A CV90 was reportedly disabled and damaged - that would be the second confirmed loss of such vehicle. The most interesting part is that this occurred near Khromove, in the Bakhmut sector. What we do know is CV90s are fielded by the 21st Brigade, hence: either it deployed a battalion or a company tactical group in the Bakhmut area (at the moment we know it’s active around Nevske) or another brigade has got CV90s, which I think it’s less likely. Paging u/svenne who is always very interested in things concerning this brigade.

As far as I know, most of the Lancet actions are the work of either the Spetsnaz or the VDV (in this specific case, the 217th Regiment), and both are being issued more and more Lancets lately. This is definitely a problem, both to vehicles and to artillery, if we realize Lancets seem to make up the vast majority of Russian counter-battery actions.

What I believe is that Ukraine might want to reinforce the northern sector of Bakhmut, which despite its very peculiar conformation (Dubovo-Vasylivka salient) has remained overall rather stable since Ukrainian attacks began in May, with the exception of early June when the Ukrainians arrived at the gates of the settlement of Berhirvka. The Russians, however, by bringing in relevant reserves, such as the 217th VDV Regiment in the salient to support the 200th Arctic Brigade, recently the 105th Regiment (former DPR unit) in Khromove, the deployment of the 51st VDV Regiment in those areas, have managed to contain Ukrainian efforts. The Ukrainians, on the other hand, have been attacking in that area mainly with brigades that are not first-rate and were already heavily worn out having taken part both in the hardest months of the battle of Bakhmut and in the attacks of the recent months (57th and elements of the 56th Motorized, 30th Mech, 127th TD).

I would keep an eye on this area - there is a possibility that Ukraine, after assessing to have attrited the Russians enough with the units already in the area, may begin to employ better equipped and fresher units in order to try to force the salient and nearby areas. Beyond the tough battles going on in the southern sector of Bakhmut, I would see that as something more promising than the sporadic Ukrainian efforts towards Soledar from the north. At the same time, the potential employment of elements of the 21st Brigade may suggest that the Ukrainians have decreased the level of perceived danger between Svatove and Kreminna, where this brigade is deployed. In the Kreminna sector, especially in the area of Serebrianka Forest, Russian efforts have somewhat thinned out, partly as a result of Ukrainian attacks on Bakhmut, which forced the Russians to send several units to reinforce the lines in the latter sector. At the same time the density of Ukrainian forces in Kreminna has increased greatly; the situation is more delicate between Svatove and Kupyansk, although at the moment things seem stable.

I think the location is the same; it has been geolocalized - the nearby railway certainly helped a lot. The 57th Brigade which is active between Khromove and Berkhivka was seen with YPR-765s a while ago. It could have been a coordinated attack, like those of the 47th and 65th Mech Brigades in the direction of Robotyne in June. No doubt we’re going to have updates about the 21st Brigade - and the fact it’s one of the best equipped surely does make us even more curious about this brigade!