Russian forces have made a significant advance southwest of Druzhkovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, with forward units entering Novogrigorovka and beginning fighting for Rayskoye, which military analysts describe as a gateway to Druzhkovka.

According to AiF, Russian troops are approaching the city from two directions. One axis runs from Konstantinovka, where fighting continues near Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka and neighboring Izhevka. Russian units there are focusing their efforts on advancing along forest belts and enveloping the southwestern section of the front.

Military blogger Yury Podolyaka said Russian drone operators are actively targeting the settlement itself, as well as logistics routes and rear facilities. In his assessment, Ukrainian drone units in the area have been pushed back and now rely on Druzhkovka, while supply routes to Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka have been disrupted.

Podolyaka said the situation is changing fastest southwest of Druzhkovka. According to him, Russia’s 150th Motor Rifle Division broke through Ukrainian defenses near Krasny Kut, Torskoye and Toretskoye, after which Russian units entered Novogrigorovka and Rayskoye.

He said Novogrigorovka could soon come under Russian control, describing the advance in the 150th Division’s breakthrough sector as successful. Fighting is also continuing in Rayskoye. Podolyaka argued that taking the settlement would allow Russian forces to close the pocket south of it, straighten the front line and gain access to the southwestern approaches to Druzhkovka.

The blogger expects the Ukrainian command to try to send additional forces to stabilize the front. At the same time, he said the Ukrainian Armed Forces have almost no available reserves, meaning reinforcements would have to be withdrawn from other sectors.

Podolyaka considers the Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka area the most likely source of such redeployments. In his view, moving troops away from that sector would weaken it, while the broader shortage of reserves is particularly visible along the right flank of Russia’s Center group of forces and the left flank of the South group.