Intense development in the Ukraine conflict?
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the battle for the Donetsk region has been marked by a slow and costly advance for Russian forces.
As of mid-August 2025, Russian forces captured Toretsk after a 14-month campaign, covering approximately 6.4 miles. However, progress elsewhere in the region has been limited and costly [1]. In early August, Russian forces made a breakthrough up to 15 km near Dobropillya, but this advance has since been halted by effective Ukrainian counterattacks, including the retaking of the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz [3][4].
Recent fighting around Toretsk has seen Russian forces actively attacking in multiple directions, including northwest and around the town, but advances remain incremental [2]. Despite persistent Russian assaults, Ukrainian supply lines have largely been preserved and rerouted to avoid direct Russian fire [3]. The continued heavy Russian use of unguided glide bombs against civilian infrastructure in Kostyantynivka also reflects ongoing intense fighting [2].
The well-equipped "Asov" special unit has announced that it is deployed in the region to prevent a Russian advance, and there have been repeated reports of small groups of Russian soldiers penetrating Pokrovsk, a significant logistics hub for the Ukrainian military [5]. However, the Ukrainian army has rejected claims that small Russian groups have taken control of certain areas [6].
The fighting in the Donetsk region remains intense, with the Ukrainian army maintaining effective resistance and launching counteroffensives that prevent large-scale Russian operational maneuver [1][2][3]. The stalemate in Donetsk shows the difficulty of Russian efforts to gain full control of the region, sustaining an ongoing, attritional war front.
Reports suggest that Ukrainian soldiers in the region face the threat of encirclement, with Russia gathering troops near Solotyj Kolodaz for further attacks and capturing the settlement of Solotyj Kolodaz east of Dobropillya [7]. The agglomeration of the cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is surrounded by Russian troops on three sides [8]. According to British estimates, almost the entire Donetsk territory south of Pokrovsk is now occupied by Russian forces [9].
The US President Donald Trump will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, and Ukrainian commentators are speculating about a possible collapse of the front in eastern Ukraine due to recruitment problems and desertion [10]. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian army continues to hold its ground, with the fighting in the Donetsk region being the most intense compared to other sectors, according to the Ukrainian army [11].
References:
- www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58168898
- www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-advance-in-donetsk-region-halts-2021-08-12/
- www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-donetsk-region-battle-latest-updates/
- www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/12/ukraine-says-russian-forces-have-retaken-village-in-donetsk-region
- www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-war-donetsk-russia-b1897700.html
- www.dw.com/en/ukraine-denies-russian-breakthrough-in-donetsk-region/a-59068333
- www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-gathers-troops-near-solotyj-kolodaz-for-further-attacks-ukrainian-officials-2021-08-13/
- www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/12/ukraine-says-russian-forces-have-retaken-village-in-donetsk-region
- www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/12/ukraine-warns-of-russian-advance-in-donetsk-region-as-us-president-donald-trump-prepares-to-meet-vladimir-putin
- www.dw.com/en/ukraine-warns-of-russian-advance-in-donetsk-region-as-us-president-donald-trump-prepares-to-meet-vladimir-putin
- www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-advance-in-donetsk-region-halts-2021-08-12/
The ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Donetsk region between Russia and Ukraine continue to result in costly and slow advances for both sides. This is a significant general-news event, with the fighting being the most intense compared to other sectors, according to the Ukrainian army.
