Russia poured over 100,000 soldiers into Donetsk’s Pokrovsk front, a force analysts say could attack a European country. Yet Ukrainian defenders, reinforced by the elite Azov Brigade, halted the advance, regained lost settlements, and pushed the invaders back.
Ukrainian forces also cleared villages near Dobropillia, including Hruzke, Rubizhne, Novovodiane, Petrovka, Vesele, and Zolotyi Kolodiaz, dissecting the Russian push.
Russian forces suffered catastrophic losses attempting to sever Ukrainian supply lines in the Kurakhove direction by advancing on motorcycles and quad-bikes, destroyed by Ukrainian drone strikes and minefields.
Ukraine's military intelligence and mountain troops reportedly killed 12 Russian troops, captured two soldiers, and seized military documents in the operation.
Russians secured new positions across Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts. Ukrainian military pushed back Russian troops near Shevchenko settlement south of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian special forces' thunder runs through Kotlyne in Donetsk Oblast demolished Russian defensive cohesion, creating openings for paratroopers to recapture the settlement through methodical house-to-house clearing operations.
Precision drone and missile strikes eliminated Russian and North Korean officers, allowing Ukrainians to consolidate positions south of Sudzha and push further than expected.
The ongoing battles in Toretsk has highlighted the growing importance of FPV (First Person View) drones in urban combat. Ukrainian operators are using these agile devices to strike Russian soldiers with unprecedented precision, even as they attempt to seek cover inside buildings.