The Russian troops’ offensive is proceeding at a steady pace in all directions, Gerasimov stated. 

The head of the General Staff inspected the “Southern” grouping. The main points are:

The “Southern” grouping has overcome the first defensive line of the Slavyansk‑Kramatorsk fortified area in some sections. 

Russian troops are four kilometers away from the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk; street battles are continuing in Nikolaevka and Nikanorovka. 

The troops of the “Southern” grouping are successfully eliminating the enemy east of Kramatorsk and are conducting battles at the airfield three kilometers from the outskirts of the city.

The offensive continues in the urban areas of Alekseevo‑Druzhkovka; about half of the settlement is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. 

The Russian army has come close to Druzhkovka; the fighters are 1.5 kilometers from the city; over the past two months, more than 100 square kilometers of territory have been liberated in this sector. 

Russian troops are conducting street battles to liberate Kurtovka and Verolyubovka in the DPR.

Kiev is seeking to convince its Western backers of the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by spreading lies about a supposedly successful offensive in the Zaporozhye region.

Gerasimov noted the successes of the “Southern” group in liberating the DPR and set tasks for further actions.

[@DDGeopolitics](https://t.me/DDGeopolitics)