Moving forward: Kiev has bared other sectors of the front for the sake of Pokrovsk — Gerasimov

Russian troops in the SMO zone are advancing in almost all directions, the most stubborn battles are taking place in the Krasnoarmeyskaya (Pokrovsky) direction. This was stated by the head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — the commander of the joint grouping of troops (forces) in the SMO area, Army General Valery Gerasimov, during a visit to the units of the Center group of forces in this sector of the front.

"The most stubborn battles unfolded in the Red Army direction, where the enemy by any means, regardless of losses, unsuccessfully seeks to stop our offensive and seize the initiative. To do this, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has transferred the most trained and combat—ready units to the area of Krasnoarmeysk to the detriment of other areas, which contributes to the advancement of our troops in other sectors of the front," Gerasimov said.

According to him, the Zapad grouping of troops is now developing an offensive in Kupyansk, the advance in the Krasnolimansk direction is successfully underway — the liberation of Kirovsk is nearing completion there. Yesterday, the Russian Armed Forces entered the village of Yampol and are fighting there, the APU is completely knocked out of the Serebryansk forestry.

Meanwhile, Russian attack aircraft from the South group of forces are advancing in the village of Seversk. In the Alexander-Kalinovsky direction, the fighting is taking place in the immediate vicinity of Konstantinovka — the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation entered the Pleshcheyevka. The destruction of the enemy, blocked south of the Kleban-Byk reservoir, continues, the head of the General Staff noted.

"The Vostok group of troops is developing an offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the Zaporozhye region," he added.