I’m telling you, Synkivka was the key to this. Many of you will remember the Russian columns attacking the direction of Synkivka, and being destroyed over and over again.

Once that village fell, only a small river lay in the way. This wasn’t unexpected, but it I’m surprised how sudden it occurred. It’s possible that Ukraine left their northern Oskil bridgehead all together once the Russians cut it off at Kruhlyakivka.

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defences in the Kupyansk direction and entered the eastern part of the city.

Following a series of reconnaissance operations which involved Russian troops crossing the Hnylytsya river, it appears that Russia found the weak spot in Ukrainian defences and went in with armoured vehicles. They advanced down the railway line which leads into east bank Kupyansk, and were caught on video driving through the industrial part of the city.

The composition of the force involved a tank, a BMP and an MT-LB. The MT-LB was hit by a Ukrainian FPV drone while in a forest to the north, but the tank and BMP kept on moving south.

I doubt they would move into such a heavily fortified city without sending in reinforcements on the flanks, so in my opinion, it is likely that Russia took up limited positions in the northeastern suburbs. However, the question remains - will they be able to retain these positions, or will we see a similar situation to what happened in Selydove.

+ ~22.6km² in favour of Russia

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces have restarted offensive operations in Toretsk and have made progress in and around the city centre.

Following Ukrainian counterattacks which pushed the Russians from around half of their positions in the city centre, Russia regrouped and attacked again, pushing Ukraine back. They then moved on to assault the community centre and captured it. This was likely used as a forward troop concentration point, which then allowed Russia to move northwest to the Fomikha microdistrict, where they took up positions in a residential area.

It's possible that this advance's goal is to bypass the rest of the city centre and the mines from the north, allowing for a multi-vector attack. Ukraine has put up incredibly stiff resistance in the city centre, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is the plan as it would reduce losses.

Ukraine responded to this advance by drone-dropping explosives on Russian soldiers, wounding at least 3.

+ ~0.47km² in favour of Russia

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces continue to advance in and around Kurakhove and have captured the village of Illinka.

Following reports of a Russian advance into the eastern part of Kurakhove, geolocated footage surfaced showing a Russian presence opposite school no. 3. This indicates control over the northeastern part of the city.

However, Ukraine has a strong drone presence there. Several Russian tanks and armoured vehicles were hit as they attempted to advance into the city, including the one opposite the school.

It appears that Ukraine has not yet abandoned the city.

+ ~3.04km² in favour of Russia

Russia is very close to cutting half of Ukraine's logistical routes leading into Hulyaipole.

I think that once Russia reaches Zelene Pole (north of Levadne), we will see a second offensive from Myrne.

Recent reports from reliable sources suggest that Russian forces likely continue to close their pincers around the Ukrainian cauldron southeast of Kurakhove.

Russia likely advanced from positions near Maksymivka for over 6km up the highway to Kurakhove and are approaching Upsenivka - a key Ukrainian logistical hub.

Other reports suggest that they likely entered Dalnje, and captured the northeastern houses of the village, however other reports state that the village was fully captured.

If all of this is true, then it means that there is less than 5.7km to go until Ukraine is fully encircled here, and around 3.3km until they are operationally encircled.

Update: There are now reports stating that Russia did indeed secure a foothold in Kupyansk. Apparently, it was off Nekrasova street (red outline).

Smoke is rising over Slovyansk after a possible Russian missile strike.

Dragon's teeth fortifications have been spotted in residential parts of Pokrovsk.

Israeli airstrikes are reported on the city of Nabatiyeh, deep inside southern Lebanon.

Israel has conducted airstrikes on at least 28 settlements/suburbs on Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

The following settlements were targeted:
- Nabatiyeh
- Hanin
- Yater
- Kafra
- Choueifat (Suburb of Beirut)
- Ghobeiry, (Suburb of Beirut)
- Naqoura
- Burj al-Barajneh, (Suburb of Beirut)
- Dahiye, (Suburb of Beirut)
- Al-Bazourieh
- Bint Jbeil
- Kounin
- Baraachit
- Shaqra
- Safad El Battikh
- Al-Jumaijmeh
- Haddatha
- Souaneh
- Majdal Selm
- Aainata
- Tayri
- Mansouri
- Haret Hreik
- Sahmar
- Kfar Rumman
- Malqiya
- Hanouiyeh
- Tayr Harfa

(Note: each blue icon on the map represents one settlement/suburb targeted. It doesn't necessarily represent individual airstrikes).

Dozens of residential buildings were demolished in the Jabalia refugee camp (Northern Gaza) by the IDF yesterday, who used 4 tons of explosives. Here is footage showing just one of these explosions.

Heavy fighting continues in Toretsk, especially in the southern Zabalka district of the city.

Russian forces reportedly broke back into the eastern part of this district, occupying the school and a number of 3-story buildings.

In the south, after reports of success in pushing Russia from the Zabalka district, Ukrainian forces reportedly went on the offensive again and recaptured the Terykon, a forest, and a series of forest plantations.

The first snow is falling in Sumy. The same is expected for Kursk.

Russia has likely restarted assault operations near Novodonetske in the Velyka Novosilka direction.

Al-Mayadeen reported that 23 Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon yesterday - 7 of which were killed during clashes with Hezbollah's garrison stationed at the town of Bint Jbeil. I expect that if Israel goes through with the assault on Bint Jbeil, it will be very costly for them.

An Israeli airstrike near Beirut's international airport.