Russia's offensive in Luhansk direction may end in AFU counterattack — ISW

This was stated in the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report. 

Analysts note geolocated combat footage has confirmed Russian gains in the northwest of Svatove. Russian military command appears to have fully committed elements of several conventional divisions to decisive offensive operations along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

“Elements of several regiments of the 144th and 3rd Motor Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army, Western Military District) and a regiment of the 90th Tank Division (Central Military District), supported by elements of the 76th Airborne Division and unspecified Southern Military District elements, are conducting offensive operations along the entire Svatove-Kreminna line and are reportedly advancing against Ukrainian defenses,” the report says.

ISW informs that the relevant facts indicate that the next major Russian offensive has begun, while Ukrainian forces are preventing the enemy from securing significant gains.

Specialists explain that now Russians in the Luhansk region are trying to regain the initiative. This could lead to an eventual culmination along the Svatove-Kreminna line, even before the Russian forces succeed in achieving their objectives of capturing the entire Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

"That culmination would likely provide a window of opportunity for Ukrainian forces to exploit with their own counteroffensive," the report concluded.

• The head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai reported that the maximum escalation is currently being recorded in the Luhansk region; the Russians are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense line