Russian forces seize key towns in Ukraine, escalating tensions

The DeepState group has updated the war map of Ukraine, revealing that Russian forces have taken control over several towns in the Kharkiv region. Near the village of Starytsia, a "massive gathering of Russians was noted." Analysts warn that "the situation could become exceptionally critical."

Shortly before midnight ET on Saturday, DeepState analysts reported a significant presence near Starytsia in the Kharkiv region, with about 100 Russians detected. "This afternoon, more than a hundred soldiers organized into columns before they stormed the village. This activity confirms that the enemy is conducting a full-scale operation," we learn from the report.

In the territory controlled by Russian forces, the villages of Striletska, Krasne, Pletnevka, Borysivka, Pylna, and Hatysche have been identified.

The conflict also encompasses the villages of Morokhovets, Olynikove, and Lukyanov.

According to DeepState, "the situation continues to worsen." "The enemy is gradually deploying more significant forces into our territory, with infantry constantly entering, forming attacking groups in populated areas to secure positions, resupply, and advance. Support includes a small amount of equipment, artillery, aviation, and notably high drone activity," reads the statement published early Sunday at 1 a.m. ET.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are striving to halt the Russian advance, as President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted in his speech on Saturday evening.

"Although the main goal of the enemy is to distract from other fronts, without the deployment of reserves, the situation could become exceptionally critical. The enemy is aware of this, prompting the Defense Forces to increasingly commit to this region," DeepState reports.

The fighting unit "Ostre Kartuzy," part of the National Guard of Ukraine, confirms that heavy fighting is ongoing in the region. "Due to the intense Russian pressure, our defenders were forced to withdraw from certain positions," states the report published on Telegram on Saturday evening.

More than 2,500 civilians have been evacuated from towns near the border.

DeepStateMap.Live is an interactive, online intelligence map with open-source coding, that depicts the military activities of the Russian and Ukrainian armies during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Approximately 100 people contribute to its daily updates, making it the leading informational map concerning the front-line situation.