ISW: The occupiers are intensifying in the east, positional battles are taking place in most directions

East of Ukraine. Operation No. 1 - Luhansk region

On 14 March, positional fighting continued on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. No changes to the front line in this area have been confirmed. Sources reported fighting north-east of Kupiansk near Synkivka; north-west of Svatove near Stelmakhivka and Tabaivka; west of Svatove near Pershotravneve; west of Kreminna near Terny and Yampolivka; and south of Kreminna near Bilohorivka.

Operation No. 2 - Donetsk region

On 14 March, positional fighting continued in the area of Bakhmut, but no changes were recorded on the front line. Fighting took place in different areas: northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka, west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske, east of Chasiv Yar, southwest near Klishchiyivka, and south of Bakhmut near New York.

Fighting also continued north-east of Bakhmut near Verkhnekamianske. Units of the Russian 6th Motorised Rifle Division were moving in the area of Klishchiyivka and Andriivka southwest of Bakhmut. In addition, a marine brigade from Russia’s Northern Fleet was spotted near Bohdanivka.

During the long positional battles that continued on March 14, Russian troops advanced to Berdychi, northwest of Avdiivka. Geolocation footage released on March 13 and 14 showed that Russian troops continued to move along Myru and Kazberova streets in the center of Berdychiv.

Fighting continued in different areas: north-west of Avdiivka near Berdychi and Novobakhmutivka; west of Avdiivka near Orlivka, Tonenke and Semenivka; and south-west of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske, Vodyane and Nevelske. Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions there.

On 14 March, positional fighting continued to the west and southwest of Donetsk, but with no confirmed changes in the frontline. Fighting continued to the west of Donetsk, especially in the area of Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka, as well as south-west of Donetsk near Novomykhailivka, Pobyeda and Volodymyrivka.

The Ukrainian officer noted that Russian troops had concentrated in the Novopavlivka area and moved tactical reserves to the area after capturing Avdiivka. Russian troops were active near Krasnohorivka in the area of the 11th Air Force and Air Defence Army, as well as near Vuhledar, where the 238th Artillery Brigade was present.

Also on 14 March, positional fighting continued near the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya regions. Russian and Ukrainian sources reported fighting south of Velyka Novosilka near Staromayorske, southeast of Velyka Novosilka near Novodonetske and south of Zolota Niva, and southeast of Huliaypole north of Novoselivka.

The 305th Artillery Brigade (5th Airborne Brigade, EMS) continued to operate near Velyka Novosilka. Dmytro Lykhoviy, reported that Russian troops intensified offensive operations in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya regions, including the Tavriya direction from Avdiivka to the west of Zaporizhzhya region, in the morning of 14 March. He added that at 08:00 local time on 14 March, 13 combat operations were underway, 12 of which took place in Donetsk region and one in Zaporizhzhya region.

"Southern Axis"

The Russian goal is to maintain positions on the frontline and secure the rear areas from attacks by Ukrainian forces. Geo-location footage released on 14 March shows that Russian troops have recently advanced west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhya region. Positional fighting continues near Robotyne and Verbove. Units of the 429th motorised rifle regiment continue to operate in the Zaporizhzhya sector.