Russian forces capture Velykyi Sokolyn Island in Kherson Oblast, advances in Donetsk Oblast
The Russian army has captured Velykyi Sokolyn Island in Kherson Oblast and advanced near Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on Jan. 30.
The report states that Russian forces occupied Velykyi Sokolyn Island, located southeast of the city of Kherson. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Forces have made minor advances in Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv, while Russian troops continue assaults near Kozacha Lopan.
ISW analysts indicated Russian advance toward Chasiv Yar. Geolocated footage published on Jan. 29 confirms that they moved along Dniprovska Street in the city center.
Citing further geolocated footage, analysts noted that Russian forces gained ground in the industrial zone north of Toretsk. Russian forces also continued ground attacks in Toretsk, near Krymske and Shcherbynivka, on Jan. 29 and 30.
At the same time, Ukrainian troops advanced southwest of Pokrovsk, with geolocated footage indicating that the Ukrainian Armed Forces made small gains west of Novoandriivka. Russian military bloggers claimed that Ukrainian defenders also counterattacked near Nadiivka.
Additionally, Russian forces moved toward the eastern outskirts of Andriivka, northwest of Kurakhove. Russian sources also reported advances in southern Dachne, toward Ulakly, and southwest of Kostiantynivka, though ISW has not confirmed these claims.
Russian efforts to establish a foothold on Kherson's islands
On Dec. 25, 2024, Southern Defense Forces spokesman Vladyslav Voloshyn assured that Russian forces had not gathered sufficient assault troops and equipment to cross the Dnipro River.
On Dec. 26, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), stated that Russian forces were attempting landings on islands in Kherson Oblast but were not preparing an offensive on Kherson itself.
On Jan. 27, 2025, the Kherson's Operational-Tactical grouping spokesperson, Pavlo Drohal, reported that Russian troops continue efforts to entrench themselves in the island zones at the mouth of the Dnipro River.
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