Ukraine keeps shifting pressure as Russians try to identify Ukraine’s next move

Today the biggest news comes from the Liman direction.

Here, Russian forces are continuing to pull back from positions west of the Zherebets River, allowing Ukrainian forces to expand their control across several settlements and secure new ground along the river line. After Russian withdrawals from the areas of Zelena Dolyna and Shandryholove, Ukrainian troops continued their counterattacks with limited resistance, pushing deeper into the previously contested zone. In the Liman direction, Ukrainian forces retook Myrne, while further north in the Borova direction they entered Novolyubivka and reached the western side of Balka Zhuravka, bringing additional sections of the riverbank under Ukrainian control.

These advances have given Ukraine control over another thirteen square kilometers of Luhansk Oblast, which Russian officials claimed they have captured in full. Reaching the Zherebets River means Russian forces now have to prepare defenses along a wider section of the front, as Ukrainian positions along the river create several possible directions for future offensive operations.

As Russian forces began withdrawing from positions west of the Zherebets River, Ukrainian forces pushed forward with smaller infiltration groups across the river while gradually consolidating control of the western bank. Russian sources have reported Ukrainian groups appearing across the Zherebets River, indicating that Ukrainian forces are already probing the eastern bank and identifying vulnerable areas behind the frontline.

Because Russian commanders have refused to acknowledge the full extent of the Ukrainian advance, many drone operators, support teams, and command posts have stayed in the same areas instead of withdrawing and regrouping farther east. This leaves them exposed to Ukrainian ambushes, allowing Ukrainian groups to strike the personnel and equipment supporting Russian operations behind the frontline and delay the preparation of new defensive positions along the eastern bank. As a result, Russian commanders must manage threats on both sides of the river at the same time, while Ukrainian forces use the disruption to strengthen their positions closer to the frontline.

While Russian units are attempting to reorganize behind the frontline and guessing where Ukraine will launch its main effort, Ukrainian forces are clearing remaining positions, improving logistics, and preparing the formations that will take part in the next phase of the operation. A river crossing also requires the ability to keep forces supplied after reaching the opposite bank, with stable logistics and continuous drone support needed to hold new positions. Ukrainian infiltrators across the river are disrupting Russian lines and creating the time needed for the main Ukrainian force to move support closer, strengthen its positions, and prepare the follow up assault.

Without this preparation, a rapid crossing would leave Ukrainian forces vulnerable after reaching the opposite bank, while the disruption of Russian positions gives Ukraine more time to organize the forces needed to continue the advance.

Overall, Ukraine’s advances along the Zherebets River have created a new position from which Ukrainian forces can continue developing their operations. Ukrainian infiltrators are already disrupting Russian rear areas, while units on the western bank are securing their positions and preparing for further movement along the river. The return of Ukrainian forces into Luhansk Oblast challenges Russian efforts to present the region as permanently secured and gives Ukraine a foothold in an area Moscow has spent years trying to control. The longer Russia struggles to stabilize this sector, the more time Ukraine has to turn these gains into a larger offensive effort.