Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of Оctober 21
Illustrative photo: Defense inflicts heavy losses on Russian forces (Getty Images)
Since the start of October 20, there have been 151 combat engagements along the frontline. Russian forces are exerting the greatest pressure on two sectors of the front in the Donetsk region, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian strikes and frontline situation
Russian forces launched two missile and 39 air strikes, using six missiles and dropping 85 guided aerial bombs. They also deployed 1,960 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,049 attacks on populated areas and Ukrainian positions.
Frontline updates
In the North Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, Ukrainian defenders repelled one attack. Russian forces launched six air strikes, dropped 15 guided bombs, and conducted 133 shelling attacks.
In the South Slobozhanskyi direction, Ukrainian troops held back 12 assaults near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Stroivka, Kamyanka, Zapadne, and toward Bologivka and Kolodyazne; one engagement is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled six attacks near Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, Zelenyi Hai, Nova Kruhliakivka, and toward Petropavlivka and Kurylivka; three engagements are still in progress.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops stopped 14 Russian assaults near Hrekivka, Kopanky, Karpivka, Serednie, Kolodyazi, Derylove, Myrne, and Novoselivka. Three more clashes continue.
In the Sloviansk direction, Russian forces attempted to advance five times near Serebrianka, Novoselivka, Vyimka, and Pereizne.
In the Kramatorsk direction, no offensive actions have been recorded.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian forces launched 24 assaults near Bila Hora, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, and Rusyn Yar. Ukraine’s Defence Forces repelled 22 attacks, with fighting still ongoing in two locations.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces carried out 53 offensive actions near Nykonorivka, Mayak, Sukhetske, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, Mykolaivka, Promin, Lysivka, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, Kotliarivka, Orikhove, and Dachne. Four clashes are still underway.
According to preliminary reports, 140 Russian troops were neutralized on this front, including 112 killed. Ukrainian forces also destroyed an armored fighting vehicle, an APC, two cars, a UAV control antenna, 18 drones, and an ammunition depot. Artillery and seven personnel shelters were also struck.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, Ukrainian units repelled seven attacks near Ivanivka, Filiia, Verbove, Novohrhorivka, and Novomykolaivka.
In the Hulyaipole direction, Ukrainian forces repelled two assaults near Poltavka.
In the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces attempted to advance five times toward positions near Kamyanske, Stepove, and toward Stepnohirsk and Mala Tokmachka.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, no combat clashes have been recorded so far.
Russian attacks
Earlier, the Tavria Grouping of Forces dispelled claims of rapid Russian progress toward Kostiantynivka.
The new Russian deadline for capturing the Donetsk region has reportedly been pushed to March 2026.
On October 21, Russian forces struck Sumy with an Italmas drone, injuring several civilians.
