New Occupied Settlements Appear Along the Border as Enemy Creates Buffer Zone — DeepState
Analysts from the monitoring project DeepState report the emergence of new “red zones” on the combat map near the state border, where the enemy is expanding control over Ukrainian territory.
According to the analysts, the area near the village of Hrabovske, which Russian forces captured in December, has turned into an occupied zone of about 45 km². In addition, the enemy has entered the neighboring settlements of Popivka and Vysoke.
DeepState noted that this defense section is held by territorial defense units.
The report also mentions the village of Sopych, where Russian infantry previously infiltrated. Analysts say the occupiers entered the settlement in well-equipped groups and used local residents as cover during the raid.
Further south, Komarivka has become part of the “red zone” — Russian forces were first spotted there and later consolidated their positions.
At the same time, a significant number of “gray zones” remain along the state border. In these areas, Russian troops are conducting reconnaissance, testing defenses, and forming a so-called buffer zone.
According to the analysts, the enemy sometimes deploys only observation posts with one or a few soldiers in these positions to monitor the situation and gather information on potential actions by Ukrainian forces.
DeepState urged the command to pay greater attention to the defense of border sections and to provide units with the necessary resources, including drones, which could prevent the movement of enemy infantry.
Analysts also called on residents of border areas to evacuate, emphasizing that these territories remain high-risk zones.
It is worth recalling that President Zelensky reported that this winter, the Armed Forces held all key defensive positions. Additionally, near Kupiansk, Ukrainian forces neutralized a group of Russian soldiers who were attempting to mine a road.
