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+#REDIRECT [[Luhansk Oblast campaign]] {{R from merge}}
-{{Short description|Battle in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}{{Copy edit|date=February 2023}}{{Infobox military conflict
-| conflict          = Battles of Bilohorivka
-| partof            = the [[Eastern Ukraine offensive]] of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
-| image             = battleofbilohorivka.jpg
-| image_caption     = Map of combat operations in the vicinity of Dovhenke with an apartment on 24 June 2022
-| date              = 5 May – 3 July 2022<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=5|day1=07|year1=2022|month2=7|day2=03|year2=2022}}; first battle)<br />20 September 2022 – ''Present''<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=9|day1=20|year1=2022|month2=|day2=|year2=}}; second battle)
-| place             = [[Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast|Bilohorivka]], [[Sievierodonetsk Raion]], [[Luhansk Oblast]], [[Ukraine]]
-| result            = Russian victory and subsequent withdrawal (first battle)<br />Ongoing (second battle)
-* Russia took full control of Bilohorivka from 3 July to 10 September
-* On September 19, Ukraine regained control of Bilohorivka during the Kharkiv counter-offensive
-* The city was destroyed during months of Russian bombing
-*Russia claimed to capture Bilohorivka on February 1
-*Ukrainian forces regained control of most of the city on February 6
-| combatant1        = {{flag|Russia}}<br>{{flag|Luhansk People's Republic|name= Luhansk PR}}
-| combatant2        = {{flag|Ukraine}}
-| commander1        = Unknown
-| commander2        = Unknown
-| units1            = {{armed forces|Russia}}
-| units2            = {{armed forces|Ukraine}}
-*[[Image:Territorial Defence Forces branch SSI.svg|15px]] [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]]
-*[[Image:Kraken logo.png|20px]] [[Kraken Regiment]]
-| strength1         =
-| strength2         =
-| casualties1       = Heavy
-| casualties2       = Heavy
-| casualties3       =
-| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
-| status            =
-| image_size        = 300
-}}
-The '''Battles of Bilohorivka''' are a pair of military engagements during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022]], as part of the [[Battle of Donbass]] wider [[Eastern Ukraine campaign|offensive into eastern Ukraine]]. The first battle began on May 5 and ended with a Russian victory at [[Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|Sieverodonetsk]] and [[Battle of Lysychansk|Lysychansk]] on July 3, 2022. Russian forces used Bilohorivka as a springboard to launch [[Battle of Siversk|attacks on Siversk]] and the surrounding area, but were stopped by Ukrainian forces in mid-summer.
-The second battle began after a series of Ukrainian victories in the [[Kharkiv counteroffensive]]. Ukrainian forces on September 19 drove Russian forces to the outskirts of Bilohorivka, where Russian troops dug in, creating a strong line of defense for the strategically important city of [[Lysychansk]], which they took the same day as Bilohorivka.
-Bilohorivka is strategically important due to possible plans to launch an attack on [[Lysychansk]].
