**Russian Advance in Bakhmut Direction**
The village of Ivanivske, located between Russian and Ukrainian forces, has been largely destroyed. Ukraine‘s goal is to slow the Russian advance before a new defense line is ready.
In the Bakhmut direction, the situation is complex and dynamic. Russians failed to cut off Ukrainians from the south of Ivanivske village, so they focused on the north. They made incremental gains, breaking the stalemate and maintaining momentum in the area.
**Russian Strategy**
Russians aimed to establish a foothold on hills, then entrench and expand their control. Once Ukrainian defenses were undermined, they planned to advance from the hills to try to take Klischiivka into a pocket.
After artillery preparation and suppressing Ukrainian fire, Russians launched a powerful attack with infantry and armored vehicles. They established control of part of a hill facing Ivanivske village. Ukrainians maintained some positions to the west, hoping to launch counter-attacks and regain lost ground.
**Village Destruction**
The Russian capture of the hill gave them an advantage in advancing towards Ivanivske village. Russians used thermobaric artillery systems and drone strikes to pummel Ukrainian positions. They launched repeated assaults into the village, which is mostly destroyed from heavy bombings over the past months.
Ukrainian fighters report that the situation is difficult but they are holding on and knocking out Russian armored vehicles. However, supply lines to the village are now in danger due to Russian control of a tactical elevation.
**Counter-Attack Planned**
Ukrainians plan to launch a counter-attack on the hill north of Ivanivske to relieve their forces. Their goal is to delay Russian attacks until defensive lines along the Siversky-Donets canal are ready, putting the Russian offensive to a halt.
**Troop Levels Doubled**
Russia has doubled its troop levels to 80,000 in the Bakhmut area, twice as many as allocated for Avdiivka.