Sept. 16–26 live war map: Lyman and Siversk on brink of occupation, Russian troops to advance on Slovyansk

Kupiansk — is there life after the pipe?

On the one hand, Russian forces that came out of a pipe near Radkivka continue to push deeper into Kupiansk, occupying apartment blocks in hopes of holding out until reinforcements arrive. At the same time they have expanded their control in Kindrashivka and are trying to move from Myrne toward Sobolivka to secure the local woods west of the city. The occupiers also stepped up pressure on the left bank of the Oskil and advanced about 3.5 km north of Stepova Novoselivka, where our troops continue to hold the line.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

From the other side, the Defense Forces are not hurrying to abandon the bridgehead on the left bank — so things are not all bad. Here, the Russian advance has had limited success. Their main effort focused on advancing along the right bank, but after cutting off the exit from the pipe they found themselves in a difficult situation — resupply is not arriving fast enough. The entire 40-kilometre bridgehead on the right bank can be severed at any point, since its maximum width is just over 3 km. It is already known that elements of the 3rd assault brigade have been sent here to eliminate the acute threat to Kupiansk; their task will be to cut logistics completely. Once that happens, the assault groups in the city will not be able to keep “playing hide-and-seek” for long. The threat to Kupiansk should be eliminated now, before it’s too late.

Lyman and Siversk brace for defense

The situation on this front is critical and worsening each week. While Ukraine’s Armed Forces are trying to eliminate Russian units that crossed the Netrius River and are attempting to consolidate in Serednie, the enemy has made significant advances around Shandryholove, where they have also created conditions to cross to the right bank. After failing to do so further north near Karpivka, the area around Serednie and Shandryholove now offers Russian forces a favorable position to finally establish themselves on the right bank and launch an offensive on Novoselivka, shortening their logistics toward Lyman. In that case, the fall of Lyman would be almost inevitable.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

Meanwhile, the Defense Forces have not yet been able to hold a defensive line along another river — the Chornyi Zherebets. Russian forces have not only reentered the central part of Zarichne but also crossed the river both north and south of the village. Fighting continues there, which could open a direct road for the occupiers to advance on Lyman from the east.

Further south, Russian troops have almost completely forced Ukrainian units out of the Serebrianskyi forest and are pushing toward Yampil and Dronivka. Vanguard battles are already underway on the northern outskirts of Yampil.

The bridge over the Siverskyi Donets in Dronivka is a strategic asset for Siversk’s defense. In 2022, it allowed the city to hold out. This time, the Russians are attacking not only along both riverbanks — where they have already seized Hryhorivka and are storming Serebrianka — but are also trying to break through toward the bridge past Siversk’s defenders. Russian assault groups have already been spotted less than two kilometers from the bridge.

Both Lyman and Siversk are now in a very difficult position and are priority targets for Russia’s next offensive campaign. Capturing them would open the way to Slovyansk’s approaches. According to Moscow’s plan, fighting for Kostyantynivka should unfold around the same time. Effectively, Russia wants to prepare by spring for the occupation of the entire Donetsk region.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

From Toretsk to Kostyantynivka

In August, this sector of the front stagnated with minimal assaults. Russia concentrated efforts near Dobropillia, but after setbacks there, the enemy returned to its previous tactics and renewed attempts to advance on Kostyantynivka from the southeast. Over the week, Russian forces took several tree lines and entrenched themselves on the southern outskirts of Katerynivka. However, they made no progress either on the right flank near Yablunivka or on the left near Kleban-Byk. Their only limited success was expanding the combat zone toward Pleshchiivka, but they failed to hold positions there.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

Dobropillia swings and Pokrovsk holding

Although reports from the Dobropillia front sometimes speak of encircling Russian troops in three locations, the picture is less optimistic. While several local encirclements north and south of Shakhove exist, the Russians keep sending reinforcements and trying to break out. Ukrainian forces are pressing from Zapovitne (formerly Nikanorivka) toward Mayak, but the enemy counters in the same direction. The occupiers continue to reinforce their units here in order to push on Rodynske. They have already expanded control in Novoekonomichne, disrupting Ukraine’s push from the south toward Razine along the Kazennyi Torets River. Still, Ukraine retains the possibility of fully encircling those Russian troops who broke through toward Dobropillia. At present, a systematic effort to destroy them is underway. The question is who will move faster: Ukraine to close and clear the pocket, or Russia to break it with reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Russian forces attempted to break through toward Pokrovsk via Zvirove and to nearby villages Troyanda and Leontovychi. They cannot be rooted out, but neither have they entrenched. Ukraine also repelled an enemy push toward Chunyshyne.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

Novopavlivka – another attempt to cross the Vovcha River

For more than a month, Russians have been unable to advance on the Novopavlivka front, where the Vovcha River has become the new dividing line. After failed crossings near Dachne, they shifted focus to the outskirts of Filiia, where they are now concentrating forces in nearby forests.

They eventually managed to cross the river and establish a foothold on several streets in Ivanivka, where heavy battles are underway to prevent further expansion. If the enemy succeeds, Ukraine’s outpost in Novopavlivka could soon be forced into all-round defense, and the entire front may have to seek new defensive lines.

At the same time, Russian forces are pressing along the left bank of the Vovcha, seizing ground north of Novokhatske and returning to the streets of Zelenyi Hai, from which they had recently been expelled.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions – crisis deepens

The worst sections of the front remain at the junction of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Here, Russian forces continue steady daily advances westward, while Ukraine’s defenders struggle to stabilize the line. Ukrainian troops have almost fully withdrawn from Donetsk region, while Russian units have penetrated up to 10 km into neighboring oblasts. In Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian forces broke through north of Berezove, creating a threat of encircling Ukrainian defenders in Ternove. They also captured Novomykolaivka and entered Kalynivske after heavy fighting. Further north, Ukrainian troops have been holding the line in Sosnivka and Novoselivka, which Russia captured hastily while awaiting reinforcements. However, it seems Moscow is now sending most of its reserves to Dobropillia and Pokrovsk.

At present, Russia controls seven villages in Dnipropetrovsk region — Sichneve, Maliivka, Vorone, Novoheorhiivka, Zaporizke, Khoroshe, and Novomykolaivka — while fighting continues for another seven.

Sept. 16–26 Russia-Ukraine war map, photo: Espreso

In Zaporizhzhia, the situation worsened on the Hulyaipole axis, where Russian forces broke through 8 km from Temyrivka to Novoivanivka and occupied the village. Between Poltavka and Olhivske, Ukrainian troops failed to halt Russian assaults that lasted throughout September. The enemy advanced up to 3 km deep and is moving to level the front along a 10 km stretch from Novoivanivka to Malynivka. Continued unchecked progress here poses a serious risk of collapse for the entire Hulyaipole sector in Zaporizhzhia.

The maps have been created based on information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other open and verified sources. However, the maps are not fully accurate and are only meant to reflect trends in the combat zones.