The National Guard of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have announced the recovery of 6 villages in Donetsk, Ukraine, advancing up to 1,000 meters in the Yablunivka area of the Sumy region.
Ukraine Attacks
In a press release by the Ukrainian forces, particularly the 1st Corps of the National Guard, the Ukrainian army reported their success in retaking positions near Rubizhne, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, Vesele, Vilne Shakhove, Nikanorivka, and Sukhotske.
Villages such as Stepne, Novokostiantynivka, and Bezsalivka have been liberated, according to official statements, marking a reversal of Russian invasions that began earlier in the month.
Between August 4 and 16, Ukraine conducted coordinated strikes with Armed Forces brigades in Donetsk as assault and search-and-strike groups carried out operations in Pokrovsk.
The move came just a day after the Trump-Putin summit, where a controversial “land swap” proposal was reportedly discussed.
The deal would have ceded parts of Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia in exchange for Russian withdrawal from Sumy and Kharkiv.
Russian forces attempted a deep push near Dobropillia, aiming to isolate Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk, two vital logistical hubs, but Ukrainian troops successfully repelled this advance, maintaining control over Pokrovsk and securing supply lines.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine report that from August 4 to 16, as a result of combat operations on the front line, the Russian troops suffered losses of approximately 36,000 personnel, including 1,336 irrecoverable losses.
The heaviest losses were sustained by Russian forces in the following directions: Pokrovsk, Kurakhiv, Novopokrovsk, Petrykivka, Vesely, and Zolota Kolodiaz.
As per the Ukrainian army, Russia suffered significant personnel losses, including:
- Irrecoverable: 910 personnel
- Sanitary: 335 personnel
- Captured: 37 personnel
During the specified period, 8 tanks, 6 armored combat vehicles, 103 units of automotive and motorcycle equipment, 1 MLRS, 18 artillery pieces, and 91 UAVs of various types belonging to Russia were destroyed or damaged by Ukraine.
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The success of the offensive has reportedly boosted Ukrainian morale and confidence in their defensive strategy.
Northern Front Advances
Ukrainian forces have advanced approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in the northeastern part of Sumy Oblast, pushing Russian troops back and reclaiming contested territory.
This advance is seen as a notable tactical success, especially given the proximity to the Russian border and the historical vulnerability of Sumy to cross-border incursions.
The offensive disrupted Russian defensive positions and logistics, weakening their ability to reinforce or regroup in the region.
The 117th Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces played a key role, using Ukrainian-made 120mm mortars and coordinated infantry manoeuvres to dislodge Russian units.
Way Forward
Ukrainian General Staff stated that the operation was part of a broader effort to liberate settlements and destroy enemy positions in the north.
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President Zelensky publicly praised the 1st Corps as well as several other units fighting in the Donetsk region.
“We are defending our positions along the entire front line. For the second day in a row, we have achieved successes in some extremely difficult areas in the Donetsk region.”
One notable trend highlighted by Ukrainian forces is the increasing number of Russian troops surrendering.
Units of Ukraine’s 19th Army Corps operating in Donetsk confirmed that six Russian soldiers gave themselves up in a single day.
Ukrainian officials argue that these surrenders reflect mounting exhaustion and declining morale among Russian assault units, which have faced high attrition in prolonged battles around Pokrovsk and neighboring settlements.
Prisoners, they say, are also a valuable source of intelligence on enemy movements and supply chains.
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