Russian troops have upped the intensity of their Donetsk Oblast offensive in recent weeks, increasingly pressuring a relatively large Ukrainian pocket between some of the last cities in the region. An unsettling situation for Ukrainian troops is now unfolding south of the town of Kostiantynivka, which has long served as
“The most intense situation is in Pokrovsk, Lyman, Toretsk, and Kursk directions,” the General Staff wrote. Sixty-five clashes were reported near Pokrovsk alone.
Key developments on March 31: * There's 'psychological deadline' for Putin to agree to Ukraine ceasefire, Trump says * Kremlin says it remains open to US talks despite Trump's reported anger at Putin * Ukraine-US talks on minerals deal ongoing, not tied to NATO membership, source says * Russia trying to bypass Ukraine's positions
"Since this is also a priority sector, the Russians are trying to use every chance to bypass Ukrainian troops," said Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces.
Among the casualties were airborne assault groups and drone operators.
Ukraine’s Azov Brigade captured 23 Russian soldiers during combat operations in the Toretsk area of Donetsk Oblast, the National Guard of Ukraine reported on Jan. 15.
Aerial reconnaissance footage posted by the brigade on Facebook shows a couple of alleged Russian soldiers dressed in civilian clothes. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the images.
According to Filashkin, Russian troops shelled the settlements of Donetsk Oblast 20 times over the past day, killing one person in the village of Hryshyne, not far from Pokrovsk.
Russia keeps on advancing in eastern Donetsk Oblast, taking hold of Kurakhove, which would become the first major town to fall into Russian hands in 2025. Russian troops are continuing to push on the Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove axes, Ukraine's General Staff said in its latest update.
Key developments on Jan. 4 - 5: * Ukraine launches new offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast, mixed reports surface on outcome * Russia launches over 300 drones, 20 missiles at Ukraine in first 3 days of new year, Zelensky says * Russian soldiers near Toretsk disguise as civilians to bypass Ukrainian positions, military
The commander's statement comes after reports on Russian forces starting to move toward the town of Toretsk.
Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said that fighting with the use of armored combat vehicles, motorcycles and buggies took place in the village of Nelipivka north of Toretsk.
According to the report, at around 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, Russian soldiers entered an apartment in a residential area of Toretsk and "deliberately" opened fire with automatic weapons on three civilians.
"At the moment, they do not have an advantage in these towns. The contact line is stabilized," said Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk.
"The situation in Toretsk has relatively stabilized. We (Ukrainian forces) are now holding the line unchanged," Anastasiia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said.
Key developments on Oct. 15: * North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia, Western source says * Russia may resume strikes on Ukraine's energy sector in autumn, winter, official warns * 'No intact buildings left' in Toretsk, accelerating Russian advance, military says * US lawmakers pressuring Zelensky to lower mobilization age, Presidential
"Now the town looks more like a desert planet: there are no shelters for civilians or soldiers," said Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk.
Key developments on Oct. 11: * Russia launched new push in Kursk Oblast, Kyiv claims attack 'thwarted' * Ukraine holds 40-50% of Toretsk, official says * Scholz unveils $1.5 billion allied aid package, delivers IRIS-T air defense system * Ukraine sets up supervisory boards for lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies Russian forces launched
Administration head Vasyl Chynchyk said that roughly 1,150 people remain in the ruined town.
Russia’s invading army is racing against the weather clock, trying to seize yet more towns in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region before the ground gets muddy this autumn and temperatures later plunge. The coal mining town of Toretsk is on the verge of falling to Moscow’s forces, an
Key developments on Oct. 8: * 'Fights taking place at every building entrance' as Russia enters eastern Toretsk, military says * France to deliver first Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine in early 2025 * Russian forces outnumbered Ukrainians tenfold in battle for Vuhledar, commander says * North Korea likely sending soldiers to Ukraine to
"The fighting is taking place within Toretsk itself. The situation is unstable; fights are ongoing literally at every building entrance," spokesperson Anastasia Bobovnikova said.
"At the time the brigade was deployed to the area, the situation on the front line was catastrophic," the Azov Brigade said on X.
Earlier, a video circulated on Telegram that showed three Ukrainian soldiers coming out of a basement with their hands up. The Ukrainians were then apprehended by Russian soldiers, placed face down on the ground and summarily shot.
The Ukrainian military said on Aug. 20 that clashes are ongoing at the village of Niu-York in Donetsk Oblast as multiple sources point to a rapid Russian advance deep into the settlement.
Russia targeted Toretsk, a front-line city suffering regular attacks, with artillery, killing a 71-year-old woman in the yard of her house.
"Despite the difficult, intense battles, the advance of our forces in Kursk Oblast continues," President Zelensky said.
Russian forces continue attacking Toretsk, and battles have now reached the outskirts of the town, military spokesperson Oleksandr Bordiian told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The front-line settlement of Niu-York lies just south of Toretsk, a town that has become one of the focal points of the Russian offensive in Donetsk Oblast.
Watch our exclusive report from Ukrainian infantry positions near Toretsk as Russia continues its push in Donetsk Oblast.
Since February, Russian forces have steadily advanced across multiple sectors of the front in Donetsk Oblast. They have occupied villages previously liberated by Ukraine, wiped out entire towns, and introduced new threats to the region's overall defense. Alongside Chasiv Yar, Niu York, and other towns, Russia aims to capture Toretsk,
Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. DONETSK OBLAST – There was already little resembling a road in front of the driver by the time the old pickup truck’s headlights were
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