This morning, two more Tu-95MS strategic bombers redeployed from Olenya Air Base to Engels-2 Air Base, for the purpose of being equipped with Kh-101 cruise missiles. They will probably conduct the return flight to Olenya within the next 48 hours.

Russian forces expanded their northern bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskil River, entering the village of Topoli.

They advanced from their positions in the forest plantations on the western bank of the river, and moved through the trees to the central houses of Topoli. They were able to take up new positions there and pushed the rest of the village into the grey zone.

+ ~0.47km² in favour of Russia

In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces made important advances, capturing a large section of the northern part of Lysivka.

After months of very little success here, Russian forces finally broke through Ukrainian positions, and established control over the central part of the village. This threatens any remaining Ukrainian formations in the southern part with encirclement.

It also complicates any future attacks on or near the village of Dachenske.

+ ~0.40km² in favour of Russia.

Correction of the frontline in favour of Ukraine:

Ukrainian forces retain control over the forests west of Nadiivka in western Donetsk Oblast, with the grey zone now extending to the westernmost houses of Nadiivka, where Ukrainian forces may hold positions.

While it is possible that part of this was a counterattack, in my opinion it was likely never in the grey zone in the first place.

+ ~0.78km² in favour of Ukraine.

Russian forces are continuing their advance in the Komar direction, and expanded their bridgehead on the western bank of the Mokri Yaly River.

They advanced from positions in the northern part of Novoocheretuvate, moving along a treeline which runs next to the O0509 road, reaching the southern outskirts of Skudne.

They also advanced along a parallel forested area, and then a treeline that runs west from the northern end of the forest, linking up with the groups on the southern outskirts of Skudne.

+ ~0.50km² in favour of Russia.

Iskander from Crimea in the direction of Kryvyi Rih.

Another launch

Explosions in Kryvyi Rih.

2 Tu-95MS strategic bombers redeployed from Engels-2 Air Base to Olenya Air Base.

These aren’t the ones that flew there from Olenya earlier today, but are more likely to be ones that took part in the simulated launch maneuvers over the Caspian three days ago. Three of the four aircraft landed at Engels, while one did the full return trip to Olenya.

This means that it’s likely that these are two of those three that landed at Engels, meaning they probably weren’t even equipped with missiles when simulating the launch maneuver, as most Tu-95s redeploy to Engels to be equipped with Kh-101 cruise missiles.

One of the explosions in Kryvyi Rih.

There are reports of large columns of smoke over the city, and a fire at the impact site, with fire brigades and medical teams rushing there.

Explosions in Kyiv. Likely a Geran-2 drone strike.

Iskander on Sumy.

Explosions in Sumy city.

Large Geran-2 drone attack on Kyiv right now. Several loud explosions have been heard in the city. Drones are also flying over other parts of the Oblast.