Russia advances on the border of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, but has no tactical success – ISW.

Analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report that Russian forces have resumed their offensive in the border area between the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Although this is not part of broader offensive operations, these actions have led to some tactical successes. Between October 12-13, the Russian forces' advance led to a breakthrough in Ukrainian defense in the Levadne area. According to a Ukrainian military observer, Russian forces have already reached the outskirts of Levadne and are advancing towards Novodarivka. Russian correspondents claim that the troops have captured Levadne and moved to the southern outskirts of Novodarivka, but these reports are not confirmed.

Analyzing the situation, experts believe that recent tactical successes of the Russian forces in the front section, which had not been active for a long Time, are planned actions. The institute notes that this is possible to:

• Distract Ukraine's attention from Russia's priority offensive operations in the Donetsk region.
• Direct Ukrainian forces along the entire front in southern Ukraine to hinder their movement into the Donetsk region.

Although the Russian forces have become more active on the western bank of the Mokri Yaly River and on the outskirts of Velyka Novosilka, there is no confirmation of significant attacks in this direction or the buildup of troops for a large-scale offensive. On the contrary, part of the forces was redeployed southward to respond to the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region.

Notably, it was previously reported about the possible readiness of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease fire, subject to security guarantees from the USA and quick accession to the EU. However, Zelenskyy's advisor denied this information. Positively, international experts continue to monitor the situation on the front and analyze the actions of Russian forces.

Continuation of the offensive in the Kharkiv region

According to the Institute's report, the Russian army is most likely planning to resume its offensive in the Vovchansk area in the Kharkiv region. Recently, Russian forces have been conducting an operational encirclement along the entire front, hindering the logistics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was reported by a serviceman of the Ukrainian National Guard stationed in Selydove. This situation poses a threat to Ukrainian forces on this section of the front.