UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 98 - MAY 27, 2022

The Russian forces began direct attacks on Severodonetsk on May 27, even though they had not fully encircled the city yet. Throughout the ongoing war, Russian forces have performed poorly in operations in built-up urban areas and are likely not able to advance quickly in Severodonetsk itself. Russian forces continue to make steady and incremental progress around the city, but have not yet encircled Ukrainian defenders.

Ukrainian forces maintain their defense throughout eastern Ukraine and have halted most Russian advances. Russian forces are likely to continue advancing incrementally, and they could possibly encircle Severodonetsk in the coming days, but Russian operations around Izyum remain stalled. Russian forces are unlikely to be able to increase the pace of their advances.

Russian forces in Lyman seem to be dividing their efforts - they are attacking southwest to support the entrenched forces in Izyum, as well as southeast to advance on Siversk; they are likely to have difficulty achieving either target in the coming days.

Russian forces in Popasna are attempting to advance north to support the encirclement of Severodonetsk, rather than advancing west towards Bakhmut.

Positions northeast of Kharkiv remain largely static, with no major attacks from Russian or Ukrainian forces.

Russian forces continue to strengthen their defensive positions along the southern axis and are advancing efforts to integrate the Cherson region into Russian economic and political structures.

The full Russian Offensive Update 98 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online