-== Background ==
-{{Main|Eastern Ukraine offensive|Battle of Donbas (2022)}}
-{{Further|First Battle of Kreminna|Battle of Popasna|Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)}}
-On 24 February 2022, Russian forces and their separatist allies launched an offensive into Donbas.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-06-29 |title=Conflict in Ukraine's Donbas: A Visual Explainer |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/conflict-ukraines-donbas-visual-explainer |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Crisis Group |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518174626/https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/conflict-ukraines-donbas-visual-explainer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=russian-invasion |url=https://www.uawarexplained.com/russian-invasion/?version=sixty-minutes |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=UaWarExplained.com |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601064335/https://www.uawarexplained.com/russian-invasion/?version=sixty-minutes |url-status=live }}</ref>
-On 18 April, Ukrainian and Russian authorities announced the beginning of the [[Battle of Donbas (2022)|battle of Donbas]], a large-scale push to capture all of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.<ref>{{cite web |title='Battle for Donbas begins' with explosions along all front lines |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/19/russia-has-begun-battle-for-donbas-in-ukraines-east-zelenskyy |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419044742/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/19/russia-has-begun-battle-for-donbas-in-ukraines-east-zelenskyy |url-status=live }}</ref>The next day, Russian troops captured the town of [[Kreminna]], consolidating their initial positions for a possible landing attack on Bilohorivka from the north across the [[Donets|Siverskyi Donets]] River.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/19/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskiy-says-battle-for-donbas-has-begun-dialogue-between-macron-and-putin-stalls-live |title=Russian forces seize Kreminna in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region - as it happened|website=[[The Guardian]] |date= 20 April 2022|access-date=2022-05-31 |last1=Lock |first1=Samantha |last2=Anguiano |first2=Dani |last3=Luscombe |first3=Richard |last4=Chao-Fong |first4=Léonie |last5=Belam |first5=Martin |last7=Belam (Earlier) |first7=Martin }}</ref>
-== Battle ==
-{{Main|Battle of the Siverskyi Donets|Bilohorivka school bombing}}
-Between May 5 and 13, Russian forces began a series of military engagements known as the [[Battle of Siverskyi Donets]] on the Liman-Sierodonetsk front. It was part of a wider offensive against eastern Ukraine, in which the Russian side suffered a heavy defeat in [[Kharkiv Oblast]] during a Ukrainian counter-offensive. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Censor.NET |title=Successful strikes by AFU on enemy equipment during Seversky Donets crossing. VIDEO |url=https://censor.net/en/video_news/3341544/successful_strikes_by_afu_on_enemy_equipment_during_seversky_donets_crossing_video |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Censor.NET |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531114211/https://censor.net/en/video_news/3341544/successful_strikes_by_afu_on_enemy_equipment_during_seversky_donets_crossing_video |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after May 13, Russian troops exclusively focused on separate fighting points with the aim of capturing three towns where heavy fighting continued. The primary targets were [[Sievierodonetsk]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6 | title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MAY 6 | date=6 May 2022 | access-date=7 May 2022 | archive-date=13 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513214803/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bilohorivka]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-08 |title=Ukraine war: 60 people killed after bomb hits school, Zelensky says |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61369229 |access-date=2022-05-09 |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509110941/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61369229 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Toshkivka]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3479492-na-lugansini-tocatsa-boi-za-voevodivku-toskivku-ta-nizne.html | title = На Луганщині точаться бої за Воєводівку, Тошківку та Нижнє | publisher = Укрінформ| author = | date = 2022-05-10 | access-date = | language = }}</ref>
-=== First battle ===
-On 7 May 2022, a school in [[Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast|Bilohorivka]], was bombed by Russian forces during the [[Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|Battle of Sievierodonetsk]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-08 |title=Ukraine war: 60 people killed after bomb hits school, Zelensky says |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61369229 |access-date=2022-05-09 |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509110941/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61369229 |url-status=live }}</ref> The death of at least two people was confirmed while authorities said the actual death toll was close to 60.