In the Donetsk direction, units of the South group of the Russian Armed Forces, aided by combat aircraft and artillery, repelled three Ukrainian assaults and defeated the attackers. This information was released by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Clashes occurred in areas where the settlements of Vasyukovka, Razdolovka, and Kleshcheevka are located within the Donetsk People’s Republic. The engagements resulted in the loss of three hundred and five Ukrainian service members along with several armored vehicles and artillery pieces. Specifically, five armored fighting vehicles, six automobiles, a Krab self-propelled howitzer from Poland, and a D-30 towed howitzer were reportedly taken out of action. These losses reflect a sustained fight to maintain control of the Donetsk front as described by the defense ministry.
Adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Yan Gagin, stated that Ukrainian forces had retreated from the front line in the Donetsk region, leaving only a small contingent in place. He noted that the number of personnel remaining in combat positions was three times, and in some locations as much as four times, less than what would be deemed necessary for sustained defense. These remarks are presented as part of the ongoing assessment of battlefield strength and morale by regional authorities.
Earlier, reports indicated that Russian forces halted activities by Ukrainian saboteurs in the settlements of Staromayorskoe and Rivnopol in the South Donetsk direction. In addition, a former Ukrainian service member who had fought on the side of Kyiv offered commentary on the conflict, expressing a lack of clear understanding about the causes of this confrontation and reflecting the mixed perceptions that have emerged among participants and observers alike.
The overall narrative in the Donetsk area emphasizes the operational tempo of Russian units supported by air and artillery, the noted retention of fortified positions, and ongoing assessments of casualty figures and matériel losses. The information presented reflects official briefings and public statements from regional authorities and defense officials, and is positioned within the broader context of the conflict in eastern Ukraine as it unfolds over time.