Due to recent advances, Russian forces have now established control over large parts of the tactical ridgeline between the Bakhmut-Siversk line and the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka line, putting the last 3 cities of this so-called "fortress belt" at major risk.

With the battle for Kostyantynivka now in its final stages, Russia is developing an offensive in arguably the most crucial part of the entire frontline. Once they are able to capture the entirety of this ridgeline, all of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk will be within range of barrel artillery, and the battles for the cities will effectively start. This, combined with a push from Kostyantynivka and even the Dobropillya area, will be a major setback for Ukraine, and could mark the beginning of the end for these last Donbas cities.

Right now, special attention is being made by the Russian command on clearing the remaining heavily fortified Ukrainian positions between Siversk and Slovyansk, in order to complete their goal of capturing this crucial line of tactical heights. This will allow Russia to bring forward drone operators, barrel artillery, and MLRS to within range of new areas, and allow for deep DRG infiltrations, possibly as far as the eastern outskirts of Slovyansk-Kramatorsk itself.

At the same time, the fall of Kostyantynivka and the beginning of battles for Oleksijevo-Druzhkivka will pose a major threat to Druzhkivka, as the near-continuous and unbroken line of urban areas stretching from Kostyantynivka to Druzhkivka, and even to Kramatorsk, provides cover for additional deep Russian infiltrations.

As of now, forward Russian assault groups are just 5.5 km from the Kramatorsk Airport on the eastern outskirts of the city. The situation is critical, and without counterattacks, it will continue to massively worsen over the coming weeks and months.

These same people will then go on to claim to support Ukraine.

I wonder how the Ukrainian soldiers fighting would feel about the most important part of the frontline being labelled as a "piece of shit rubble"? What about the civilians still living there?

The IRGC launched 3 anti-ship cruise missiles at an "enemy ship" in the Indian Sea yesterday.

Around the same time, the UKMTO reported that a merchant vessel was subject to "military interaction" in the Indian Ocean, 100 Nautical Miles east of Duqm, Oman.

It is unclear if this was the same ship.

New Sentinel-2 satellite imagery reveals several burn marks at the U.S. Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar following recent Iranian ballistic missile and drone strikes.

These buildings are likely used for storing munitions. Due to repeated Iranian attacks, the majority of the U.S. aircraft stationed at Al-Udeid, including aerial refuelers, have been evacuated.

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New Sentinel-2 satellite imagery reveals that a satellite communications dish was struck by an Iranian missile/drone at the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Base in Bahrain.

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New Sentinel-2 satellite imagery reveals that two Iranian missiles/drones impacted Sheikh Isa Airbase in Bahrain, with one striking what appears to be a warehouse.

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New Sentinel-2 satellite imagery reveals that an Iranian ballistic missile completely destroyed a U.S. aircraft hangar at the Muwaffaq al-Salti Airbase in Jordan.

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The Iranian Army announced targeting U.S. military infrastructure in Bahrain using Arash-2 drones.

The drones reportedly targeted U.S. aircraft hangars and parking areas, as well as fuel storage facilities at Sheikh Isa Airbase, as well as communications systems in other parts of Bahrain.

The IRGC announced targeting the U.S. Camp Arifjan Base and Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait, in response to earlier U.S. airstrikes on Iran.

They claim that the missile strikes on Camp Arifjan targeted a support centre for ground forces, killing a number of U.S. soldiers. They also claim that drone and missile strikes on Ali Al Salem Airbase destroyed a radar installation, a weapons maintenance hangar, and a drone storage facility.