Military: Ukraine withdraws from Stepove and Severne villages near Avdiivka
The two villages are located north of Lastochkyne, which was occupied by Russian troops on Feb. 26.
Donetsk Oblast
Ukraine reports heavy battles in Bakhmut direction as Russia pulls in reserves
Intense fighting is taking place in the Bakhmut sector in Donetsk Oblast, as Russian forces are attempting to advance toward nearby Chasiv Yar, Eastern Group of Forces spokesperson Illia Yevlash said on air on Feb. 27.
Military: Ukraine withdraws from Lastochkyne near Avdiivka
Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the village of Lastochkyne near the recently captured Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria Group, said on national television on Feb. 26.
Russian attack destroys Kostiantynivka Central Station in Donetsk Oblast
A Russian overnight attack completely destroyed the Kostiantynivka Central Station in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia reported on Feb. 25.
Russian attacks in Donetsk, Kherson oblasts kill 2, injure 21
Russian attacks against Ukraine’s Kherson and Donetsk oblasts killed two people and injured another 21 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Feb. 23.
Russian attack kills 1, injures 9 in Donetsk Oblast village
A Russian attack on the village of Kostiantynopolske in Donetsk Oblast killed one person and injured nine others, including four children, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on Feb. 22.
Budanov: Russia lacks strength to fully capture Luhansk, Donetsk oblasts in 2024
Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov noted that despite recent advances, the Russian military also faces problems. With its professional army largely destroyed in the first year of the full-scale war, Moscow resorts to using waves of untrained conscripts.
BBC: Ukrainian HIMARS strike in occupied Donetsk Oblast kills dozens of Russian troops
Ukrainian troops launched two HIMARS missiles against a Russian military training ground in occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast's Volnovakha district where Russian troops were stationed, killing at least 60, the BBC reported on Feb. 21, citing undisclosed sources.
Media: Explosions, fire reported in Russian-occupied Makiivka
Sounds of explosions were reported in Russian-occupied Makiivka in Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 19, with local Telegram channels publishing footage of black smoke rising above the city.
Biden: US Congress to blame for fall of Avdiivka
"This morning, Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months," the White House statement said.
UPDATE: 2 dead in Russian missile attack on Kramatorsk, Sloviansk
The attack killed a woman in her late 40s and a 23-year-old man. Other victims are believed to be trapped in the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Russian missile attack on Kramatorsk, Sloviansk kills woman
Russia targeted Kramatorsk at around 8 p.m. with three missiles, hitting the industrial zone and residential areas, the governor reported.
Syrskyi withdraws Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi published a statement announcing his decision to withdraw Ukrainian units from the heavily battered city.
Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade confirms redeployment to Avdiivka, says situation 'extremely critical'
After arriving in Avdiivka, some battalions of the Third Assault Brigade raided the Russian-held parts of the city, inflicting "critical losses" to two Russian brigades, the Ukrainian brigade said on Telegram.
Russian attack on Donetsk Oblast town kills 2, injures 1
Russia launched an attack against Mykolaivka in Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 14, killing two women aged 62 and 74 and injuring one person, said Governor Vadym Filashkin.
SBU detains suspected spy who allegedly aided Russian strike on Pokrovsk district on Jan. 6
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a Russian military intelligence informant who collected data on Ukraine’s military and adjusted Russian fire on civilian infrastructure in Donetsk Oblast, the SBU's press service reported on Feb. 7.
'Just hold on’: Front-line medics race against time to save wounded soldiers
Editor’s note: Military medics interviewed for this story are only identified by first name due to security reasons. DONETSK OBLAST – With its sirens blaring through the narrow and bumpy road, an ambulance speeds off to the closest front-line makeshift hospital in northeastern Ukraine. “How many more minutes?” wounded 39-year-old
Surviving Avdiivka: Russia intensifies assault on city deemed a ‘second Bakhmut’
AVDIIVKA, Donetsk Oblast – Avdiivka is an eerie city to drive into in March 2023. One year into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, but nine years into the Donbas war, the compact city just 10 kilometers from the center of occupied Donetsk is barely holding on. There is little choice
Bakhmut-bound infantry assault troops: 'We are holding on, ready for any scenario’
Editor's note: The Kyiv Independent is not revealing the soldiers' full names or the exact location of their deployment due to security concerns amid the ongoing war. Donetsk Oblast – Just a few dozen kilometers from Bakhmut, Ukrainian infantry train to ready themselves for brutal days ahead. Nearly 20 soldiers from
Brigade that spent 2 months in Bakhmut: ‘It was becoming harder each week’
Editor’s note: The Kyiv Independent is not revealing the soldiers’ full names or the exact location of their deployment due to security concerns amid the ongoing war. DONETSK OBLAST – At a cottage-turned-base some two kilometers from the front lines in Donetsk Oblast, soldiers from Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade lay
One night in Bakhmut: Civilians wait for the end as Russia draws closer
Editor’s Note: This piece tells the story of the lives of civilians and first responders in Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, directly through the personal experience of a Kyiv Independent reporter who stayed overnight in the embattled city in January, traveling together with a colleague from Moldova. BAKHMUT, Donetsk Oblast – Moments
Russia moves into Soledar, making rare progress amid stalled offensive
The small salt-mining town of Soledar is on the verge of being occupied by Russian troops after months of heavy fighting. Occupying the "practically destroyed" town would constitute the Kremlin's largest success since July, potentially endangering Ukraine's positions in neighboring Bakhmut. It will, however, have little impact on the war's
Destruction, isolation, and controversy in frontline monastery of Sviatohirsk
SVIATOHIRSK, Donetsk Oblast – For centuries, the gleaming whitewashed walls of the Sviatohirsk Dormition Lavra, peeking out of the hilly forest above the Siverskyi Donets River, attracted pilgrims from across the Eastern Orthodox world. Now, in an obscene imitation of a Jackson Pollock painting, they stand in many places splattered with
Surrounded and desperate: How Russia lost Lyman
LYMAN, Donetsk Oblast – On a quiet road lined by pine forest leading into the city of Lyman, the remains of a frantic but unsuccessful escape clutter the roadside. Four repurposed civilian cars, burnt-out and upturned, mark the spot where the flight of Russian soldiers met an abrupt end. Just beside
As Russia destroys Donbas, people leave homes in mandatory evacuation drive (PHOTOS)
Editor's note: The photos were provided by Alex Chan Tsz Yuk, a Hong Kong-based photojournalist, now covering the war in Ukraine. Heavy Russian bombardment continues to pummel eastern Donetsk Oblast nearly six months into the full-scale war. Russian forces have fired missiles and shells across the entire region, indiscriminately killing
Ukrainian forces hold off Russians in Donetsk Oblast
KRAMATORSK, Donetsk Oblast – The perfect sunny spring morning in Donetsk Oblast was marred by the constant explosions going off every few minutes a dozen kilometers away. The blasts were varied, coming from artillery and rocket barrages from both sides. A half-dozen soldiers held this outpost a short distance away from
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