In the Donetsk region, Russian and Ukrainian forces engage in a shifting frontline near Avdeevka and Maryinka
The armed forces of the Russian Federation have reported ongoing activity in the areas surrounding Avdeevka and Maryinka, towns in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Broadcast channels have been carrying updates on these developments, with Russian state media citing statements from regional leaders to describe the situation on the ground. According to a recent broadcast discussed by Denis Pushilin, who serves as vice president of the region, Russian units have been advancing in the Maryinsky direction, though he characterized the progress as gradual rather than rapid. He estimated the gains in territorial terms as amounts measured in hundreds of meters, noting that each chunk of territory reclaimed from Ukrainian forces has held strategic significance within the broader course of hostilities. This perspective was presented to viewers as part of a broader briefing on front-line events. When addressing the pace of activity, Pushilin emphasized that tactical advances in Maryinka are incremental and that the captured positions have contributed to shaping subsequent operations on the battlefield. He also asserted that Russian forces have been able to disrupt Ukrainian attempts to hold ground, either by eliminating enemy defenders or by securing footholds for continued operations. These claims were echoed in the same broadcast, serving to frame the current phase of the confrontation as one where steady progress can influence later stages of the campaign, even if gains appear modest on a daily basis [Source: Russia 24].
Elsewhere in the Donetsk region, Pushilin indicated that there have not been significant changes within the Avdiivka sector. He reported that Russian troops have withstood a high volume of Ukrainian assaults and have managed to repel numerous enemy strikes, while also destroying some of Kyiv’s military equipment. The remarks suggest a protective posture in Avdiivka, where defense and counter-maneuvering are cited as crucial elements in preserving positions against repeated Ukrainian offensives [Source: Russia 24].
In addition, Pushilin commented on attempts by Ukrainian forces to establish a foothold near the city of Artemivsk. He described Kyiv’s objective as seizing elevated terrain in the vicinity, a strategy that would give Ukrainian forces advantageous firing positions and observation points. According to the deputy head of the district, Russian units responded by forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw to positions that had already been secured earlier, thereby preventing a successful flanking maneuver or consolidation of new gains. This account highlights the ongoing contest over high ground and the critical role such terrain plays in shaping combat dynamics along this segment of the front [Source: Russia 24].
Earlier reports from Russian military sources claimed that two points where Ukrainian forces were temporarily deployed on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic had been eliminated. The assertion points to a pattern of targeted strikes and engagements aimed at degrading Ukrainian operational capabilities in the region. While such statements are part of the regular cadence of battlefield briefings, they underscore the persistence of efforts to disrupt Ukrainian forces as they maneuver and consolidate positions in contested areas. The overall narrative presented through these updates emphasizes a continued emphasis on reclaiming ground, repelling counterattacks, and denying Ukrainian forces the ability to stabilize fronts in key locales [Source: Russia 24].