Russia preparing fall offensive: ISW reveals Kremlin's new battlefield goals
Photo: Russia is preparing for an offensive (Russian media)
The Russian army is preparing for a fall offensive, as evidenced by the large-scale regrouping of the forces on the front. The Russian command is likely focusing efforts on capturing the rest of the Donetsk region, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to analysts, the Russian military command has redeployed relatively “elite” units of marines and airborne forces (VDV) to the Donetsk region from the northern Sumy region and the Kherson direction.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian defenders fighting in the Pokrovsk direction reported the arrival of fighters from the 155th Marine Brigade from the Kursk region.
Earlier, a Russian military blogger, likely linked to the Northern Grouping of Russian Forces, also claimed the transfer of the 177th Marine Regiment and the 40th Marine Brigade from the northern Sumy region.
As ISW noted, reports of redeployments indicate that the Russian offensive in the fall of 2025 will focus on efforts to capture the rest of the Donetsk region, particularly in the areas of Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, and Kostiantynivka.
“The Russian command’s redeployment of forces from northern Sumy region to Donetsk region suggests that Russia is deprioritizing its offensive operations in Sumy region.,” the report states.
Instead, the Russians have intensified attempts to encircle Pokrovsk, advance toward Dobropillia, and bypass Ukrainian fortifications from the west.
Experts emphasize that, in its efforts to achieve its goals, Russia is suffering significant losses, particularly in manpower.
The previous Russian offensive in the fall of 2024 was also concentrated in the Pokrovsk direction. This trend demonstrates the enemy’s slow advance and its inability to achieve desired results on the battlefield without enormous losses.
Situation in Donetsk region
According to the morning report of the General Staff, the heaviest fighting took place in the Pokrovsk direction — Ukrainian troops repelled 46 attacks. In the Toretsk direction, 8 attacks were recorded. In the Novopavlivka direction, the Russians carried out 24 assaults.
Ukrainian defenders managed to liberate the village of Novoekonomichne. It is located near Pokrovsk.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces have “very positive results in Donbas and are preparing unpleasant surprises for Russian troops.”
