Russian forces are trying to slip through Ukrainian lines and cross the Siverskyi Donets River in rubber boats near the village of Dronivka, as clashes escalate in the area, Ukraine’s 81st Separate Airmobile Slobozhanskyi Brigade said in a Facebook post.
According to the 81st Brigade, Russian commanders are building up reserves near Siversk and in the Serebrianske forestry as they seek to seize Dronivka. Small infantry groups are attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian positions, and troops have tried to ford the Siverskyi Donets in rubber boats near Dronivka and Platonivka to mass forces behind Ukrainian lines and launch attacks.
The brigade said Russian units have been ordered not only to capture Dronivka, but also to push toward Zakotne and Kryva Luka—both in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region—while Dronivka lies in Bakhmut district. High ground near Zakotne and Kryva Luka is the target, the brigade said, terrain Russian forces aim to use to shell Sloviansk and Lyman.
Dronivka sits on the Sloviansk sector of the front. Ukraine’s General Staff said that on January 16 Russian troops attacked twice on this axis, and all assaults were repelled, with fighting recorded near Dronivka.
Ukraine’s “East” (Vostok) grouping of forces said heavy fighting is ongoing for Zakotne, a small village in Kramatorsk district that had about 500 residents before the war. Russian troops are attempting to advance on the settlement, but Ukrainian forces are holding their positions, the grouping said.
