DeepState: Russian troops advance near three settlements in Ukraine

According to the group, Russian troops made gains near the village of Bezsalivka in Sumy Oblast’s Sumy district, as well as near Stupochky in Donetsk Oblast’s Kramatorsk district and Udachne in the Pokrovsk district.

DeepState reported a day earlier, on March 10, that Russian forces had also advanced near Piddubne in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine’s Khortytsia operational group of forces said on March 9 that Russian troops are preparing to intensify offensive operations around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, increasing airstrikes and bringing in additional reserves.

Earlier, on March 4, Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces warned that Russian occupation troops were planning to ramp up their offensive in early spring, concentrating efforts toward Hryshyne, northwest of Pokrovsk.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested in an assessment published on Feb. 25 that Russian forces may have captured Pokrovsk in recent weeks. However, Ukraine’s Defense Forces have not confirmed this and have not reported withdrawing from the city.