Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Additionally, the Ukrainian counteroffensice has put 1000 Russian troops at risk of encirclement.
Additionally, the Ukrainian counter offensive has put 1000 Russian troops at risk of encirclement.
What is happening?
According to The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has abandoned its attempt to exploit the penetration northeast of Dobropillya.
The 51st Combined Arms Army is now preparing fresh assaults toward Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, reverting to earlier operational plans after its Dobropillya push faltered.
A narrow, unsustainable salient
Russian military bloggers, who once highlighted the penetration near Dobropillya, have largely gone quiet on the topic.
Many had warned the salient was too narrow and vulnerable to Ukrainian counterattacks.
Without widening the flanks or establishing supply lines, Russian forces could not consolidate their gains — and now appear to be shifting their efforts elsewhere.
Ukrainian forces push East of Dobropillya
Ukrainian troops have continued applying pressure on Russian positions east and northeast of Dobropillya.
On August 25, military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets confirmed that Ukrainian units seized Nove Shakhove and Zapovidne, settlements on the western edge of the Russian penetration in the area.
These gains mark a significant step in pushing Russian forces back from key routes and positions.
Strategic gains along the highway
Mashovets reported that Ukrainian units forced Russian troops from defensive positions near the T-0514 Dobropillya–Kramatorsk highway.
Ukrainian forces also advanced south of Vesele and nearly cleared Kucheriv Yar, further limiting Russia’s hold on territory east of Dobropillya.
Weeks of steady clearing operations
These advances follow more than a week of steady clearing operations.
Since August 15, Ukrainian officials have reported continued success in reclaiming settlements at both the northern and southern edges of the Russian penetration.
Volodymyrivka recaptured
On August 24, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that troops had seized Volodymyrivka, southeast of Dobropillya.
Taken together, gains on both the eastern and western bases of the penetration suggest that Russian forces are failing to widen their salient — a crucial step to sustain its depth.
Russian troops at risk of encirclement
Mashovets noted that Ukrainian counterattacks now threaten to encircle elements of Russia’s 51st Combined Arms Army operating north of the Zapovidne–Mayak–Volodymyrivka line.
Russian commanders reportedly scrambled to form an assault group aimed at breaking through Ukrainian lines to rescue these units.
Russian defensive efforts falter
Elements of the 1st Motorized Rifle Brigade attempted to regroup and hold ground near Zapovidne but struggled to withstand Ukrainian advances.
Similarly, forces from Russia’s 8th Combined Arms Army tried to outflank Ukrainian troops near Volodymyrivka but failed to reverse the momentum.
Recent developments suggest Russian defensive efforts at the base of the penetration are collapsing.
