Russian forces create ‘third line of defence’ in occupied South Ukraine, prepare for protracted conflict 

The Russian forces are creating a “third line of defence” in the occupied Ukrainian South and are preparing for protracted conflict. They are “digging in to repel likely anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensives,” according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War. 

The Russian forces have made steady, incremental gains in heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past several days, though Ukrainian defences remain effective overall. Russia has also attempted to advance southeast of Izyum, although unsuccessfully. They continue steady advances around Sievierodonetsk and likely seek to completely encircle the Sievierodonetsk-Lysychansk area in the coming days. Moreover, Russia continues to make persistent advances south and west of Popasna toward Bakhmut, but their pace of advance will likely slow as they approach the town itself, says the ISW.

The Russian forces heavily shelled areas of Zaporizhia Oblast and strengthened their grouping of forces around Vasylivka and Polohy to renew offensives in the directions of Kamyanske, Orikhiv, and Huliapole on 26 May. 

Five people were killed by the Russian shelling in Sievierodonetsk and Komyshuvakha on 26 May, says Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region.A total of 50 buildings were damaged in yesterday’s shelling. The local authorities report Russian shelling almost every day.