ISW: Russians might be planning to simultaneously assault Sloviansk, Kramatorsk

Russian invasion forces are possibly plotting a simultaneous offensive effort targeting the towns of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, said the Institute for the Study of War, Report informs, citing Ukrinform.

It is noted that the Russian artillery struck the area south of Barvinkove, having also shelled Nikopol and Novopavlivka, as well as a number of other settlements northwest of Sloviansk.

ISW believes this may suggest that the invaders seek to bypass Barvinkove to the east and either move toward the E40 Izium-Sloviansk highway to advance southeast toward Sloviansk or move directly southeast from Barvinkove toward Kramatorsk.

"Russian forces may be setting conditions for an eventual assault on Kramatorsk—which would run parallel to advances toward Slovyansk," analysts suggest.