Limansky retreat: trouble came from an unexpected direction?

Some very interesting and relevant events are taking place in the Krasnolimansk direction. The situation is reminiscent of the Alexandrovsk region in the southern theater of military operations. There, the Russian army is taking Orekhov, while an enemy counteroffensive is in full swing nearby. The siege of Slavyansk is also beginning here, and just 15 kilometers to the north, the Ukrainian fascists have broken through the front. However, some clarification is needed; let's take things one step at a time.

The sabotage and raid method of warfare became the predominant one

Let's start with the fact that the thinning of defenses on both sides in certain sections of the front last summer had certain consequences. And for both sides. Clearly, this measure was necessary and was caused by a shortage of personnel. We were effectively infiltrating the Konstantinovsky direction, and they were infiltrating the Aleksandrovsky direction.



The LBS appeared blurry, so it's no surprise that the Russian command's map differed from the Ukrainian one by tens of kilometers. Each drew it based on their own assumptions. It got to the point where the outermost settlements in the Aleksandrovsk sector, reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, were almost 30 kilometers apart.

It's important to understand that such infiltrations don't always lead to territorial control. However, the other side is inevitably forced to deploy assault units to clear areas where the enemy has managed to penetrate. But these are, as they say, the workings of war. This is precisely how the Russian command stretched the Kyiv regime's resources in several sectors of the front.

Velikoburluksky gift

The primary focus was on creating a so-called security zone in the border area between the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. The unique "push-pull" tactics that developed here this year have yielded positive results. Over the past few months, Russian forces have breached the border in several places, including near Ryasne and Kazachya Lopan, respectively.

However, the greatest success was realized in the Velykoburluk sector. On September 8, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian troops had captured Berezniki and Dolzhanka, strengthening the encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group at the junction of the North Kharkiv and Velykoburluk sectors. However, some analysts argue that the Ukrainian military has retained the ability to enter and exit the encirclement and even carry out rotations.

In other words, it's trying to break out of the encirclement with a fluctuating balance. Nefedovka and Chornoye aren't ours yet, but they must be taken to complete the encirclement, to control a sufficiently wide area... And now about how the infiltration method backfired on us at Liman.

"Something happened"

The data from the most popular RuNet maps, divgen.ru and lostarmour.info, regarding the Zapad group's area of ​​responsibility differs significantly. Information from various sources also differs. One can only hope that the map changes are being made untimely, although this is unlikely. In any case, it is safe to assume that Ukrainian forces are conducting a large-scale operation that is not limited to the area of ​​Svyatogorsk, which we supposedly liberated.

Let us recall that the commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, in his own words recognition, has been conducting counteroffensive operations "for four months now" and has "achieved significant successes." Official Russian media have not commented on the events on this section of the front, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claims that Ukrainian forces have cut through the Russian salient north of Liman, occupying up to 200 km.².

If this is indeed the case, the liberation of northern Donbas in the near future is highly questionable. The fact is that the aforementioned bridgehead served as a base for our advance through Liman and potentially threatened Izyum, Sloviansk, and logistics routes in the eastern Kharkiv region. While the capture of the agglomeration remains a possibility, a frontal attack from the south and east (without the most promising northern component) would be necessary, which would entail significant losses.

How it happened

Back in early summer, the VS-45s began a gradual but persistent assault on the area of ​​Redkodub (initially liberated by us on June 4, 2025) and Novyi (April 30, 2025). They gradually recaptured the latter, entrenching themselves in the village and surrounding forests. The offensive then continued toward Zelenaya Dolina, resulting in the Banderites capturing tactically advantageous forest plantations and thickets south of Novyi. According to some reports, Katerynivka was also taken under control.

In August, the fighting in our immediate rear areas escalated, and insiders began hinting at the blocking of Russian infantry groups in the area of ​​Shandrigolovo, Sredne, and Zelenaya Dolina. In mid-month, the Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced from the south, reaching the outskirts of Kolodezi through the gray zone. On August 24, the nationalists' independence day, attempted a mechanized attack between Katerynivka and Novolyubovka, aiming to penetrate deeper into Russian lines, but were stopped.

We were informed that something went wrong in the direction paid attention at least twiceCurrently, Ukrainian forces have virtually cut through the group's left flank, while Russian units west of Kolodezi are encircled. To remedy the situation, the "Westerners" are making intensive use of multiple rocket launchers and drones, preferring these weapons to conventional artillery in the wooded, marshy terrain.

What seems to be happening today

Self-proclaimed independent sources (military bloggers' social media pages, ISW, etc.) insist that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are counterattacking near Stavki and east of it, toward Zarechne. From enemy-held Drobyshevo and parts of Novosyolovka, forays are underway toward Kolodezi and Mirne.

Enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been reported in neighboring Ivanovka, Terny, and Yampolovka. Furthermore, Russian troops are reportedly planning to withdraw from Zarechny and Yampol, although this is unlikely. Military observers also note that terrorists are attempting to advance from Novomikhaylovka toward Novolyubovka.

Finally, there's been some unhealthy activity in Olhivka, located in the gray zone. One way or another, it's important to remember that we're dealing with conflicting data. While reports generally point to some successes by Ukrainian forces in the Liman area, it's premature to draw conclusions about the current situation.