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-08 |title=Bombing of school in Ukraine kills two, dozens more feared dead, governor says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bombing-school-ukrainian-town-kills-two-60-more-under-debris-governor-2022-05-08/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508115213/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bombing-school-ukrainian-town-kills-two-60-more-under-debris-governor-2022-05-08/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-About ninety people were sheltering inside the building's basement at the time,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Up to 60 feared dead after Russia bombs school in eastern Ukraine |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/08/ukraine-luhansk-school-bomb-russia/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510090535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/08/ukraine-luhansk-school-bomb-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] said was the majority of the village's population.<ref name=":1" /> The building was hit by a Russian airstrike, setting the building on fire and trapping large numbers of people inside. This attack started the first battle for Bilohorivka.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sixty feared dead in Ukraine school bombed by Russia, governor says |language=en-US |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-azovstal-steelworks-evacuation-focuses-wounded-medics-2022-05-08/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510090527/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-azovstal-steelworks-evacuation-focuses-wounded-medics-2022-05-08/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-====Penetration from the north====
-[[File:Форсування Сіверського Донця.jpg|thumb|300px|Destroyed Russian bridge and vehicles near Bilohorivka]]
-On 8 May, Russian forces constructed a [[pontoon bridge]] across the Donets at Bilohorivka. Thousands of personnel, tanks, and other military vehicles prepared to cross over to the west bank of the river as part of their wider advance westward towards [[Lyman, Ukraine|Lyman]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=Russian army 'lose entire battalion' trying to cross Ukraine bridge |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-putin-soldiers-siverskyi-donets-b2077244.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605172005/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-putin-soldiers-siverskyi-donets-b2077244.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-On the same day, the Ukrainian [[17th Tank Brigade (Ukraine)|17th Tank Brigade]] sent a reconnaissance detachment to the west bank of the river to observe Russian progress in the area. Russian troops had thrown smoke grenades in the area, impairing visibility. To counter this, the Ukrainian forces deployed drones, successfully spotting the pontoon bridge in the early morning.<ref name=Newsweek_reveals>{{Cite web |last=Carbonaro |first=Giulia |date=2022-05-12 |title=Ukrainian soldier reveals how he secretly blew up Russian bridge |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ukrainian-soldier-reveals-how-he-secretly-blew-russian-bridge-1706083 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530035537/https://www.newsweek.com/ukrainian-soldier-reveals-how-he-secretly-blew-russian-bridge-1706083 |url-status=live }}</ref> This information was relayed to the [[Ukrainian Air Force]] and artillery detachments stationed throughout the area, who pounded the bridge with a combined aerial and artillery bombardment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mendick |first=Robert |date=2022-05-12 |title=A bridge too far for Russian invaders as whole battalion destroyed in failed river crossing mission |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/05/12/ukrainian-forces-swept-away-entire-russian-battalion-failed/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615123749/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/05/12/ukrainian-forces-swept-away-entire-russian-battalion-failed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The bridge was confirmed destroyed by 10 May.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia takes losses in failed river crossing, officials say |url=https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/russia-takes-losses-failed-river-crossing-officials-say-20220513.html |access-date=17 May 2022 |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603152954/https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/russia-takes-losses-failed-river-crossing-officials-say-20220513.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ukrainian infantry claimed 30 vehicles destroyed with another 40 disabled by artillery fire for 70 total at this crossing. Ukrainian forces blew up four separate bridges at Bilohorivka alone.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |last2=Prickett |first2=Ivor |date=2022-05-25 |title=A Doomed River Crossing Shows the Perils of Entrapment in the War's East |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/world/europe/russia-ukraine-donbas.html |access-date=2022-07-12 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710064023/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/world/europe/russia-ukraine-donbas.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-The last bridge was constructed between Bilohorivka and [[Serebrianka, Donetsk Oblast|Serebrianka]] around 12 May and was also destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Censor.NET |title=Successful strikes by AFU on enemy equipment during Seversky Donets crossing. VIDEO |url=https://censor.net/en/video_news/3341544/successful_strikes_by_afu_on_enemy_equipment_during_seversky_donets_crossing_video |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Censor.NET |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531114211/https://censor.net/en/video_news/3341544/successful_strikes_by_afu_on_enemy_equipment_during_seversky_donets_crossing_video |url-status=live }}</ref> The last Russian troops retreated to their side of the river on 13 May.
