January 15-22 live war map: Russian forces launch assault on last stronghold in southern Donetsk region

The Russian command, ahead of Trump’s inauguration, made a series of statements aimed at convincing the new U.S. president of Russia's inevitable victory in Ukraine. They claimed to have occupied Toretsk, nearly taken Chasiv Yar, captured the last villages in the Luhansk region, encircled Kupyansk and Borova in the Kharkiv region, advanced to the Dnipropetrovsk region, and even entered Pokrovsk. However, all of this is a massive lie and an attempt to deceive their subservient "electorate," while also exerting pressure on Western partners. Interestingly, the Russian General Staff remains notably silent about Kursk.

Final days of defense in Velyka Novosilka

After amassing resources, the Russians launched a massive offensive on Velyka Novosilka, the last defense stronghold on the southern front of the Donetsk region. Russian forces attacked from five directions, having previously prepared landing zones and encircled the city on three sides. From the south, the invading troops managed to capture the villages of Neskuchne and Vremivka, advancing north along the Mokri Yaly River to cut off Ukrainian forces' retreat route. From the north, the Russians launched a broad assault on the road leading into the city, coming close to the outskirts of Velyka Novosilka and beginning their attack. From the southeast and east, Russian troops entered the city and seized several streets.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Velyka Novosilka is strategically located between two rivers, allowing it to hold out for a long time, but the cutting off of logistics and the attempt to encircle it will prevent such defense. If reinforcements do not arrive soon to break the blockade of the roads into the city, the defense will likely collapse in the near future.

Russians struggle to resolve situation on post-Kurakhove front

After the complete occupation of Kurakhove, the Russians aimed to quickly capture Dachne and advance west along both banks of the Vovcha River towards Ukrainian fortified positions in Andriivka and Ulakly. However, the Defense Forces are holding positions in Dachne. The Ukrainian military also launched a counteroffensive, pushing Russian occupiers back from Andriivka to Shevchenko. Intense fighting has returned to this village, which the Ukrainian forces have been attacking for the second consecutive week.

Additionally, Ukraine’s defense line along the Sukhi Yaly River is holding firm. Despite the Russians capturing the village of Yantarne, which lies along the road to Dachne, the entire area north of the village of Kostyantynopolske, as well as crossing the river at the village of Sukhi Yaly, their plan to advance north of Zelenivka has failed. Here, the Ukrainian forces counterattacked, retaking part of the territory on the northern bank of the river and pushing the occupiers out of half of Zelenivka. As a result, for the time being, the Defense Forces have thwarted the Russian plan to advance on Ulakly and Kostyantynopil from the south. Meanwhile, Russian forces have made unsuccessful attempts to advance on another front—from Rozdolne to Bohatyr—to bypass Ukrainian fortifications.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

On the northern flank of the post-Kurakhove front, the Russians are advancing from Slovianka and Petropavlivka to the west to cut off the road to Andriivka and attempt to encircle the Ukrainian stronghold from the north. Over the course of a week, the Russian advance has covered 2.5 km. It is likely that by next week, the Russians will approach the northern outskirts of Andriivka or even begin to storm it.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces will eventually have to retreat from the Kurakhove salient, but for now, our rearguard actions are tying down a significant portion of Russian forces, preventing them from advancing on Pokrovsk.

In the Novopavlivka sector, between Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, Russia's movement towards the Dnipro region has significantly slowed. They have failed to break through from Novoyelyzavetivka to Nadiivka. After the full occupation of Yasenove, Russian invaders have not launched an assault on Novoandriivka, instead attempting to bypass it from the south. With no significant progress from the Russians, fighting continues on the outskirts of Uspenivka, where the Ukrainian forces are holding firm.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Russian troops push to encircle Pokrovsk

The situation around Pokrovsk is worsening day by day. This week saw a record 520 clashes, and with Russian forces amassing more troops in the area, the number is likely to rise. Meanwhile, on other sections of the front, Russian attacks have not increased, and in some areas, they have even decreased, indicating limited resources for simultaneous advances on multiple fronts.

Russian troops are attempting to advance from both the east and west of the city to encircle it. The focus of battles is concentrated in two areas: from Vozdvyzhenka to the Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka road in the east, and around the villages of Udachne and Kotlyne to the west of Pokrovsk.

Near Vozdvyzhenka, the Russians have made no significant progress but are gathering resources to launch a new offensive towards Baranivka and Yelyzavetivka, expanding the front to increase their chances of reaching the road. For similar reasons, they attacked from Tymofiivka toward the buffer zone near Vozdvyzhenka, later taking control of this territory.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

On the western flank, despite expanding their control zone between Kotlyne and Zvirove and advancing north to cut off the road to Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces are holding their defenses in both villages and preventing further Russian advances westward toward the Dnipro region. Intense fighting continues in Udachne, where the Ukrainian Defense Forces maintain advantageous positions and conduct local counterattacks. In one of these counterattacks, they pushed Russian invaders out of the village's outskirts.

Strategically, Russian forces will likely continue expanding the front to the north to reach the critical logistics route from Pokrovsk to Pavlohrad and westward toward the Dnipro region to secure their flanks. Despite loud Russian claims of fighting for Pokrovsk, their forces remain 5 km away from the city. However, sabotage groups occasionally appear within the city.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Chasiv Yar becomes new frontline

This week, Russian forces fully captured all the workshops of Chasiv Yar’s factory. However, Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully repelled them from the railway station. The situation in the city remains challenging, but Ukrainian troops still control over 40% of the territory, including strategic heights in the western part.

From the north, Russian invaders have advanced nearly to the city’s edge, soon allowing them to attack the central neighborhoods not only from the east but also from the north.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Lyman sector crisis: advancing towards Borova

Russian forces have nearly completed the capture of the village of Terny and are advancing south along both banks of the Zherebets River, expanding their control towards the villages of Kolodyazi and Yampolivka. The battle for Terny lasted nearly a year and came at a high cost for the Russians. This area is strategically vital for the occupiers as it provides a route to the city of Lyman and a potential way to bypass Sloviansk from the north. Notably, the North Korean long-range 170mm Koksan artillery system has been deployed in this sector. Meanwhile, reinforcements from the 33rd Separate Assault Brigade have arrived from the Kursk region to support the 60th Brigade in stabilizing the situation.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

In the Borova sector, Russian troops have expanded their control around the previously captured village of Lozova and entered the long-uncontrolled grey zone between the villages of Stepy and Raihorodka. Russian troops have also intensified their attacks on Nadiya, one of the last villages in the Luhansk region still under Ukrainian control.

Dvorichna bridgehead becomes increasingly dangerous

The Russian forces not only secured a foothold on the right bank of the Oskil River, but also significantly expanded this bridgehead. Over the week, the Russians greatly increased their control in Dvorichna, advancing on both flanks to the north and west, capturing three-quarters of the town. In this way, Russian invaders are trying to encircle Ukrainian forces again to force them to retreat. Additionally, Russian troops attacked the village of Zakhidne from the north and attempted to advance towards Kindrashivka, with the prospect of reaching Kupyansk.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Of course, these are still distant plans, but if the Russians capture the hilly terrain to the north of Kupyansk, they will be able to shell the city from this side as well. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are unable to stabilize the situation to prevent it from becoming truly threatening. On the other hand, if we concentrate our resources, this area could become a deadly trap for the Russians. Much like near Vovchansk, this bridgehead is likely to be used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces for dispersal and drawing Russian resources away.

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.