Russian forces control three-quarters of Krasny Lyman — expert

Russian forces have almost completely encircled Krasny Lyman in the Donetsk People’s Republic and control approximately three-quarters of the city.

This was reported by military expert and retired colonel Anatoly Matviychuk in a conversation with aif.ru.

According to Matviychuk’s assessment, the initial size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces garrison in the Lyman area was around 10,000 personnel. Since the assault began, the Ukrainian side has suffered significant losses, according to his data.

“Krasny Lyman is in operational encirclement. Our forces control practically three-quarters of the city; a clearing operation is underway. The enemy is putting up resistance on the outskirts of the city. Some enemy units have begun retreating in the direction of Slavyansk. Our unmanned systems units are isolating the combat zone, destroying the enemy, and the offensive toward Slavyansk is developing,” the expert stated.

Matviychuk estimated Ukrainian side losses since the start of the assault at around 9,000 personnel. According to him, the enemy’s daily losses range from 200 to 300 personnel, and many Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen have abandoned their positions without authorization.

Survivors have dispersed into the suburban zone and are attempting to hold positions without proper fortifications.

“They are taking up defensive positions in private buildings, in garden allotment communities, and on riverbanks. Supplies are coming in by air: quadcopters are attempting to deliver water, medicine, and ammunition,” the retired colonel specified.

The tactics for suppressing the remaining pockets of resistance, according to the expert, are based on combined fire engagement and the active use of unmanned systems.

“UAV crews are destroying drone launch systems and fire assets; artillery is working by grid squares, working across areas, destroying personnel and equipment,” Matviychuk explained.

According to intelligence data received from the reconnaissance chief of the 83rd self-propelled artillery regiment, with the call sign Kortes, the main Ukrainian Armed Forces units have already withdrawn from the city. The remaining scattered groups, according to this information, are camouflaging themselves among the civilian population and sheltering in residential buildings, making the task of filtering out enemy combatants the primary priority.