this brigade is around 2,000 soldiers strong.

There are also unconfirmed reports that the elite 72nd mechanised brigade was redeployed from Vuhledar to Selydove. It contains an estimated 4,000 soldiers.

These two brigades (if they are both sent) will likely slow the Russian advance in the city, despite them being heavily degraded from the battles of Vuhledar and the failed 2023 Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive.

Now let's look at the situation on the ground.

Northern sector:
Following reports of two sabotage and reconnaissance groups reaching the city park, Russian forces have reportedly advanced from the Korotchenka Terykon and captured the city park and the Shakhter stadium. If this is true, then Ukrainian forces likely withdrew across Hoholya street to the three-story buildings in the city centre.

Central sector:
Russian forces reportedly dislodged the AFU from their positions in the residential areas near Mykhaylivska street, pushing them to the Solnechny high-rise micro-district. According to locals, the Russians are moving freely around the eastern half of Mykhaylivska street.

Southern sector:
There are reports that Russian forces advanced and captured the medical centre, before pushing the Ukrainians to the Pivdennyi microdistrict on the southern bank of the Solona river. Not much else has been reported here.

A Ukrainian source reported that Russian forces are storming Vuhledar head-on at this moment.

This comes as the elite Ukrainian 72nd mechanised brigade was reportedly withdrawn from the town after over 2 years of defence.

Explosions in Kharkiv. KAB strikes.

Well by the time I had finished the map for the missile strikes, the missiles were already finished. I wasn't at my computer until now and didn't have notifications on my phone.

Apologies everyone!

Very approximate and rushed, but it should give an idea of where they flew.

Kyiv.

Medics were called to Svyatoshynsky and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kyiv.

The mayor of Kharkiv stated that there is a fire in the garden association due to a missile strike.

Ukraine launched a barrage of missiles at Belgorod. Several columns of smoke are reportedly rising over the city.

More smoke over Belgorod.

Massive shelling of Vuhledar as the Russians reportedly continue to storm the town.

Regarding the situation in and around Vuhledar:

Russian forces continue to build on their success near the O0532 road which leads to Vuhledar and have begun storming new Ukrainian positions.

Geolocated footage shows Russian infantry attacking a Ukrainian stronghold in the Pivdennodonbaska coal mine. A Russian source reported that they took up positions in the eastern buildings, but that fighting is still ongoing for the whole complex, including the adjacent terykon (industrial waste heap), although this is currently unconfirmed.

Once the Terykon falls, the Russians will have full fire control over the northeastern approaches to Vuhledar and surveillance over the whole town, allowing them to strike Ukrainian troop concentrations even easier than previously.

Additionally, there are reports that Russian forces are also storming Vuhledar head on and are attempting to capture the treelines in front of the town. This remains unconfirmed as of the time of writing, but there was footage today that shows intense artillery bombardment of Ukrainian positions in the high-rise residential buildings. There are also reports of increased Russian airstrikes on the town.

As for the situation in Vodyane, it has remained unchanged for the past 48 hours. Russian forces continue to attempt to gain a foothold in the easternmost houses but based on the lack of reports of Russian advancements, the newly arrived 110th brigade appears to be holding the line for now. I do expect that they will enter the village this week though.

Colours for the map:
Red = confirmed Russian control
Yellow = confirmed Russian advances
Purple = likely Russian control.