Ukrainian military expert Oleg Zhdanov brings an update to the frontline situation in Ukraine on 25 July 2022.

Full video: https://youtu.be/btVDEXU5ttQ

No changes except that the Belarusian forces yesterday conducted exercises at the command and communications points. This allows to them to test communication and commanding points aimed for combat activities. Generally speaking this may indicate preparation for hostilities so the situation occasionally shakes up. However, no forming of the strike groups is observed. The situation generally remains calm. One addition is that the Belarusian side leads an active reconnaissance of the Ukrainian territory, and yesterday two ORLAN UAVs were taken down in Volyn Oblast. More UAVs were observed in Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Chernovtsi Oblasts however this was later refuted, apparently it was the ISS that demonstrated radiation. It might be seen again during the next four days. Another thing to add is that Belarus has purchased 1000 plastic bodybags, similarly to what Russia bought before the start of the operation. The danger of missile strikes remains.

Russian missile and artillery shelling resulting in dead and wounded.

Defensive fights, Russian troops are trying to prevent Ukrainian movement towards the Ukraine state border. Shelling along the whole line of contact. Russia sometimes carries out aviation strikes.

Shelling and aviation strikes along the whole line. No frontline movements, only positional fights. Kharkiv was shelled once again by artillery.

Shelling and decrease of combat activities. Positional fights and artillery exchanges.

Russian forces in these directions are unable to restore the same intensity of advance they had in Luhansk Oblast. For over three days they have been unable to perform offensive operations. Sloviansk group took losses, retreated and is now regrouping, attempting to accumulate vehicles and fuel.

Increased intensity – shelling, battles for Spornoye continues since yesterday – enemy was repelled and took losses, retreated to initial positions.

Attempts by the Russian forces to improve their position, in places to push away Ukrainian forces, but they are not leading active hostilities. Fuel and ammo accumulation to prepare for Siversk and Soledar advance. It is known that Russians are moving fuel in grain carriers.

Continued shelling with offensive operations at Berestovo and Semigorye that were repelled resulting in enemy retreat. Yet they continued with the assault towards Pokrovskoye.

No active hostilities, only positional battles and artillery exchanges. Aviation was not used.

Defensive fights on the Russian side, with attempts to prevent the movement of Ukrainian forces. As of today the destruction of Russian infrastructure continues including ammo and fuel caches, air defence positions S-300 (the exact positions from where shelling of Mykolaiv is taking place).

Two ‘Kalibr’ missile carriers were observed today. No naval rocket strikes on Ukrainian positions.

In the past 24 hours two Russian Su-25 planes and one Ka-52 helicopters were destroyed by the 25th paratrooper brigade.

Kharkiv was attacked, and so was Odesa Oblast near Zatoka, and also near a bridge over Zatoka. Also Mykolaiv with 18 missiles, including six X-59 “Ovod” missile. Also, S-300 ground to ground strikes in Mykolaiv.

Ukraine continues destruction of military infrastructure of the Russian forces with now over 50 ammo caches burned by HIMARS or similar systems.

Positive news – Germany transferred MLRS Mars II which are identical to M270 as they are produced on license. This happened on a very short notice. Also transferred to Ukraine are three PhZ-2000 howitzers, and also three Gepard air defence systems out of 15 promised.

In general, the frontline is stable, especially in the East. All assault operations by the Russian forces are resisted. In the south of Ukraine – asymmetrical war, a counter-offensive but in its modern format, not direct armoured attacks. Instead, it is a combined offensive mainly characterised by bleeding of the enemy.