Occupiers Seek to Secure Lyman as Launchpad for Offensive on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk

Russian forces have intensified their attempts to capture Lyman, viewing the city as a strategic staging ground for a future offensive toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, according to Joint Forces spokesperson Viktor Trehubov.

Speaking during a television broadcast, Trehubov said Russia's objective is not merely to enter Lyman but to establish and maintain control over the city, which would serve as a bridgehead for advancing deeper into the Donetsk region.

He noted that over recent months Russian troops have explored alternative routes, including attempts to bypass Lyman through the Rai-Oleksandrivka area. However, he stressed that any push toward Sloviansk without controlling Lyman would be highly risky, making the city's capture a key operational objective for Russian forces.

Despite sustained assaults, Trehubov said Russian troops have so far failed to establish a firm foothold in Lyman. While they have reached the eastern outskirts of the city, they have not secured control over it.

The spokesperson also described the situation near Kupiansk as difficult. According to him, Russian forces are attempting to advance from the north through the village of Holubivka, while Ukrainian troops continue operations aimed at pushing them away from the northern outskirts of the city.

East of the Oskil River, Russian forces have also intensified operations along the entire Ukrainian bridgehead. The heaviest fighting is taking place in the central sector, where Russian troops are attempting to advance through Pishchane toward Kucherivka and nearby settlements, with the goal of reaching Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi from the east.

Trehubov also highlighted the growing effectiveness of Ukraine's drone forces. He said Ukrainian unmanned systems have improved significantly over the past year, gradually shifting the battlefield balance in Ukraine's favor.

While Russia still retains advantages in certain areas, Trehubov noted that its forces continue to face challenges, particularly in deploying heavy unmanned aerial systems. He added that the increasing quality and number of Ukrainian drones and trained drone operators are strengthening Ukraine's defensive capabilities.

According to Ukraine's military, 226 combat engagements were recorded along the front line over the past 24 hours.