Moscow and Kyiv continue to shape the fighting in southern and eastern Ukraine as Kyiv expects a counteroffensive around Kherson while Russian forces push to encircle Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Donbas remains a key Ukrainian stronghold.
“Russian forces are strengthening their positions” in Zaporizhia and Kherson, according to a daily update from the US-based Institute for the Study of War, which says preparations are underway for Ukraine’s anticipated counterattacks.
Russians consolidating in the south
Oleksandr Starukh, head of the Zaporizhia Regional Administration, notes that Russian troops are digging in near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest of its kind in Europe. Military equipment has been deployed in surrounding towns as a precaution against Ukrainian moves in the south.
Dmytro Orlov, head of Energodar’s administration, reports strikes on settlements in neighboring Dnipropetrovsk as part of a broader plan to deter Ukrainian offensives in the region.
Social media footage and reporting suggest Russian forces are moving tanks and armored vehicles toward Kherson to secure positions there. Ukrainian artillery reportedly damaged at least two bridges over the Dnieper in recent days.
Russian soldiers in Kherson and the surrounding areas have been documented in photos and captions, underscoring ongoing activity in the region.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the General Directorate of Military Intelligence indicates that Russia has partially resumed work on a concrete plant in Melitopol to bolster defensive lines and to rebuild shooting positions and an airport in the city.
Arestovich, an adviser to Ukraine’s president, says Russian troops have received reinforcements in the south, moving artillery and aviation into the area and pressing Ukrainian infantry along that front. He notes a three-day influx of large quantities of soldiers and equipment, including air defense systems, toward Kherson.
He also reports that Russian forces continue to defend along the southern front near the Southern Bug river, with the Ukrainian General Staff prioritizing efforts to halt any advance. Artillery and tanks are a constant threat along the front line, according to his briefing.
Ukrainian commanders also report Russian aviation activity around Velike Artakove, Kaluga and Olhine, in addition to ongoing drone reconnaissance operations.
Actions in Donetsk
In Donetsk, Ukrainian forces say Russian troops are concentrating their main forces and preparing for attacks around Siversk and Soledar, while stockpiling ammunition and fuel to sustain operations in the area.
Russian artillery has targeted Ukrainian defenders toward Kramatorsk, a key Kyiv stronghold in Donetsk, with confirmed airstrikes around Spirne and Serebrianka in the nearby Bakhmut region. Ukrainian forces say they have repelled several enemy assaults in Spirne and the Svyati Hora sanctuary, pushing back the attackers in several engagements.
A market scene in Donetsk has been captured in recent reports, illustrating daily life amid the ongoing conflict.
Russian authorities have stated they are preparing for intensified attacks in Donetsk, which has emerged as a primary objective for Moscow. Spokespersons report strikes on military targets and high-precision missile launches against positions associated with Ukrainian forces, including bases linked to foreign units.
There are claims of significant casualties and material losses on the Ukrainian side as the conflict continues to unfold across Donetsk. Officials describe ongoing bombardments against motorized units and command posts in the region.
Odessa and Mykolaiv under pressure
Odessa and Mykolaiv remain critical ports for grain exports and continue to face pressure from Russian actions intended to hinder Ukraine’s supply routes. Kyiv accuses Moscow of undermining diplomatic efforts and the Istanbul grain deal, even as Russia maintains it targets only military objectives.
Russian forces conducted strikes that damaged railway infrastructure, a commercial vehicle facility, and several civilian buildings, according to Ukrainian regional authorities. The toll included damage to several civilian structures as the bombardment persisted.
In response, Kyiv said grain exports by sea would resume soon, with the first shipments expected to depart under the previously established framework that could move roughly three million tons monthly. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that export operations would begin in Istanbul with a Russian delegation led by Rear Admiral Eduard Luyk, as part of the coordination process to facilitate the program’s practical steps.
The region’s military command notes that Russian experts will participate in coordinating efforts in Istanbul, aiming to ensure the smooth execution of the grain-export initiative.