Русите имаат иницијално побрз напредок од очекуваното. Дали Украинците свесно трампаат space for time или Русите функционираат подобро, ќе видиме наредниов период.
Ако продолжат да напредуваат со ова темпо јужно од Изум, можно е да го поделат Донбас на два дела и да ги отсечат Северодонеск и Лисичанск од Краматорск и Славјанск. А ако стигнат до Барвинкове може ефективно да ги отсечат цел Донбас од остатокот од Украина.
- The VKS has targeted forward command posts in Husarivka and Andrivka (both villages outside Balakliia), and claimed the destruction of an Ukraiinian Osa-AKM system in that area. yesterday.
- South of Izium, the Russians have secured Dibrovne, and are in the process of assaulting Dovhenke.
- The Ukrainians were forced to withdraw from Pisky Radkivski to Lozove, and the Russians have shot down one of Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters near Korovii Yar.
- Further east, there is meanwhile no doubt the Russians have captured Kremina (north-west of Severodonetsk). Indeed, they seem to have secured Zarichne too, and are pushing in direction of Lyman and Mykolaivka.
- Despite the deployment of the 4th Rapid Intervention Brigade of the National Guard and Georgian Battalion, Ukrainians seem to have lost most of Rubizhne, which is a crucial position north-west of Severodonetsk.
- The RFA is advancing in Popasna, i.e. on the best way of forcing remaining defenders out of the ruins of that town.
- Ukrainians say they have repelled all the assaults in the area between Toretsk and Avidiyivka (both are west of Horlivka), and there is no doubt that the RFA and Separatists have suffered heavy losses there, but one can’t expect the Ukrainian troops there to hold out forever.
- Finally, the Russians and Separatists have launched a counter-attack on Marinka, late on 19 April: results are not known to me, right now.