-====Penetration from the south and east====
-After the Russian defeat and failure to land at Bilohorivka from the north, the Russian side [[First Battle of Lyman|focused on the city of Lyman]] on the left side of the river while in the following weeks they pressed on Bilohorivka from the [[Battle of Toshkivka|direction of Toshkivka]] from the south and east and the fighting in [[Battle of Sievierodonetsk (2022)|Sieverodonetsk]] and [[Battle of Lysychansk| Lysychansk]], which they occupied in June. Ukrainian troops held a strong line of defense in the south until the fall of Lysychansk on July 3. The front collapsed then due to heavy Russian pressure from the east, causing Ukrainian forces to conduct a tactical withdrawal and form a new line about twenty kilometers west towards [[Siversk]] [[Battle of Siversk|for the defense]] of that city.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-06-25/mayor-says-ukrainian-troops-have-almost-left-sievierodonetsk Mayor Says Ukrainian Troops Have 'Almost Left' Sievierodonetsk]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/622591/World/Europe/Ukraine-war-Putin-presses-on-after-Lysychansk-capture|work=Saudi Gazette|title=Ukraine war: Putin presses on after Lysychansk capture|date=5 July 2022}}</ref>
-=== Aftermath of first battle ===
-{{See also|Battle of Siversk|Second Battle of Lyman|2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive}}
-With the fall of Lysychansk and its western outskirts, Russia and the [[Luhansk People's Republic]] declared full control of [[Luhansk Oblast]] for the first time, achieving an objective of the Russian-led campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyindependent.com/region/russia-claims-control-of-pivotal-eastern-ukrainian-province/article_f487bcf7-e5ba-522a-8a45-49e7585e7569.html|date=3 July 2022|access-date=4 July 2022|work=Daily Independent|title=Russia claims control of pivotal eastern Ukrainian province}}</ref> Bilohorivka became one of the last settlements in the Luhansk region to come under Russian control.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-62032173|title="Мы бережем жизни наших воинов". Зеленский подтвердил, что украинская армия вышла из Лисичанска|website=Русская служба Би-би-си|date=2022-07-03|access-date=2022-07-08|archive-date=2022-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708193615/https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-62032173|url-status=live}}</ref>
-====Operational pause and failure at Siversk====
-After the capture of Bilohorivka, Russian forces focused on taking control of the [[Donetsk People's Republic]], primarily on ending the eight-year blockade of Donetsk and [[Horlivka]] and taking control of [[Bakhmut]] and [[Sloviansk]]. However, the Ukrainian forces carried out a massive mobilization in mid-summer and received significant amounts of modern military equipment and techniques from Western countries, while the Russian side significantly reduced their numbers and sent soldiers home on leave, which allowed the Ukrainians to stop further Russian advances west towards Siversk. The [[Russian Ministry of Defense]] announced on July 16 that the operational pause was effectively over. During the next month and a half only positional and trench battles took place on the [[Siversk]]-Bilohorivka route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref>
-====Eastern counter-offensive and  Ukrainian recapture of Bilohorivka====
-On September 9, Ukrainian troops liberated [[Sviatohirsk]], which had fallen under Russian control at the beginning of June. They thus unblocked the city of [[Siversk]], pushing Russian forces further towards Bilokhorivka. The following day, September 10,  Ukrainian forces retook control of some villages in Luhansk oblast, including Bilohorivka, from which Russian forces had expelled them at the beginning of July after the fall of Lysychansk. During the ten-day Ukrainian counter-offensive, on September 19, Russian troops were forced to leave Bilohorivka and form a line of defense on the outskirts of the city.<ref name=Harding>{{cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=19 September 2022 |title=Russia no longer has full control of Luhansk as Ukraine recaptures village |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/19/russia-no-longer-has-full-control-of-luhansk-as-ukraine-recaptures-village |work=The Guardian|access-date=19 September 2022}}</ref> The Ukrainian advance was stopped on the eastern outskirts of Bilohorivka, where they set up defensive positions. On 20 September 2022, [[Serhiy Haidai|Serhii Haidai]], head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said that "Bilohorivka was Ukraine’s last stronghold in Luhansk Oblast. It was the area of constant heavy fighting. Our defenders have squeezed the invaders out and are in full control of the town. However, it is still under artillery fire. The town no longer exists because the invaders razed it to the ground".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/|title=Institute for the Study of War|website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>
-=== Second battle ===
-{{Main articles|Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line}}
