Daily Tactical Update (DTU), Ukrainian TVD Day 1068

Operational Overview: After a year of stagnant combat operations, the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division finally made a notable breakthrough in OTU Lyman’s defensive positions by launching a successful assault across the Zherebets River, capturing the village of Ivanivka and the elevated areas on the west bank of the Lymanskyi Reservoir by January 6. Simultaneously, the division intensified its attempts to take control of the village of Terny along the O-0528 Road north of Torske. To the north, the 3d Motorized Rifle Division gradually expanded its bridgehead across the Zherebets River in the Makiivka vicinity. To the south, the 67th Motorized Rifle Division sought to advance towards Torske but was unsuccessful. The 63rd Mechanized Brigade utilized its local advantage in FPVs and artillery to deal heavy losses to Russian armored assault units moving west on the O-130501 Road, all while preserving its limited infantry resources.

Makiivka Area: The 3rd Motorized Rifle Division continues to be involved in positional skirmishes with Ukrainian troops along the Zherebets River. Russian military sources report minor advances of approximately 1 km west of Makiivka, establishing defensive positions in the wooded region just west of the settlement near Hill 185.3.

Ivanivka Salient: On January 6, the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division launched an offensive and took control of Ivanivka on the Lymanskyi Reservoir's left bank. Russian forces rapidly capitalized on their tactical leverage and progressed towards Kolosyzai, overcoming lightly defended ZSU fortifications before Ukrainian forces could respond. While the initial Russian attempt did not capture Kolosyzai, the 144GMRD has consistently broadened the Ivanivka Salient. Reports indicate that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance units were active in Kolosyzai by January 20. Ukrainian counterattacks have not managed to dismantle the Ivanivka Salient. Russian forces are said to have reached Bilohorivka, south of Ivanivka.

Terny Area: Terny remains contested, and most of the area is under Russian control. However, Ukrainian resistance persists. The 254th Motorized Rifle Regiment, supported by the 1428th Motorized Rifle Regiment, continues its attempt to break ZSU defenses south of the village and advance on Yampolivka. Ukrainian sources confirmed the fall of Terny on January 21, stating that ZSU troops were stabilizing the defensive lines between Terny and Yampolivka.

Torske Area: The 63rd Mechanized Brigade, responsible for the defense of the Torske area, has successfully fended off assaults from units of the 67th Motorized Rifle Division. FPVs and artillery munitions are available in adequate amounts in this section of the front, enabling Ukrainian forces to confront Russian armored units from a distance without risking their limited infantry resources.

It is likely that OSV Zapad aims for the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army to establish a positional advantage on the west bank of the Zherebets River, intending to outflank ZSU defenses along the Lymanskyi Reservoir from the north and advance to the higher ground overlooking the Lymanskyi Reservoir from the west. This area features only light fortifications, making it suitable for a large mechanized offensive southwest towards Drobysheve (9km northwest of Lyman and beyond the fortification perimeter of that town).

The ZSU must retain control of this section of the Donbas SD to thwart the capture of the Slovyansk-Kramatosk urban area, which represents a crucial strategic point on the Donbas front. Maintaining the line here also complicates Russian efforts to seize the Oskil River and jeopardizes its viability as an international border. At the same time, regaining control over the Zherebets River line hampers OSV Yug's ability to launch attacks through Siverskand assault the Slovyansk-Kramatosk urban area from the east. Even if the Russians manage to break out from the IvanivkaSalient, advancing further is unlikely without new reinforcements.

This open-source operational summary of the Lyman OD is based on information from the ZSU and VSRF daily operations briefs, various Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels, Western intelligence agencies' public statements, military analysts, and my own professional experience. Any errors in the information and translation presented here are strictly my own, and they will be corrected in the following update.