Ukrainian forces in Nikolayevka risk encirclement, says Marochko

Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed in Nikolayevka near Slavyansk risk being encircled following the loss of control over Piskunovka and Russian advances along several sectors.

This was reported to TASS by military expert Andrei Marochko.

According to Marochko, Russian servicemen have advanced in a north-westerly direction from Rai-Alexandrovka, while from Piskunovka they are beginning to close the line of contact, steadily moving in a south-westerly direction. Simultaneously, an advance is under way from Kaleniki, which was liberated earlier.

“Our servicemen have advanced quite significantly from Rai-Alexandrovka in a north-westerly direction, and from Piskunovka our servicemen are beginning to close the line of contact in this area, steadily advancing in a south-westerly direction. There is also a steady advance from the settlement of Kaleniki, which was liberated earlier. So right now the Ukrainian grouping located in Nikolayevka can essentially find itself encircled. If our servicemen continue to advance on these two sectors, we will bypass all of the enemy’s fortified defensive structures and move into their rear,” — he said.

Marochko had previously told TASS that around 100 Ukrainian soldiers remained trapped on a wide section of the front near Piskunovka in the DPR.

On July 2, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that units of the Southern grouping of forces had liberated the settlement of Piskunovka in the DPR.