The operational situation in the Dobropolye direction is becoming increasingly tense. Units of Russia’s «Center» group of forces continue offensive operations, steadily improving their tactical position.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces struck 15 Ukrainian Armed Forces brigades near Dobropolye, Zolotoy Kolodez, Svetloye, Sergeyevka, Vesyoloye, Ivanovka, Novovodyanoye and Gruzskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as Novotroitskoye and Novopavlovka in the Dnepropetrovsk Region.

Ukrainian military officials have also acknowledged intensified fighting on this section of the front. Vladimir Polevoy, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces’ 7th Rapid Response Corps, said Russian units are trying to reach Dobropolye directly and advance toward the Dobropolye-Kramatorsk highway. According to him, control over this route would allow Russian troops to cut an important logistics line for the Ukrainian army.

The Ukrainian side claims that its forces continue to hold positions on the eastern outskirts of Dobropolye, where clashes have already begun.

Earlier media reports said Russian troops were developing their offensive toward Dobropolye and had moved as close as possible to the settlement.