Russians advanced near Donetsk's Siversk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in western Zaporizhia Oblast, ISW says.
Deeps State project reported Russian gains near eight localities, while ISW's analysis included geolocated movements near Bilohorivka, Vuhledar, and Malaya Loknya.
Russian forces claim 1500 sq km advance, as they suffer the highest losses of the war: 1,345 daily casualties, 200 tanks, 650 armored vehicles through October.
Russian forces concentrate a five-pronged offensive around the vital N15 highway, as Ukrainian 33rd and 79th Brigades race to prevent encirclement with potential for later push on Pokrovsk.
A battalion-sized Russian mechanized assault involving over 100 troops and multiple armored vehicles resulted in territorial gains southeast of Siversk despite significant losses.
Close-range encounters, occurring with alarming frequency across the 700-mile front, reveal how hasty planning and poor leadership are exposing Russian troops to extreme risk.
The Russian military can sustain deployments of 600 troops per week for assaults near Selydove, demonstrating significant reserve capacity in the area, a Ukrainian commander reports.
Geolocated footage shows Russian forces raising their flag over two key administrative buildings in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces advanced in multiple areas of Kursk Oblast, according to the ISW.
Russian forces have broken through Ukrainian positions in multiple locations near Pokrovsk and Vuhledar, securing several key settlements and strategic points.
Russian forces crossed multiple gullies, lowlands, and rivers in their attempt to encircle Vadar, while Ukrainians held the high ground on opposing hill ridges.
Ukraine's military strategy in Donbas involves a slow, controlled retreat from key towns, aiming to inflict maximum casualties on Russian forces while preserving its own troops. This approach seeks to exhaust Russia's resources in a prolonged war of attrition.
Two elite Russian naval infantry brigades may have lost up to 40% of their pre-war strength in failed assaults on the Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, according to an analysis by BBC.
President Zelenskyy justifies Ukraine's withdrawal from Vuhledar as a necessary step to preserve soldiers' lives, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the war. Meanwhile, NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte makes his first official visit to Kyiv, affirming the alliance's commitment to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy justified the Ukrainian Armed Forces' withdrawal from Vuhledar as a necessary step to preserve soldiers' lives during a press conference in Kyiv.