Russian forces advance on Kurakhove and Pokrovsk in Ukraine's Donetsk region

Russian forces are pushing to break through Ukraine’s defences in the Donetsk region towards the towns of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. 

According to the available geolocated footage and reports by Ukrainian forces on the ground, Moscow troops recently advanced with two mechanised assault units south of Kurakhove. 

They have specifically advanced in northern and northeastern Dalne and the fields east and southeast of the town. 

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War think tank (ISW) said that Russian advances near Dalne are likely aimed at bypassing the string of settlements north of Vuhledar along the highway, which could have posed a notable challenge.

The think tank assesses that further Russian advances into Dalne and west of the settlement could force Ukrainian forces to withdraw from positions in the pocket north and northeast of Vuhledar.

This would allow Russian forces to advance along the highway relatively uncontested and further pressure Ukrainian positions in Kurakhove from the south.

Over the summer, the Kremlin concentrated its efforts on pushing towards Pokrovsk — an important logistics hub in the western part of the Donetsk region. Russian forces took the nearby town of Novohrodivka in August and are currently less than 7 kilometres from Pokrovsk. Kyiv rushed in reinforcements to try to stall Russia’s advance.

Russia might intensify assaults in Zaporizhzhia

Ukrainian military officials are warning that Russian forces may intensify assaults in the Zaporizhzhia region in the near future. 

Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn said that Russian forces are moving trained assault groups to forward positions in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region.

However, it is unclear if the Russian military intends to conduct a unified offensive operation or separate assaults.

Voloshyn specifically said that Russian forces are concentrating near Kamyanske, northwest of Robotyne and south of Zaporizhzhia City, Hulyaipole, which is northeast of Robotyne, and Robotyne itself. 

Moscow has increased the number of air strikes in southern Ukraine by 30 to 40% in the past two to three weeks.