The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve as the country gradually retreats in Donetsk to protect its soldiers while simultaneously resisting Russian offensives along the front line. Ukraine has also received its first F-16 fighter jets from Western allies, a step that could shift the balance of power in the air, which is critical for developments on the ground.
Ukrainian forces are working to establish 15 new battalions, hoping they can launch a counteroffensive to regain areas that have been captured by Russia. Fighting is particularly intense in the central part of Donetsk province, a region that has seen some of the bloodiest battles of the war.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Pokrovsk, a city located 20 km west of a Russian salient near Avdiivka, is the focus of Russian attacks. According to Zelenskyy, “the largest number of personnel and weapons” has amassed in this direction, making it a primary target for Russia. On August 4, Russian forces announced that they had taken control of Vesele, located at the end of the salient. The apparent objective is to reach Sloviansk, a strategically important city that, along with Kramatorsk, is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s defense in Donetsk.
Ukrainian generals have reported increasing Russian assaults near Toretsk, a city situated 50 km east of Pokrovsk. They announced that 80 percent of the Russian attacks were concentrated there. Simultaneously, fighting has also intensified in Chasiv Yar, a ridge that Ukrainians have fiercely defended to prevent Russian advances towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Although the Ukrainians put up a resistance, the reality is that they are facing superior strength. Ukrainian officials have acknowledged they must withdraw from Chasiv Yar, marking a significant setback. “Chasiv Yar is yet another Ukrainian city that has effectively ceased to exist following the so-called ‘liberation,'” wrote a Ukrainian unit on social media.
It is a costly war, and the commander of the Ukrainian army reported 8,220 Russian casualties in one week, including 67 tanks and 160 infantry fighting vehicles, which is typical of current warfare. President Vladimir Putin’s goal of capturing Donetsk and Luhansk by February, which marks the second anniversary of the war, appears to be at stake. In June, he announced he would only accept a ceasefire and peace negotiations if Ukraine surrendered these provinces along with Zaporizhia and Kherson.
Generally, Ukrainian soldiers in the Pokrovsk area find themselves in a difficult position, being at a disadvantage both in manpower and equipment, especially concerning air power and artillery. The slow but steady Russian advance in Donetsk illustrates the effectiveness of Putin’s strategy to undermine Ukraine’s offensive initiatives.
Casualty figures for both sides and the overall military dynamics will undoubtedly have long-term implications for the conflict. However, Ukraine’s decision to employ drones in offensive operations may prove crucial in regaining operational capability and positioning in the war.
Ukrainian drones have effectively targeted enemy infrastructure, including the loss of a Russian submarine and several aviation facilities. President Zelenskyy has insisted it is vital to strike Russian airbases, as Russia has widely deployed glide bombs against Ukraine.
As the conflict continues, it seems that both strategies and military capacities will play a central role in how the battle for Donetsk unfolds in the near future.