In the Kupyansk/Svatove area, Ukraine performed a few minor attacks and both sides fired some artillery. Ukrainian artillery focused on the northern side, Russian on the southern side.
Of note in this area, Popivka (near Svatove, too small to have a name at this level of zoom) has taken heavy damage from Ukrainian (and Russian) shelling. Locals fled the town, and report large Russian losses. Several dozen dead.
In the Kupyansk area, Ukraine is attacking Kuzemivka (1). However, to my knowledge, their attacks to date have failed.
However, Ukraine has “advanced to” Dzherelne (2). I am not entirely sure what this means. Maybe Ukraine is actively attacking, possibly the town is contested, or perhaps it is liberated. Regardless, Russia seems rather upset about Ukraine being near this town.
Near Kupyansk, Ukraine is applying pressure east toward Svatove. In particular, over the past few days, Ukraine attacked Kuzemivka with ground forces and aviation (1). Russia is shelling the area around the town from Svatove, which is around 15km southeast.
In the Lyman area, Ukraine is attacking east toward the P66 highway between Svatove and Kreminna (2,3,4,5). Yesterday Ukraine secured Karmazynivka (2) and Nevske (4). Locals report heavy fighting near the town of Chervonopopivka (5). Civilians are leaving Kreminna (A).
First, this part makes me physically uncomfortable because it goes against info I have from **all** of my sources, both Russian and Ukrainian, but it is hard to argue with the satellite images: This whole area east of Makiivka is a big question mark.
Ukraine posted a video destroying Russian equipment in this area, and the satellite images show it had to have happened after October 19th.
The Russians want people to believe the situation in Bakhmut is hopeless for Ukraine, or that everything is falling apart and the city is on the verge of falling. This is all propaganda.
The reality is that, yes, the situation is difficult. The fighting is tough. There are many casualties. There are artillery strikes, missile strikes, aviation, etc. But the defense is holding. Supplies are going in and out. The wounded get evacuated, etc.
Russia attacks Bakhmut, but Ukraine counter attacks. Take note that Russia now claims they *lost* ground in the southeast of Bakhmut. Look at Soledar, the counter attack was so successful it drove Russia almost entirely out of the town.