The Russian army continues its impressive advance across all front lines… Information already indicates that preparations are underway for the start of the assault on Slavyansk, the next major city in the Donetsk region. Its fall—along with Kramatorsk—would signal the end of the Donbass and the collapse of the bulk of the Ukrainian defense, specifically its most fortified lines. But it is not just the Donbass. The Russian army continues to strengthen positions toward both Zaporizhia and Dnipro, from which they are now only 70 kilometers away. Many argue that if the Russians capture Dnipro, the road to Kherson opens without the need to cross the Dnieper River. At the same time, Ukrainians speak of counterattacks in areas where Russians supposedly do not exist, claiming they are seizing territory in the Dnipro region to "exchange" it for Kherson in the long run. While Ukrainians draft scenarios and suffer heavy losses in these attacks, the Russian army is constantly supplied with new modern weapons, ensuring military and technological superiority. Against this backdrop, analysts suggest the US desires the war to end as soon as possible, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov levels accusations against the Trump administration, claiming it can no longer uphold proposals made during the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska.
Assault on Slavyansk
Recent events on the front demonstrate increased activity by Russian forces, which Western analysts believe indicates an imminent assault on Slavyansk. Increased fighting in the Krasny Liman area and offensive actions from the east and northeast suggest a strategic transition to a full-scale operation. The main goal is the complete paralysis of Ukrainian supply chains in this strategic sector. High-precision strikes on key infrastructure confirm this offensive potential. Operators from the 6th Cossack Brigade, using unmanned systems, successfully neutralized a Ukrainian outdoor warehouse. Drone operators displayed high professionalism, ensuring a precise hit that will impact enemy resupply efforts.
Ukrainians retreating
Experts confirm that in the Krasny Liman direction, Ukrainian formations have begun abandoning positions in the settlement of Alexandrovka, where Russian forces have established firm control over the center. The northern part remains a "gray zone." Operations continue to close the pocket north of Krasny Liman between Stavki and Zarechnoye. Russian fighters enter in small groups to "slice" and clear sections to complete the full blockade. A decisive battle for Krasny Liman is expected once the front line is aligned. Ukrainian reserves attempting to move through the Slavyansk power station are under Russian fire control.
3,000 cut off
Approximately 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been cut off in Konstantinovka following the destruction of the Molocharskoye reservoir dam. Russian forces reportedly dropped a FAB-3000 bomb on the dam to destroy the enemy logistics chain. The dam is located two kilometers from Konstantinovka, where Ukrainian fighters have reportedly begun raising white flags due to the inability to keep warm in the severe frost. With the river potentially overflowing, the garrison will be completely severed from supplies and unable to rotate forces.
Pokrovsk lost
Meanwhile, Bild analyst Julian Röpcke inadvertently refuted Kiev's narrative, hinting that Ukrainian forces have "finally lost Pokrovsk." Röpcke published footage of a bridge demolition west of Grishino, an area previously thought to be under Ukrainian control. This reveals that the Russian army has organized a logistics corridor for reserves, meaning Russia has advanced significantly further west of Pokrovsk than previously estimated. Russian assault units are advancing along the southern outskirts of Rodinskoye, seizing new positions and intensifying pressure on the defense.
Total breach of the front
In the Huliaipole area of the Zaporizhia front, Russian assault forces have reached the outskirts of Tsvetkove, a critical point behind the main Ukrainian defense line along the Haichur River. This represents an exit into the rear area, making it extremely difficult to maintain Ukrainian positions. Furthermore, fighters entered Krynychne, establishing a firm presence. Russian forces moved toward Vozdvizivka, using natural terrain to expand the control zone. The Ukrainian defense here has lost its integrity, and resistance is limited to scattered points.
The road to Zaporizhia opens
The week was productive for Russian forces on the Zaporizhia front, capturing the villages of Staroukrainka and Petrovka, 6km west of Huliaipole. This expanded the bridgehead on the western bank of the Haichur River. The next target is Verkhnyaya Tersa, a vital logistical hub for the defense of the Orekhovo area. Capturing it is essential to neutralize the largest Ukrainian fortified complex in the region. From Orekhovo, a direct road opens to the city of Zaporizhia. To the west, the "Dnieper" group captured Rechnoye, just 13km south of the Zaporizhia administrative center, bringing much of the city under Russian fire control.
Ukrainian... counterattack in Dnipro
Earlier, Ukrainian media leaked information regarding a supposed counterattack toward Dnipro. Reports claimed that between February 5 and 7, Ukrainians captured seven settlements, though Russian media noted that in some of these, Russian soldiers had not even entered. This situation mirrors previous "media victories" intended for domestic consumption.
Massive losses
Ukrainian bloggers link this specific "counterattack" to massive personnel losses. Following an engagement in the Dmytrivka area, two KamAZ trucks full of "Cargo 200" (dead) were reportedly moved. Similar reports of heavy casualties emerge from each mentioned settlement. Meanwhile, Ukrainian media focus on Starlink terminal outages, accompanying reports of "achievements" with claims that Russian communications have collapsed—though Russians report that the problem has been largely addressed through alternative means.
Exchanging Dnipro for Kherson
Some Ukrainian outlets even floated a version where territories are not being "captured" but "received" as part of a long-term land swap—the Dnipro region in exchange for Kherson. However, no objective sources confirm these leaks. Russian sources state the army is only 12km from Pavlohrad and 50–70km from the outskirts of Dnipro. From there, a turn toward Kherson is possible without crossing the Dnieper River.
11 counterattack attempts
On February 7, the Russian "East" group reportedly repelled 11 Ukrainian counterattack attempts by small assault groups in armored vehicles. Simultaneously, Russian assaults expanded the control zone by 5 sq. km. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Syrsky announced impending changes in the Huliaipole direction, a move military correspondents compared to statements made before the failed 2023 counteroffensive. The ISW (Institute for the Study of War) stated on February 8 that Russia is preparing a new offensive for the summer, likely focusing on the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk or Orekhov–Zaporizhia axes.
The "Upyr" terrifies the front
Recently, Russian forces received several modern weapon systems, including the Upyr 18 heavy hexacopter drones. These are capable of ramming enemy "Baba Yaga" and "Vampire" drones. The Upyr can carry a 10kg anti-tank mine (TM-62) for dozens of kilometers, destroying enemy bunkers and shelters. This significantly simplifies logistics for Russian assault units, as the TM-62 has become an irreplaceable payload for clearing enemy fortifications.
New drones ready
Serial production has begun for the Provod, a heavy attack drone using fiber-optic control. While it carries a smaller load than the Upyr, it is immune to electronic warfare (EW). Additionally, new heavy FPV drones named Koshchei have been prepared for deployment to units of the 20th Combined Arms Army.
New guided bombs
Russian forces have reportedly received guided aerial bombs with a corrected flight range exceeding 200 kilometers. While Ukrainian intelligence expected them in the summer of 2026, infrastructure was hit by them in recent days. Furthermore, the Sarma MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) is being tested in combat. It can fire with high precision even under intense electronic interference, coordinating group strikes against multiple targets.
Sea drones for the Black Sea
Naval innovations include the Skorlupa, a fiber-optic controlled unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to intercept Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea. It is Russia's first mass-produced USV with fiber-optic control, serving as a scout, patrol unit, or mobile base for launching other fiber-optic drones, offering new tactical possibilities in coastal and river environments.
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