-Russian troops continuously conducted artillery, air and infantry attacks on the town of Bilohorivka for months with the aim of recapturing it, but without much success, since very strong Ukrainian forces were dug in at that town. In the following months, Bilohorivka was the scene of heavy fighting, and the city's infrastructure, unlike in the first phase of the fighting in the summer, was completely destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor: "RUSSIA RAZED SEVERAL TOWNS IN LUHANSK OBLAST TO THE GROUND; BILOHORIVKA IS FULLY CONTROLLED BY UKRAINE'S ARMED FORCES," SERHIY HAIDAI |url=https://mediacenter.org.ua/russia-razed-several-towns-in-luhansk-oblast-to-the-ground-bilohorivka-is-fully-controlled-by-ukraine-s-armed-forces-serhiy-haidai/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Ukraine Media Centre |date=20 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
-====Russian artillery and infantry attacks====
-On October 18, Russia attempted an assault with artillery support on Bilohorivka, {{ILL|Stelmakhivka|uk|Стельмахівка}}, [[Hrekivka]], Nadia and Novoyehorivka, but the attack was repulsed. Russian troops continued to shell liberated settlements, turning them into "ashes."{{cn|date=February 2023}} According to Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhii Khaidai, on October 18, Ukrainian forces repelled several Russian attacks, including one near the recently liberated village of Bilohorivka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor: Ukraine repels Russia's attack near liberated Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast |url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/governor-ukraine-repels-russias-attack-near-liberated-bilohorivka-in-luhansk-oblast |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=The Kyiv Independent |date=19 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian defenders repel Russian attack on Bilohorivka |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/10/19/7372533/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>
-On October 24, Russian forces attempted a wider occupation in the area of Bilohorivka, but Ukrainian forces repelled the attacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operational update regarding the russian invasion on 06.00, on October 25, 2022 |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/the-operational-update-regarding-the-russian-invasion-on-0600-on-october-25-2022 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Government portal |language=en}}</ref>
-====Russian penetration into the city====
-The [[General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces|Ukrainian General Staff]] reported that Russian troops attacked Bilohorivka on November 6, but did not confirm Russian claims that their forces had entered the settlement. On November 7, Russian media claimed that Russian proxy troops, the 6th Cossack Regiment of the Lugansk People's Republic (LNR) and [[Wagner Group]] soldiers entered Bilohorivka (10 km south of Kreminna) after several months of heavy fighting along the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and that fighting continued in residential areas of the settlement. The Ukrainian General Staff also noted that a Ukrainian strike damaged a unit of the Chechen [[Kadyrovites|Akhmat Battalion]] in Lysychansk, about 10 km east of Bilohorivka, on 7 November.
-Russian forces sought to regain their lost positions in that strategically important place, to push Ukrainian troops away from the critical area of Sievierodonetsk-Lysychansk (east) and Kreminna-Svatove (north) on which Ukrainian troops were exerting strong pressure from the Lyman and [[Kupiansk]]. Bilohorivka was also very important for Russian troops for a possible offensive towards Soledar and [[Bakhmut]] to the south, where Russian troops also focused on strong offensive actions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, NOVEMBER 7 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-7 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=ISW |language=en}}</ref> However, both Russian and Ukrainian media reported on November 9 that fighting continued in the neighborhoods of Bilohorivka and that fierce street fighting continued in the following weeks and months.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Liberating Momentum? Ukraine Conflict Assessments in Maps (November 7-13, 2022) |url=https://complexdiscovery.com/a-liberating-momentum-ukraine-conflict-assessments-in-maps-november-7-13-2022/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Complex Discovery |language=en}}</ref> On November 12, Russian troops attempted a wider infantry attack with artillery support in the area of Bilohorivka and Spirne, with the intention of encircling them, but Ukrainian forces repelled the attack and formed a defensive line from Bilohorivka to Spirne.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operational update regarding russian invasion as of 06.00, November 13, 2022 |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/operativna-informaciya-generalnogo-shtabu-zbrojnih-sil-ukrayini-stanom-na-0600-13112022-shchodo-rosijskogo-vtorgnennya |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=Government portal |language=en}}</ref>
-====Ukrainian counteroffensive====
