The Russian Defense Ministry announced a few hours earlier (Friday, June 20) the capture of the settlement of Novonikolayevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic by soldiers of the Center group of forces. Novonikolayevka is a village located on the border of Donetsk and the central-eastern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk. Its capture makes the Russian threat to Dnipropetrovsk more dangerous than ever.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, in recent days and until June 20, the Russian army in the Dnipropetrovsk direction inflicted terrible losses on 8 different Ukrainian brigades: 3 motorized, 2 marine brigades, 1 airborne brigade of paratroopers and 1 brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard.
Kiev’s total losses for yesterday are estimated at 460 fighters, while the Ukrainian army also lost 7 armored vehicles, 2 wheeled vehicles and 3 artillery pieces, including an advanced Western Krab self-propelled gun.
The Russian military advance in the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk region has significantly worsened the situation around Pokrovsk, the last major stronghold of the Ukrainian army in Donetsk.
The Ukrainian soldiers defending this village may soon find themselves trapped inside. Russian troops are carrying out multiple waves of assaults daily, disrupting the operations of Ukrainian artillery and Ukrainian drone operators.
The good weather conditions allow Russia to implement a new and very effective tactic. These raids are now carried out by soldiers, divided into small groups, who maneuver with the help of motorcycles on the battlefield.
According to the testimonies of Ukrainian soldiers, this tactic has proven to be particularly effective. The Russians, with the speed and maneuverability of the machines, can even escape attacks from Ukrainian kamikaze drones, let alone enemy artillery fire.
As you can see on the map, the Russian plan to encircle Pokrovsk is taking shape, bringing to life the Ukrainian army’s biggest nightmare for the Donetsk sector.
