War Experts: If This Continues, Lyman's Northern Horn Will Be Severed

Ukrainian forces are making significant gains in the Lyman direction, advancing south of Novoye-Katerynivka and potentially threatening to cut off the northern flank of Russian positions. Their advance could block Zelena Dolyna from the rear, a key road junction vital for the Russian forces' northern flank. The situation in Zelena Dolyna itself is unclear, but Russian forces can no longer fully utilize this crucial route to their salient, continuing attacks on the Drobysheve and Stavky sectors.

If the current trend continues, the northern "horn" of Lyman could be severed. To stabilize the situation, Russia has reportedly begun attacks towards Novomikhailivka, targeting the eastern flank of the advancing Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, in the Kupyansk direction, there is a relative lull on the contact line with localized clashes occurring near Kupyansk city.

In the Sloviansk direction, fighting persists in the Rai Oleksandrivka sector without significant changes. In the Donetsk direction, Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops out of Filiivka near Pokrovsk, a move possibly resulting from successful Ukrainian operations in the Piddubne sector. Russia has continued attacks on fuel storage in Novospaske and energy infrastructure in Yalta, Crimea. Ukraine reported neutralizing three Kh-59/69 missiles and 154 drones, while one ballistic missile was also used by the aggressor.