Daily, the Ukraine Battlefield update newsletter delivers a sharp analysis of ground-level developments, focusing on frontline progress and evolving conflict trends.

A Russian Guards tank division's engagement in the Dobropillia area could signal the evolving role of armored units.
Around Kostyantynivka, Russian troops have advanced perilously close, threatening to encircle the settlement.
Russian units face challenges in Zaporizhzhia, reporting major issues near Stepnohirsk.
Ukraine's military persists in irregularly bolstering the contentious Skala regiment by assigning a "French" brigade to it.
Locations of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities in March.
Today's maps: Positions of Russia's 90th tank division; Zaporizhzhia sector; Kostyantynivka region.
Today's videos: Rare footage of a T-90M tank destroyed; Russian troops deploying Lancet drones from a truck; demonstration of a 10-kg bomb that penetrates one-meter concrete.

The engagement of a Russian Guards tank division in the Dobropillia sector might preview the destiny of tank formations. Slovakia's administration is weighing the purchase of modern tanks for its military. The leading option was Germany's Leopard 2A8, but Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák noted it exceeds budget limits.

A more affordable alternative is now in discussion. Preferences may shift again; the initial choice was Sweden's CV-90120, an upgraded CV-90 infantry carrier fitted with a fresh turret and 120 mm cannon.

As colleague Vladimír Šnídl reported from the Bratislava arms expo, manufacturer Michal Strnad - closely linked to Kaliňák - unveiled the CFL-120 Karpat this week. It pairs a Turkish FNSS chassis with an Italian Leonardo turret.

Strnad's government ties position it strongly as a candidate, despite the Swedish variant's advanced development stage and synergy with CV-90s already ordered for Slovakia's forces, now in production.

This consideration unfolds as tanks' viability faces scrutiny. They have mostly vanished from Ukraine's frontlines. Some argue this is a pause until adaptations counter the altered battlefield. Others see heavy armor investments as wasteful amid drone dominance.

Slovakia must confront this discussion. Insight comes from Russia's 90th Guards Tank Division - Vitebsk-Novgorod honors - formed in 2016 under Vladimir Putin's military modernization. It now operates near Pokrovsk in Dobropillia, diverging sharply from conventional tank tactics.

"The spring-summer push is underway, though underreported. In the 7th airborne corps' zone, enemy elements of the 90th tank division have deployed," the corps announced Wednesday.

The corps noted the division's arrival on May 9, concentrating in seized Pokrovsk per intelligence.

It has since engaged near Hryshyne and possibly west of Pokrovsk at Udachne - left side of the 7th corps map. The right flank targets Dobropillia directly.

How does this relate to Slovakia's tank plans? At the 2022 invasion's start, the 90th held about 300 T-72 variants, backed by BMPs and BTRs.

Three regiments endured failed assaults, heavy Kyiv losses, withdrawal to Bohdanivka with war crimes including sexual violence - prompting EU sanctions on commander Ramil Ibatullin.

It failed to halt Ukraine's 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, then bled in Avdiivka's early armored clashes.

This history marks it as severely depleted, yet it persisted with tanks.

Now transformed: "Tanks rarely appear - drones neutralize them," per the 7th corps. Tank units have adapted; mechanized charges yield to gradual drone, FPV, and recon advances.

Formal tank divisions mimic others: advancing infantry and drone teams through forests and settlements.

Terrain aids Russians - rivers, roads, greenery. The 90th pairs with the war-crime-linked 76th airborne, assault specialists, and Rubicon operators.

"Foes leverage drone and infantry numbers for sustained pressure and supply route dominance," Ukrainians reported - tanks unmentioned.

This hardly ends tanks' era; evolution likely awaits. Yet Slovakia's plans show no such foresight.

Near Kostyantynivka, Russian advances pose encirclement risk to the town. "Russians fight urban battles in Kostyantynivka, encircling from south. Chasiv Yar Ukrainian actions have worsened conditions for our forces," Russian channel Two Majors posted Wednesday.

Chasiv Yar woes are acknowledged; the update seemed routine. Ukrainian and independent reports painted graver pictures.

Analyst Petrenko said Russians penetrated 4.4 km to Molocharka on the northeastern edge, sharing drone strike video that countered them - yet flank and eastern pressures mount.

Petrenko's breakthrough map:

Playfra's map offers broader context, tracing Russian probes around and into town. Eastern matches Petrenko; central arrows hit Molocharka.

Soldier presence does not equal control; Petrenko's video suggests reversal, but the incursion alarms.

Rybar's Russian map details further, including Chasiv Yar (not Molocharka). Kostyantynivka spans view; Chasiv Yar centers right. Russians probe between targets as direct assaults falter; Ukrainians hold Chasiv Yar, shielding Kostyantynivka's east.

Western occupied Zaporizhzhia sees Russian struggles, with complaints of woes near Stepnohirsk. "Zaporizhzhia direction is tough," commentator Yuriy Kotenok posted Tuesday.

Unit Observer OSINT detailed: Ukrainians bolstered with 153rd mechanized and 128th mountain brigades at Stepove and Male Shcherbaky; HUR and ex-International Legion hit Stepnohirsk.

Russians field 7th, 98th, 104th airborne divisions, 11th brigade, 19th/42nd motorized rifles - fragments, but elite-heavy. Still, "no initiative regained after seven months," per observers.

Ukraine keeps haphazardly strengthening disputed Skala regiment, now attaching a "French" brigade. Critics decry prioritizing assault groups, exacerbating shortages elsewhere. Latest escalates this.

Infamous 425th Skala gained 155th Anna of Kyiv mechanized brigade oversight.

This exemplifies chaos, ad-hoc fixes, command meddling.

Regiments rank below brigades; Ukraine builds on brigades, now corps post-2025 reform.

Skala, though regimental, swells division-like: 15 battalions vs. 3-4 norm; full strength nears 10,000 vs. 2,000.

Syrskyi's assault bias inverts hierarchy: paper subordinate commands superior.

155th, 2024 "150-series" elite, trained in France with French gear; tanks Polish Leopard 2A4s.