After A Two Week Lull Russian Forces Are On The Offensive Again In The Donbas

Egypt Independent/CNN: “Entire territory” of Donetsk under fire as Russians push toward Bakhmut, says Ukrainian official 

Many settlements close to the front lines in Donetsk have come under fire in the past 24 hours as Russian forces try to break down Ukrainian defenses, according to the head of the region’s military administration. 

He added that “the front is approaching the city of Bakhmut, where there were systematic artillery fire and air strikes” on Monday. 

Bakhmut is a key objective of Russian forces as a gateway to the remainder of the region still in Ukrainian hands. 

Russian forces are estimated to be about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) southeast of the town.  

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Update: Enemy Preparing For Offensive On Siversk And Soledar In Donetsk Region - General Staff (Ukrainian News).  

WNU Editor: Reports from both Russia and Ukraine are saying that Russian forces are making significant advances along the Donbas front in the past 24 hours.

I do not know if these reports are true, but I do know that the Ukraine army must hold the Bakhmut to Siversk defensive line (see above map). Should this defense line fail, Russian and DPR forces will then be free to rush to Kramatorsk and Slovyansk (the last two major cities held by the Ukrainian army in Donetsk), and from there be able to capture the rest of Donetsk province in a very short period of time. 

A social media post today from a senior separatist Donetsk official gave a timeline on how long he thinks it will take before the entire region of the Donbas has been cleared of Ukrainian forces. He gives it to the end of August.