The Russian occupants continue their assault on Severodonetsk and simultaneously try to cut off the land supply routes that supply the neighboring town of Lisichansk.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports this.

ISW analysts draw attention to the words of Valeriy Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of the AFU, that the Russians are simultaneously attacking in nine directions.

In addition, the report notes a statement made by the deputy head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff, Aleksey Gromov, about the change in the Russian tactics: they now use small assault groups instead of full battalion and tactical groups.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces have probably resumed a counteroffensive operation west and northwest of Izyum. ISW analysts estimate that it may be aimed at the ground supply routes used by the Russians to supply the occupying forces near Izyum and Liman.

The report also says that the explosion in Chornobaivka, which killed civilians, could have been carried out by the Russians in order to turn the local population against the AFU.

It is noted that the Russians may be staging false-flag attacks near Kherson in order to prevent the population from supporting Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.

As a reminder, according to ISW, Ukrainian resistance in the temporarily occupied territories and the threat of a naval blockade in the south are hampering Russia's annexation plans.