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Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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The war in Ukraine continues with summer military campaign of the Russian military. Russian forces are making incremental but tactically significant gains across multiple axes. Over the past week, Moscow’s troops have intensified pressure on key Donbass sectors, launching new assaults in the northern border areas, exploiting Ukraine’s dwindling reserves and artillery shortages. While dramatic breakthroughs are yet to come, the cumulative effect of these advances is gradually reshaping the entire front.

In recent days, Russian forces have solidified their presence in northern Kharkiv region, where they continue to push deeper into Ukrainian territory under the stated objective of creating a “security zone” to prevent cross-border shelling of Russian Belgorod region, having. The reported capture of the new border village of Degtyarnoye marks another step in this strategy. Securing new foothold near border, the Russian army may develop its offensive in different directions, including towards the contested town of Volchansk.

 

 

Another new direction of Russian offensive is the border Melovoe, from where the recently deployed Russian reserves are launching resumed attacks towards Khatne and Ambarne, expanding the zone of their control near the border.

The battle for Volchansk has also seen some breakthroughs, where Russian forces were gnawing out victory for every building. Russian assault groups have reportedly partly seized the local oil processing plant, a key stronghold in the city’s southern districts. If fully secured, this position could enable Russian full victory in the town and further advances in the region, threatening Kharkiv’s northern defenses.

Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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In the Sumy region, Ukrainian forces continue vain counterattacks near Kondratovka in an attempt to cut off the village. Russian aircraft have responded with heavy glide bomb strikes, blunting Ukrainian momentum. The AFU also attempt daily counterattacks in the areas of Sadki, Andreyevka, and Yablonovka, but to no avail so far. Meanwhile, the Russian army is focusing on securing Varachino and mopping up Yunakovka.

Depleted Ukrainian forces continue attempts to break through the border near Tyotkino and Novy Put, suffering more losses. According to preliminary reports, on July 17, Russian motorized infantry launched counterattack from Tyotkino, repelled the AFU from their stronghold on the northern outskirts of Ryzhevka area and gained a foothold near the village. This operation may mark the changing power balance in the area.

 

 

In the Kostiantynivka direction, Ukrainian sources acknowledge the loss of Petrovka, while Russian forces are already storming Shcherbinovka. Ukrainian units southwest of Toretsk risk encirclement as Russian troops advance toward Katerinovka from northern and southern directions. Another larger cauldron is boiling west of Petrovka, as Russian forces are advancing towards the Kleban-Byk Reservoir both from the eastern and western directions. Fierce fighting continues in Yablonovka, with Russian forces holding the advantage both in the settlement itself and to its north. Ukrainian sources also report increased Russian activity to the north in the Poltavka-Rusin Yar area, with confirmed tactical advances. Due to manpower shortages, Ukrainian forces are forced to largely rely on FPV drones to halt Russian assaults.

Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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The Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmiysk) direction remains one of the most critical sectors for the Ukrainian army, with Russian forces inching closer to encircling Mirnograd (formerly Dymytrov). In a sudden yet calculated move, Russian troops have pushed forward on the northern flank towards  Rodinskoe. Russian troops have crossed the water reservoir and are already storming the local Chervony Liman mine and the village with the same name south of the mine. Fighting continues around the eastern mine complex, which is key to the defense of the city. Whether this marks a lasting shift remains to be seen, but Ukrainian sources can no longer hide the defeat and acknowledge Russia’s gains.

Southwest of Pokrovsk Russian forces broke into the center of Zverevo, with assault groups infiltrating Ukrainian defensive lines, supported by heavy drone and artillery strikes. Further southeast , Ukrainian defenses remain stable in Belgiyka north of Shevchenko, with no reported Russian gains.

Donbass Shifts: Russian Forces Open New Tactical Axis

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In the Southern Donetsk direction, the Ukrainian command has reinforced defensive lines with fresh reserves. According to unconfirmed Ukrainian reports, Ukrainian counterattacks allowed to partially repel Russian forces from Yalta and Voskresenka. While some Ukrainian sources deny these claims, reporting the front is stable.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are expanding their zone of control near the recently liberated Novokhatskoe, increasing pressure near Zeleny Gay in an attempt to reach Iskra.

 

 

In the Zaporozhzhie region, Russian forces have fully liberated Kamenske. The victory was officially confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. While Ukrainian forces maintain a defensive line west of Verbove, Russian tactical gains have allowed them to bring more Ukrainian supply routes under artillery fire. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes on Tokmak and Melitopol indicate Kyiv’s attempts to disrupt Russian rear logistics, though these efforts have yet to significantly slow Moscow’s advance.

 

 

The AFU have so far been unable to seize the initiative from Russian troops, with significant defensive vulnerabilities exposed. This is evidenced by the rapid Russian advances on ability to  east of Mirnograd. The need to maintain a well-prepared force grouping—including airmobile units—near the Kursk region further restricts the Ukranian command’s ability to redeploy these reserves to the Donbas sector.

At the same time, Russian forces have not yet achieved operational momentum comparable to their post-Avdiivka breakthrough in 2024. The coming weeks will be decisive for the summer 2025 campaign, shaping the trajectory for the subsequent winter phase.

While both sides continue offensive operations, Ukrainian personnel shortages remain critical, with no immediate solution in sight. The ability to reinforce frontline units will determine the next major battlefield shifts.

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Moshe Dayan

zelensky is fat buttocks dancing whore from village for old stinky men of europe pig lodge

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failed
Benedetto

ha fregato tutti dandogli un sacco di soldi e armi, e continuano a dare soldi chi è stupido è stupido.

Europa The Last Battle

in amerika our lgbt tactics fail to liberate mulatto ghettos

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hashed
Benedetto

lanciate 3 piccole bombe atomiche e finisce tutto.

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Europa The Lost Battle

amerikan tactics 20 years sodomy by taliban

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hashed
NATO Losers

it is now in the best interests of the globalist to make peace in ukraine they risk all of ukraine becoming part of russia adding to russia’s strength.

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RussiaPenetratedByNATO

poohtin’s diaper shifted from the weight…heheheh

Ghost Man

there was this polish dude in my high school whom i caught making out with my girlfriend in the bushes near the shores of lake michigan at a bonfire. with one punch, i promptly knocked him to the ground. as he’s sitting on his butt, on the ground, dazed and confused, i kept yelling at him to get back up. he told me if i do that, you’ll just knock me back down. the ukrainian fascists could learn something from this lesson.

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the narrative

the russian army continues to impress . the nato mafia continues to lose land experience inflation and lose personnel . ha !

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