Russia likely to concentrate assault in Toretsk direction - ISW
Russian army identifies a new priority direction for its offensive (Photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces have resumed mechanized assaults in the Toretsk direction, indicating a shift in enemy tactics and priorities, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On June 17, Russian forces carried out at least one mechanized assault in the direction of the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region, involving a unit roughly the size of a platoon.
According to geolocated footage released the same day, the assault took place west of the settlement of Yablunivka (to the west of Toretsk) and involved at least three armored vehicles and four motorized vehicles, likely all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Ukrainian military analyst Yuriy Butusov reported on June 18 that Russian forces also carried out a mechanized assault, reinforced to the level of a company, near the city of Kostyantynivka.
According to the analyst, Ukrainian units destroyed at least 15 pieces of heavy armored equipment and 8 motorized vehicles belonging to the enemy.
Motorcycles instead of armored vehicles
Experts note that since the winter of 2024–2025, Russian forces have reduced the frequency of mechanized assaults.
The main reasons are believed to be the high effectiveness of Ukrainian drones and the gradual depletion of Russia’s armored vehicle stockpiles. According to ISW analysts, Russia has slowed the use of Soviet-era tanks that were previously stored in reserves.
Amid declining availability of armored vehicles, the Russian command has increasingly relied on civilian transport, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles for assault operations. In April 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Defense officially initiated the integration of motorcycles into offensive missions.
According to ISW analysts, the recent mechanized activity near Toretsk may indicate that the Russian military command intends to shift its operational focus to this direction of the front.
Frontline situation and attacks
By the evening of June 19, a total of 136 combat engagements had taken place across the front. The highest number of clashes was recorded in the Pokrovsk direction.
Between June 17 and 18, Ukraine’s Armed Forces eliminated over 1,000 Russian soldiers in a single day.
During the night, Russian forces also launched drone attacks on Ukraine. Air raid alerts were declared in many regions across the east, center, south, and north of the country.
