Russian forces are moving closer to taking full control of the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to military correspondent Dmitry Steshin. He reported that Russian units are continuing offensive operations around the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and are fighting for Druzhkovka.

Steshin argued that the situation in Donbass is central to the wider conflict and that without strong Ukrainian positions on the battlefield, Russia would be able to put forward increasingly uncompromising demands.

He also reported that Russian troops have begun an assault on Dobropolye, which he described as an important defensive and logistics hub for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Fighting is therefore unfolding simultaneously across several parts of the front.

According to Steshin, Russian forces are also advancing toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. On September 5, Orekhovatka came under Russian control. The correspondent described it as the last settlement on the route toward Slavyansk.

Russian assault groups have also reached the runway area of Kramatorsk airfield, which Steshin identified as being on the outskirts of the city. He added that farther south, Russian troops had already taken Konstantinovka and were now pressing toward Druzhkovka, forcing Ukrainian units out of the agglomeration.

Russian servicemen who spoke with Steshin also described the situation in Dobropolye. According to their account, Ukrainian units withdrew to the northern part of the city after aerial bombs struck a strongpoint on its southern outskirts.

Steshin said Russian drone crews continue to monitor the area around the clock and strike detected aerial targets.

Drones are also being used for remote mining of routes used by Ukrainian troops. A Russian sergeant with the call sign Odinakovyi said one crew lays an average of 10 to 20 mines per day using this method.