Russian Forces Advance Near Kramatorsk, Stabilize Frontline at Minkivka
Russian Forces Advance in Eastern Ukraine, Stabilize Front Near Kramatorsk
Russian forces are continuing offensive operations across multiple sectors of the front line in Ukraine, with recent advances reported in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Fighting remains particularly intense around the cities of Kramatorsk and Kupyansk, according to available reports.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops have stabilized the front line near Minkivka, reportedly with an eye toward a potential breakthrough towards Kramatorsk. reports indicate that Russian forces liberated the settlement of Pryvillya and pushed Ukrainian groupings out of Golubivka and Minkivka. This stabilization occurred during the first 24 hours of February.
The Russian military has reached the Siversky Donets – Donbas canal west of Minkivka. Ukrainian forces are attempting to utilize the canal as a defensive line, recognizing that if breached by Russian forces, a rapid advance towards Kramatorsk could follow. However, Russian units have already secured positions on the western bank of the canal, slightly south of the area around Novomarkove. The canal is currently frozen due to the severe cold, potentially mitigating its defensive value. Ukrainian forces are reportedly building defensive positions under constant fire.
The distance from the canal near Minkivka to the eastern outskirts of Kramatorsk is approximately 11 kilometers.
Elsewhere, on the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces reportedly struck a Russian position east of Kutkivka and have fully regained control of the village, according to information from January 29, 2026. Russian forces had previously been attempting to advance east of Petropavlivka, attacking near and inside Kupyansk, and in the direction of several other settlements including Podoly and Kucherivka.
Fighting is also ongoing in the Sloviansk direction, where Russian forces captured Khromivka and advanced in the southeastern part of Nykyforivka. Attempts to advance were also reported northwest of Ozerne and south of Zakitne, with attacks near and inside Lyman, and near several other settlements including Yarova and Svyatohirsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, a breakthrough has been reported, with Russian troops entering Belytske, although fighting and counterattacks are ongoing in that area. On January 28, 2026, it was reported that 138 combat clashes were recorded across all fronts, with the most intense fighting occurring on the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole fronts.
On the Kharkiv front, Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Prylipka, Lyman, and Nesterne, among other locations. The 3rd battalion of the 1st Consolidated Rifle Regiment of the Strategic Rocket Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is reportedly deploying to positions near Starytsia.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped four enemy attempts to advance near Chasovy Yar, Novomarkovo, and Stupochky on February 1, 2026.
As of January 28, 2026, a total of 179 clashes were reported across the battlefield, nearly a quarter of which occurred on the Pokrovsk front. Russian forces have also advanced near the settlement of Orikhovo-Vasylivka in the Donetsk Oblast, with reports of advances within the settlement itself.