Ukraine threw back Russian troops north of the Liman: what happened at the front during "negotiations"

The Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated the Russian salient north of Liman and returned several settlements, nullifying a significant part of the Russian advances on this sector of the front over the past year.

However, it is immediately necessary to clarify: reports that Ukraine allegedly “recaptured the Liman” are incorrect. The city itself did not come under stable Russian control. In recent months, Russian units have tried to approach and outflank it from different directions, while the Ukrainian side has launched counterattacks to the north and northwest of the city.

Institute for the Study of War Even on September 6, he noted Ukrainian counterattacks north of Liman, near Stavki, Drobyshevo and in the direction of Zarechny. At the same time, ISW has not recorded any confirmed Russian advances in this area in recent days.

What exactly did Ukraine manage to return?

The most detailed picture by September 7 is provided by OSINT observers tracking changes in the front line using geolocation photos and videos. They estimate that the remaining Russian units withdrew over the past week from positions west of the Nitrius River, and then further east towards the Zherebets River.

Ukrainian forces, according to these estimates, returned:

• Shandrigolovo;
• Average;
• Green Valley;
• Derilovo;
• Novomikhailovka;
• as well as a significant part of the forested areas between them.

Different OSINT sources give slightly different area estimates. The publications contain figures of approximately 152–157 km². Therefore, it is more correct to talk not about exactly 157 km², but approximately 150 km² of returned or newly controlled territory.

Polish State Analytical Center O.S.W. Even on September 1, he noted that Ukrainian counterattacks north of Liman and drone strikes on Russian logistics forced some Russian units to leave positions west of Nitrius. In his assessment, the Russian salient position in the area has been noticeably reduced since July, although much of the abandoned territory remained a “gray zone” for some time.

Why the Russian salient was vulnerable

Russian troops gradually advanced north of Liman during 2025–2026, trying to improve positions to put pressure on both the city itself and the wider line Slavyansk — Kramatorsk.

But as we advanced, an elongated ledge formed, the supply of which became increasingly difficult.

Ukrainian units began to put pressure on its flanks and at the same time launch drone strikes along supply routes.

As a result, the Russian group on the western side of the bulge risked being cut off from the main forces.

According to OSINT observers, the Russian command ultimately chose to withdraw the remaining units before Ukrainian forces could completely close the salient.

This is a serious success, but not a collapse of the front

For Ukraine, what happened represents a significant tactical success.

The Russian advance in this area was created over many months, and a significant part of it was eliminated in a relatively short period of time.

In addition, the immediate threat of bypassing the Liman from the north has decreased.

The pressure on Ukrainian positions covering the direction to Slavyansk has also decreased.

However, it is too early to talk about a strategic turning point.

Russian troops continue offensive operations both east and south of Liman, as well as in other areas of Donbass. ISW On September 6, he reported on the activity of Russian forces in the Slavic direction, although he did not record any confirmed advances that day.

What’s happening now

After the liquidation of the ledge, Ukrainian units are trying to approach the Zherebets River from several directions at once.

Fighting reported in the area Wellas well as progress towards Ivanovka And Ternov.

If Ukraine manages to gain a foothold on these lines, the front line north of Liman will become much shorter and more convenient for defense.

At the same time, Russia will lose some of its positions that it could use for further pressure towards Slavyansk.

What does this have to do with negotiations?

This is where the Pronews source material makes its most controversial point.

Over the weekend, American representatives Steve Witkoff And Jared Kushner indeed spent more than three hours with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and then arrived in Kyiv for negotiations with Vladimir Zelensky.

This diplomatic mission was discussed in detail by Athens News in a separate article “The mission of Witkoff and Kushner: why the world is again stuck in Donbass and winter”. It examines the positions of Moscow, Kyiv and Washington, the territorial issue and the prospect of a possible continuation of the war in the winter.

Even before this, Athens News wrote about the position of Donald Trump and his attempts to return the Russian-Ukrainian settlement to the agenda in the material “Trump: ‘I talked to Putin – he is not going to attack NATO.'”.

According to Reutersin Moscow, possible ways to end the war and further contacts between Russia and the United States were discussed.

After Moscow, American mediators headed to Kyiv. As reported Reutersthe purpose of the trip was to try to restart the stalled negotiation process. No serious breakthrough was achieved, but the parties continued to discuss a possible trilateral Russia-Ukraine-US format.

During the visit of the American delegation, Moscow and Kyiv also agreed to temporarily limit attacks on their capitals. This was a short-term and limited measure, rather than a cessation of hostilities at the front.

On September 7, the Kremlin announced that Moscow does not exclude the resumption of trilateral negotiations Russia, Ukraine and the United States, although there are no specific dates and places for a possible meeting yet.

At the same time, there is no confirmation of the version that Kyiv deliberately used the negotiations to “lull Moscow’s vigilance” before the attack near Liman.

Moreover, the Ukrainian counterattack north of Liman began long before the current diplomatic activity. O.S.W. Already on September 1, he described Ukrainian successes in this sector, and separate counterattacks took place in July and August.

Therefore, it is more correct to talk about coincidence of two processes: Diplomacy intensified again precisely at the moment when Ukrainian forces were already achieving results on the ground.

Negotiations are ongoing, but both sides continue to fight

The American diplomatic initiative has not yet changed the military reality.

After the meeting with Witkoff and Kushner, Moscow did not give up its territorial demands, and Kyiv did not agree to the concession of the territories of Donbass remaining under its control.

It is the territorial issue that remains one of the central obstacles. As we have already noted in the material about the mission of Witkoff and Kushnerthe full text of the American proposals has not been publicly disclosed, but Donbass remains one of the key points of disagreement.

After the negotiations, Vladimir Zelensky also stated that Ukraine proceeds from the possibility of continuing the war in winter and is discussing additional air defense, ammunition and energy support with its partners.

As a result, a characteristic picture has emerged: Washington is trying to bring the parties back to the negotiating table, but at the same time Russia and Ukraine continue to improve their positions at the front, realizing that it is the situation on the ground that will influence the terms of any future agreement.

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