The Ukrainian General Staff announced on 17/8/2025 that its forces had dislodged Russian units from six settlements in Donetsk province over the past two weeks: Hruzke, Rubizhne, Novovodiane, Petrivka, Vesele, and Zolotyi Kolodiaz.

The General Staff claimed Russia suffered "heavy losses" in the area, with 910 soldiers killed, 335 wounded, and 37 captured.

"Ukrainian forces also destroyed or damaged eight tanks, six armored vehicles, over 100 vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, 18 artillery pieces, and 91 drones," the General Staff added.

DeepState, an analytical group linked to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, released a map on the same day showing that two Russian salients created after breaching Ukrainian lines near Pokrovsk had been cut off.

Situation on the Pokrovsk front published by Ukrainian analytical groups on 17/8. Graphics: DeepState

Situation on the Pokrovsk front published by Ukrainian analytical groups on 17/8. Graphics: DeepState

"Efforts to stabilize the situation near the city of Dobropillia are ongoing," the General Staff said, adding that its forces also "cleared out" enemy positions around the stronghold of Pokrovsk.

The Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on the information but said it "had gained more advantageous positions" near Zolotyi Kolodiaz.

Pokrovsk has been one of the fiercest battlegrounds in Ukraine in recent months. Intelligence groups linked to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense admitted that the Russian army had breached the defensive line north of Pokrovsk, advancing into the settlements of Kucheriv Yar, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, and Vesele.

Russian units are also stepping up their offensive towards the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway. This is a vital logistical route for the Ukrainian army, used regularly until at least mid-July. The Russian army appears to be trying to establish a foothold west of the highway to completely cut off this supply line.

Observers believe this is the deepest advance by the Russian army on the battlefield in a year, potentially leading to a large-scale collapse of Ukrainian lines in the area.

Ukrainian tank fires in a photo posted on 14/8. Photo: Ukrainian General Staff

Ukrainian tank fires in a photo posted on 14/8. Photo: Ukrainian General Staff

The Ukrainian army subsequently deployed several elite units to the area, including the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 12th "Azov" Brigade, and the 4th "Rubizh" Brigade of the National Guard, the 1st Assault Battalion, and the 25th Assault Battalion, to stabilize the situation and prevent Russia from exploiting its advantage.

However, experts warn that this move could lead to new vulnerabilities in Ukraine's defensive lines in Donetsk province and highlight Kyiv's most serious problem: a lack of manpower to hold defensive positions.

Pham Giang (According to Reuters, Kyiv Independent)