-On November 14, Ukrainian forces continued counter-offensives on the [[Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line|Svatove-Kremina line]] and expanded the counter-offensive in and around the town of Bilohorivka with the intention of pushing Russian forces further towards Lysychansk, 13km east. After fierce fighting, members of the Wagner group were driven out of Bilohorivka to the eastern outskirts of the city by evening.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 14 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14 |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On November 16, the commander of [[BARS (Russia)|BARS-13]] (Russian Combat Reserve) stated that Ukrainian forces had launched a counteroffensive near the city of Kreminna and that counteroffensive operations had been extended 12 km south of Kreminna to Bilohorivka, since November 16. The goal of this counteroffensive operation was for Ukrainian forces to regain lost territories in Luhansk Oblast south of the Donets. Bilohorivka was strategically very important for the liberation of the city of Lysychansk as the counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine progressed. Powerful artillery attacks began with precision strikes from [[M142 HIMARS|HIMARS]] multi-barrel rocket systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 16 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-16 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Battle of Ukraine, Special Issue 90, from 16 November, 14:00 to 23 November, 12:00 Kyiv Time |url=https://gfsis.org.ge/russian-monitor/view/3386 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=RONDELI FOUNDATION |language=en}}</ref> By the morning of November 17, Ukrainian troops had driven out the Russian forces from the northern side of the city of Bilohorivka and extended the Svatove-Kreminna-Bilohorivka-Spirne front line to the right of the Donets River. The Russians counterattacked, trying to regain the territory of the village, which was completely destroyed. Haydai stated that this operation was aimed at the return of occupied cities such as [[Sieverodonetsk]], [[Rubizhne]] and [[Lysychansk]] because local residents were freezing and had to heat their apartments in high-rise buildings with firewood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fierce fighting ongoing on Svatove-Kreminna and Bilohorivka fronts |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/11/17/7376734/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref> The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repulsed Russian ground attacks in the northeast near Spirne and Bilohorivka, as Russian troops brought reinforcements from the direction of Lysychansk, which was seriously threatened. Deputy Interior Minister of the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) Vitaly Kiselyov claimed that the forces of the Wagner Group repelled Ukrainian counterattacks towards Lysichansk and entrenched themselves in the eastern parts of Bilokhorivka. Between November 12 and 17, Bilohorivka was virtually destroyed in fierce fighting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 17 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-17 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 18 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-18 |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref>
-====Positional battles east of the city November-December 2022====
-On December 8, Lugansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai said Russia had deployed more troops near Lysychansk to try to capture the village of Bilohorivka and described an intensified Russian air offensive. In December, Russian forces brought reinforcements from the direction of Lysychansk and [[Popasna]] and attempted several more infantry attacks, but were repulsed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia, Ukraine Trading Attacks in Crucial Territory Moscow Tried to Annex |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-ukraine-trading-attacks-in-crucial-territory-moscow-tried-to-annex/6868306.html |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Woa news |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine War, 12 December 2022 |url=https://medium.com/@x_TomCooper_x/ukraine-war-12-december-2022-52037ae30a06 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Medium |date=12 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 06.00, on December 17, 2022 |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/operatyvna-informatsiia-heneralnoho-shtabu-zbroinykh-syl-ukrainy-stanom-na-0600-17122022-shchodo-rosiiskoho-vtorhnennia |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Government portal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 06.00, on December 31, 2022 |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/operatyvna-informatsiia-heneralnoho-shtabu-zbroinykh-syl-ukrainy-stanom-na-0600-31122022-shchodo-rosiiskoho-vtorhnennia |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=Government portal |language=en}}</ref>
-====Fall of Soledar and Russian offensive January 2023 — Present ====
-After the [[Battle of Soledar|fall of Soledar]], Russian forces continued offensive operations at Bilohorivka on January 16. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repulsed Russian attacks in the vicinity 24 km north of [[Soledar]] at Verkhnokamyanska, [[Spirne, Donetsk Oblast|Spirne]], [[Krasnopavlivka|Krasnopolivka]], Sil and Bilohorivka. Geolocated imagery showed that Russian forces made minor progress north of Bilohorivka<ref>{{Cite web |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JANUARY 17, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-17-2023 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=ISW |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Situation update of General Staff of UAF regarding russian invasion as of 6.00 a.m., 20th January 2023 |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/operatyvna-informatsiia-heneralnoho-shtabu-zbroinykh-syl-ukrainy-stanom-na-0600-20012023-shchodo-rosiiskoho-vtorhnennia |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On January 25, Russian forces launched fiercer ground attacks to regain lost positions near Kreminna and eliminate the threat of a Ukrainian offensive from the south across the Donets River. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repulsed a Russian attack near Bilohorivka,(12 km southeast of Kreminna), however the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Russian forces pushed out Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups south of Kreminna and gained a foothold near the Siverskyi Donets. A member of the BARS announced  combat missions in the Kreminna area and claimed that they were under constant Ukrainian sniper fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 25, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-25 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref>
