Click to see full-size image
On December 23, both Russian and Ukrainian military sources confirmed Russian advance on the western flank of Artyomovsk (former Bakhmut). Russian forces gained new positions on a wide front in Bogdanovka and west of Khromovo.
The Russian military broke through Ukrainian defense and gained a foothold in the northern part of the village of Bogdanovka. According to preliminary reports from the front, Russian advance to the center of the settlement forced the Ukrainian military to withdraw main forces from Bogdanovka. At the same time, Russian fighters expanded the zone of their control in the forest plantations north and east of Bogdanovka. The village is almost partially encircled.
Click to see full-size image
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are reportedly taking defence west of the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal in the northern part of the town of Chasov Yar. They are already mining the city districts in the area of Zelenaya and Oleg Koshevoy Streets. In an attempt to stop Russian offensive the AFU are heavily shelling Bogdanovka and its outskirts, located in the lowlands, from their positions in Grigorovka and Chasov Yar.
Destruction of the AFU in the area of Artyomovsk:
Ukrainian stronghold in Chasov Yar is located in the dominant height. That’s why assault there is a complicated operation. Trying to take advantage of the terrain, the AFU are going to build their defense along the channel bed in the north of Chasov Yar.
Meanwhile, Russian forces also advance from the southern outskirts of Artyomovsk to Ivanovskoe (Krasnoe). Since the main defense line of the AFU will lay in Chasov Yar, they are likely to abandon their positions in Ivanovskoe soon.
