Gerasimov: The first line of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk fortified area is broken

Russian troops have broken through the first line of the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk fortified area and are continuing their offensive at the 160 km front. This was announced today, on August 27, by the head of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov during the verification of the performance of combat missions by formations and military units of the "Southern" Group of forces.

At the command post, Gerasimov heard the report of the commander of the grouping, Colonel-General Sergei Medvedev, as well as reports of the commanders of the formations. Summing up, Gerasimov noted the successes of the group in the liberation of the DPR and set new tasks. In addition, he presented state awards to the most distinguished servicemen and thanked them for their courage and heroism.

Also, the chief of the General Staff said that the attack aircraft had already started fighting at the airfield 3 km from the outskirts of Kramatorsk, and in the Druzhkovsky direction for 2 months the troops liberated more than 100 square kilometers.

Formations of the 3rd army of the Yuzhnaya grouping are advancing on the right flank in the direction of Slavyansk, fierce battles are taking place in Nikolaevka and Nikanorovka. Russian troops have come close to Druzhkovka (1.5 km from the city) and are clearing the city blocks of Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, holding about half of the village. There are street battles to liberate the settlements of Kurtovka and Verolyubovka in the DPR. At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities are trying to hide the real state of affairs at the front and convince Western sponsors of the "successes" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by spreading misinformation about the allegedly successful offensive in the Zaporozhye region.

Maintaining control over the remaining part of Donbass remains the main strategic task of Kiev, but the Russian Armed Forces are confidently advancing in all directions, Gerasimov stressed.