@clement_molin
In the Sloviansk direction, Russia 🇷🇺 launched 800 airstrikes this month in two directions, preparing the terrain for a larger offensive.

At the same time, Ukraine's third Azov Corps launched the first counter-attacks to cut the Lyman salient.

🧵THREAD🧵1/16 ⬇️
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAjUv-XcAE6fug.jpg
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@clement_molin
Few days ago, I posted an update on the Oskil front situation, depicting the most important assault roads used by russian troops.

On this update, you could see two ukrainian drone strikes located by @giK1893 in Pryshyb and Tetianivka, behind the Donets river.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAkvR9XoAAQ6Pt.jpg
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@clement_molin
This river is very important, it was the main ukrainian defensive line in the region in 2022, it's covered by massive forests and directly protecting cities like Izium or Sloviansk.

For 3 years, the russians are trying to reach it, behind the town of Lyman.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAl2q_XcAAhNli.jpg
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@clement_molin
On this direction, Russia aims at cutting the strategic Izium (Kharkiv) - Sloviansk road, while avoiding direct fighting inside Lyman

They are thus attacking east along the Donets and north across the Donets. (map base from @M0nstas). Look also all the tree cover in the region !
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAnB6YXUAAgqzO.jpg
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@clement_molin
Behind the river, Ukraine dug 3 defensive lines in a north-south direction, they are currently improving the 2nd and 3rd ones.

At the same time, new fortifications are being placed around Sloviansk and Izium.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAoD5uWEAAcXRl.jpg
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@clement_molin
In fact, 4 years after the 1st Sloviansk battle, Russia wants to go back to the positions they held in summer 2022 north of Sloviansk, with this time additionnal positions east of the city.

Map from @Deepstate_UA
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAotWbXkAA-dAo.jpg
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@clement_molin
We can see here near Sviatohirsk massive impact paterns in the forests. I managed to map at least 500 (very precise, but it's easier to be precise knowing the size of the forests) strikes in the area.

Video
https://twitter.com/pic/amplify_video_thumb%2F2058191290982924288%2Fimg%2F9QdrC97q2IPk8WW3.jpg
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@clement_molin
I managed to geolocate a massive airstrike campaign (nearly exclusively this month of may) in the forests on the Izium-Sloviansk road.

This area is known for having artillery positions, as well as rear bases and logistics, hidden in the trees. This area is also used to supply Lyman.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAplWbXsAAugic.jpg
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@clement_molin
Additionnaly, I found some very recent strikes on yesterday satellite images, like this one along a key road leading to Lyman and crossing the Donets. The strike missed the road and fell in a field.

Multiple other impacts are visible around.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJAqq-PWcAIF1oN.jpg
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@clement_molin
On this other zoom, we can see a massive airstrike campaign. We should also remember this area is a high ground, very favorable to place artillery and to host drone teams.
https://twitter.com/pic/media%2FHJArID_XUAAxUvn.jpg
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