Russia, as per Zelensky's statements, is gearing up for a fresh attack.
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As the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues into August 2025, the situation remains volatile, with intense fighting particularly in the Donbass region and western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
In the Donbass region, Russian forces have made some recent advances, gaining Ukrainian territory—241 square miles during July 15 to August 12, 2025, which is a 7% increase over the previous period. Russia seeks total control over the region, and fighting is ongoing, although diplomacy efforts continue without decisive outcomes as of late August.
Regarding Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces have continued offensive operations in the western part of the oblast near Orikhiv, with attacks reported around areas such as Mala Tokmachka, Nesteryanka, Novoandriivka, Stepnohirsk, Kamyanske, and Plavni. However, no significant advances were made on August 18, 2025. Ukrainian forces have also conducted counterattacks near Dobropillya, south of Donetsk in the Donetsk Oblast adjacent to Zaporizhzhia, liberating settlements like Zapovidne and Dorozhnie, indicating active Ukrainian resistance and some recent territorial recoveries.
Specifically for Pokrovsk, which lies in the Donetsk part of the Donbass region, the situation remains contested and volatile, with detailed recent updates being less explicit in the available reports.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is preparing new offensives on three fronts, one of which targets Saporizhzhia. He also states that Russia is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbass region for a potential ceasefire, a demand he learned from U.S. sources. However, Zelensky rejects this demand, stating that territorial issues should only be discussed after Russia agrees to a ceasefire.
To counter these Russian advances, Ukraine has deployed additional troops to the Pokrovsk region in the east and to counter the sabotage units behind Ukrainian lines. The Russian army is attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian lines in small groups, according to the Ukrainian military's General Staff spokesperson. A withdrawal from the region would abandon crucial defense lines and pave the way for further Russian offensives, according to Zelensky.
Despite these military efforts, diplomatic efforts toward peace remain inconclusive as of mid-August 2025, with security guarantees for Ukraine under discussion but unresolved. The overall operational situation demonstrates continued active combat with no clear, stable front lines, highlighting both Ukrainian counteroffensives and persistent Russian attempts to consolidate territorial gains.
- Politics and general news headlines in August 2025 might reportedly focus on the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, particularly the unresolved fighting in the Donbass region and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where no clear, stable front lines have been established.
- Diplomacy efforts regarding the war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, mainly focusing on a potential ceasefire and territorial issues, remain inconclusive as of mid-August 2025, with Russia reportedly demanding Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the Donbass region while President Volodymyr Zelensky rejects this demand.