-On January 29 and 30, Russian forces intensified ground attacks on [[Dibrova, Luhansk Oblast|Dibrova]] (5 km southwest of Kreminna) and Bilohorivka (12 km south of Kreminna) in the Luhansk region and Yampolivka (16 km west of Kreminna) from the north. On January 29, members of the [[76th Guards Air Assault Division]] ([[Western Military District]]), the [[Prizrak Brigade|4th LNR Territorial Defense Brigade]] and the [[144th Guards Motor Rifle Division|144th Motorized Division]] conducting offensive operations near Kreminna. On January 30, Russian forces made an indefinite advance in the Dibrova area and attacked in the direction of Yampolivka. Also on January 30, Ukrainian forces heavily shelled Russian targets west of Dibrova and succeeded in thwarting a marginal advance by Russian forces southwest of Kreminna.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 29, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-29 |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 30, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-30 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> The spokesman for Ukraine's Eastern Group of Forces, Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty, said on January 31 that the Ukrainian advance on the Svatove-Kreminna line had slowed down due to Russian artillery pounding Ukrainian positions about 8 km west of Kreminna the previous day, indicating that Ukrainian forces advanced to 8 km from the settlement. The Russians fiercely pounded Bolohorivka with artillery, to which the Ukrainian forces responded with attacks on Russian-occupied areas. Russian media reported January 31, that according to the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Ukrainian troops attacked [[Kadiivka]] (48 km west of Luhansk city on the T0504 Lysichansk-Luhansk highway) using HIMARS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JANUARY 31, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-31-2023 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=ISW |language=en}}</ref>
-On February 1, Russian forces launched a major counter-offensive on the [[Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line|Svatove-Kreminna line]] in the direction of [[Yampil, Donetsk Oblast|Yampil]] and [[Lyman, Ukraine|Lyman]], which they had lost in the major Ukrainian [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|Kharkiv counter-offensive in September and October 2022]]. In the first two days of February, Russian troops increased the number of attacks in the area of Bilohorivka settlement, to identify weak points in the defense of the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]]. A video released on February 1 shows alleged Russian forces disguised as Ukrainian infantry attacking Ukrainian positions near Bilohorivka. The Ukrainian side accused Russia of violating the [[Geneva Conventions|Geneva Convention on War Crimes]], which prohibits "improper use of military insignia and uniforms of the enemy." On the morning of February 3, some Russian bloggers announced that Ukrainian forces had retreated from Bilohorivka towards Siversk, and some Telegram channels announced that Russian forces had entered Bilohorivka. The Ukrainian side denied those claims.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Putin Plans to Capture Entire Donbas By March. Intelligence Explains Escalation Of Hostilities |url=https://ukranews.com/en/news/912872-putin-plans-to-capture-entire-donbas-by-march-intelligence-explains-escalation-of-hostilities |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Ukrainian News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=[ Analysis ] Major withdrawal at the Siversk Front to the 2nd line of defense likely by Ukraine |url=https://defensepoliticsasia.com/analysis-major-withdrawal-at-the-siversk-front-to-the-2nd-line-of-defense-likely-by-ukraine/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Defense Politics Asia |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 1, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-1-2023 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 2, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-2-2023 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On February 4, Russian forces captured most of the settlement, and some Russian milbloggers claimed that they were currently clearing it, while others claimed that Russian forces were still fighting to capture Bilohorivka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-4-2023 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On 5 February, Ukrainian forces counterattacked and recaptured positions in Bilohorivka as of 6 February despite Russian claims that, Russian forces had captured Bilohorivka on 3 February. On February 6, Russian forces withdrew from most of Bilohorivka following a Ukrainian counterattack. Ukrainian forces regained control over a large part of Bilohorivka. Some Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces tried to advance again towards Siversk from the northeast near Bilohorivka, from the east near Zolotarivka, and from the southeast near Spirne. However, the plan was foiled on February 5 and 6, so the Russian troops continued their breakthrough from the south from the direction of Soledar, where Ukrainian forces were largely destroyed, and that Ukrainian forces tried to bring in reinforcements from Bilohorivka, which failed because the Russians tried to occupy it and to threaten Siversk from the east and Lyman from the south.