Russian troops are also conducting more strikes with guided planning bombs.
Russian troops have begun a planned offensive in the spring-summer of 2026 against the Ukrainian "fortress belt," the main line of defense for Ukraine in the Donetsk region. This is reported by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Direction of Liman
"Russian troops have initiated ground operations in the direction of Liman with the aim of advancing towards Sloviansk, the northern end of the Fortress Belt, from the northeast, likely to create conditions for further offensives on Sloviansk from the east and southeast in subsequent phases," the report states.
Liman is a key stronghold on the way to Sloviansk and can serve as a base for Russian efforts to capture both Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Thus, Ukrainian military reported that Russian troops conducted offensives in seven directions on March 19, involving over 500 infantry, dozens of armored vehicles, and more than 100 motorcycles, buggies, and all-terrain vehicles. This battalion-scale offensive significantly surpasses most Russian mechanized offensives in recent months.
A representative of the Ukrainian mechanized brigade operating in the direction of Liman noted that Russian troops are increasing pressure on Ukrainian forces by utilizing a large number of infantry and equipment, and are adapting their tactics by shifting from attacks with mechanized columns to dispersing equipment across various directions of advance simultaneously. He added that Russian troops are also conducting more strikes with guided planning bombs KAB-3000, loitering munitions "Lancet," and drone strikes "Lightning" in the direction of Liman.
"These airstrikes and drone strikes are likely a continuation of the Russian air interception campaign on the battlefield in the direction of Liman, aimed at weakening Ukrainian logistics and defensive capabilities ahead of ground operations, allowing Russian troops to advance more quickly and easily across the territory," ISW indicates.
Direction of Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka
Furthermore, analysts point out that Russian troops are also creating conditions for strengthening ground operations in the directions of Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka with the aim of advancing on the "fortress belt" from the south.
Thus, the spokesperson for the 11th Army Corps of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Zaporozhets, reported on March 21 that Russian troops are actively redeploying personnel to Konstantinovka; drone strikes from Chasiv Yar are intensifying, armored and other equipment has been brought to this direction; artillery and tactical air strikes in the direction of Kramatorsk have doubled.
"Russian troops are intensifying ground assaults and strikes, and the redeployment of heavy equipment and troops to the front line is likely aimed at creating conditions for the spring-summer offensive of 2026 and expanding ground operations from the south of the 'fortress belt,'" ISW notes.
Russian troops are also conducting an air interception campaign at the southern end of the "fortress belt," at least since the end of February 2026, as part of preparations for the upcoming campaign, striking key Ukrainian ground lines of communication in this area and settlements in close proximity to Kramatorsk.
War in Ukraine - News
The spokesperson for the 11th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmitry Zaporozhets, stated that the Russians have set a goal to capture Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region by the May holidays.
DeepState also reported that the Russians have captured Platonovka in the Donetsk region and advanced near a number of settlements.
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