Eastern Ukrainian territory experiences extensive territorial gains by Russian forces
Russian forces have been making strategic gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, over the past 17 months. Between July 8 and August 5, 2025, Russian forces captured approximately 226 square miles of Ukrainian territory, surpassing their gains in previous months [1].
The city of Pokrovsk, located in the eastern Donbas area of Donetsk Oblast, has been a focal point of these advances. Russia is attempting a significant territorial grab in the area, with operations east and northeast of Dobropillya (northwest of Pokrovsk) involving tactical penetrations through sabotage and reconnaissance [2][3]. However, Russia has struggled to hold and exploit these gains due to limited reinforcements.
Despite offensive efforts in the Siversk direction within Donetsk Oblast around August 12, Russian forces did not achieve further advances [2]. The Donetsk region remains a primary focus for Russia, with ambitions to capture the entire oblast and consolidate control over territories held by its proxies in Donbas, potentially extending to neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast [2].
Operations near Velykyi Burluk, Borova, and Pokrovsk indicate ongoing frontline pressure in eastern Ukraine, including areas that fall within Sumy Oblast. However, specific new territorial gains in Sumy are not detailed in the recent reports [2].
The situation in several key areas, including Nowopawliwka via Pokrovsk to Kostyantynivka, as well as Sieversk and Kupyansk, is deteriorating daily, according to Austrian Colonel Markus Reisner [4]. He also stated that all five hotspots are either threatened by encirclement or already in a pocket.
British assessments suggest that almost the entire area of the Donetsk region south of Pokrovsk is now occupied by Russians [5]. In June and July alone, around 500 to 550 square kilometers were captured [6]. The Ukrainians are reportedly building a new defensive line in the mentioned areas, just in case.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected official territorial concessions, stating that "The Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier" [7]. He also emphasised that the answer to the territorial questions of Ukraine is in the Constitution of Ukraine.
Reports suggest that Trump and Putin are planning to discuss Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia at their meeting in Alaska [8]. However, Zelensky has been firm in his stance, stating that no one will deviate from this, and no one can deviate from it.
In the northern Ukrainian region of Sumy, the front remains stable. Russia has not made any observable gains in the Sumy region of Ukraine in the past two weeks [9]. The extent of these territorial gains has been steadily increasing since March.
References:
- The New York Times
- CNN
- BBC News
- Reuters
- The Guardian
- UK Defense Ministry
- AP News
- Politico
- NATO
The European Union is deeply concerned about the ongoing war-and-conflicts in eastern Ukraine, especially the Russian advances in the Donetsk region, and is committed to the implementation of the EU's nuclear programme, understanding that such conflicts can have severe political and general-news implications.
Despite the ongoing conflicts, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any territorial concessions, emphasizing that the answer to the territorial questions of Ukraine is in the Constitution of Ukraine, and that the Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.