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-6-2023 |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On February 7, Russian forces withdrew from most of Bilohorivka following a Ukrainian counterattack. Ukrainian forces regained control over a large part of Bilohorivka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 7, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-7-2023 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On February 8, Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations south of Kremenje. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian troops were attacked near Shepilov (7 km south of Kreminna) and Bilohorivka (10 km south of Kreminna).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 8, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-8-2023 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> The following day, Ukrainian troops repulsed a Russian attack near Bilohorivka, and Russian troops began offensive operations north of Bilohorivka and along the Shepilovo-Dibrova line, about 5 km south of Kreminna.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 9, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-9-2023 |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> Over the next few weeks, heavy positional fighting continued within a few kilometers of Bilohorivka with constant and persistent Russian attacks to break through the renewed Ukrainian defense line, but to no avail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 10, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-10-2023 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 11, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-11-2023 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On April 13, Russian forces launched intensified military operations in the direction of the town of Bilohorivka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 13, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-13-2023 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On 15th of April, Russia made some progress on the eastern outskirts of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 15, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-15-2023 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On May 3, Russian forces and members of the Chechen unit Akhmat approached Bilohorivka from the south, where they entered the territory of the quarry, where heavy fighting began. Ukrainian forces, after heavy fighting and minor advances by Chechen units, managed to stop further efforts to penetrate to Bilohorivka. During the day on May 3, the Ukrainian artillery launched a counterattack with the aim of driving the members of the Akhmat unit from the territory of the nearby quarry and thus reducing the pressure from the south.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 3, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-3-2023 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref> On May 11, Chechen Akhmat units took full control of the quarry south of Bilohorivka after eight days of fierce fighting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 11, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-11-2023 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=CRITICAL THREATS |language=en}}</ref>
-==See also==
-*[[Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line]]
-*[[List of military engagements during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
-*[[Timeline of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine: phase 4]]
-== References ==
-{{Reflist}}
-{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Military}}
-{{coord missing|Ukraine}}
-[[Category:Battles of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Eastern Ukraine offensive|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:May 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:June 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:July 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:September 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:October 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:November 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:December 2022 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:January 2023 events in Ukraine]]
-[[Category:History of Luhansk Oblast]]
-[[Category:Battles in 2023|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Battles in 2022|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Battles involving Russia|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Battles involving Ukraine|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Battles involving the Luhansk People's Republic|Bilohorivka]]
-[[Category:Battles involving the Donetsk People's Republic|Bilohorivka]]