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2026 Dobropillia offensive

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2026 Dobropillia offensive
Part of the eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)
Date22 July 2026 – present
(2 months, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Location
Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine
Units involved

File:Banner of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (obverse).svg Russian Armed Forces

File:Ensign of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.svg Armed Forces of Ukraine

The 2026 Dobropillia offensive is a military operation in the Russo-Ukrainian war by the Russian Armed Forces with the primary goal of capturing the city of Dobropillia in the western Donetsk Oblast.

Background

Main article: Pokrovsk offensive

The Russian army conducted a protracted military operation since mid-2024 to seize the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.[8][9][10] Following a 18-month battle, the campaign concluded with the Russian capture of the city in early 2026.[11][12][13] Even though the frontline remained stable for several months thereafter, the city of Dobropillia was seen as Russia's next target. Russian forces approached the city by summer 2026.[14]

In August 2025, Russian forces breached Ukrainian defenses east of Dobropillia as a result of a surprise offensive.[15][16][17] The Ukrainian army had reversed all the Russian advances by fall 2025 after a counteroffensive.[18][19]

Offensive

Russian troops launched their renewed offensive toward Dobropillia by conducting a mechanized assault southeast of the city on 22 July.[20] This type of attack was rare as it was the first large-scale Russian mechanized assault in over a year.[21][22] Ukrainian forces managed to repel this attack by destroying nine Russian tanks, two armored vehicles and three Grad rocket systems.[23][24] At the same time, Russian forces advanced up to the Rodynske – Novooleksandrivka line to the south of Dobropillia.[25] The Ukrainian Rubizh Brigade stated that Russia is intensifying its offensive operations north of Pokrovsk in preparation of an offensive toward Dobropillia.[26][27] According to the brigade, Russian troops are actively conducting aerial reconnaissance and demining operations to allow assault groups on quad bikes and motorcycles to advance.[28][29] Meanwhile, Russian units were spotted operating in the city of Bilytske located north of Rodynske by 26 July.[4][30] It became increasingly difficult to get supplies into the city. With all the roads being under constant drone control, the only way of transportation to reach Dobropillia is on foot.[4] Another threat for the Ukrainian forces defending Dobropillia is the intensive usage of Russian glide bombs causing massive destruction to the city.[31][32]

By the end of July, Russian forces took control of Bilytske. Simultaneously, the Russian army pushed into Shevchenko south of Dobropillia and toward the settlements of Svitle and Vodianske.[33] The next week, Russian soldiers infiltrated the villages of Krasnoyarske and Matyasheve.[34] Russian forces cleared the last Ukrainian positions in the city of Rodynske by 8 August.[35] Military analyst Rob Lee noted on 10 August that the Russian rate of advance towards Dobropillia increased. He added that the first Russian infiltration groups reached the southeastern outskirts of the city, attempting to encircle Dobropillia from the east.[36] Frontline journalist Diana Bucko also reported that Russian forces were gradually advancing closer to Dobropillia, with the first Russians having been spotted within the city limits.[37] South of Dobropillia, Russian soldiers infiltrated into the settlement of Krasnopodillia.[38] The Russian army reportedly began concentrating forces to the southeast of the city in preparation for a further assault on Dobropillia.[39][40] By 22 August, DeepStateMap confirmed that Russian forces took control of Rodynske.[41] On the other hand, Ukrainian forces pushed back Russian troops near Vodianske.[42]

Ukraine started sending reinforcements to Donetsk Oblast on 26 August to strengthen their positions in the east, including near Dobropillia.[43][44] Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, additionally appointed Denys Prokopenko, commander of the 1st Azov Corps, to be responsible for the Ukrainian positions in the Dobropillia sector.[45] In the meantime, Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian infiltration group in Hannivka, located to the northeast of the city.[46] The Ukrainian military observed that Russian assault groups increased their attempts to break through toward Dobropillia during the month of September.[47][48] Ukrainian commander Prokopenko stated that Russian forces were transferring armored vehicles to the Dobropillia direction in preparation for future mechanized assaults on the city.[49]

The Russian Defence Ministry reported on 22 September that its troops had surrounded Ukrainian forces inside Dobropillia.[50] Two days later, they published a map from Dobropillia to support their claim. However, the alleged encirclement of the city was not backed by any geolocated evidence.[51] According to the Institute for the Study of War the Russian claim is false, assessing that the closest Russian positions are about 10 kilometers away from Dobropillia.[52] The Ukrainian 1st Azov Corps responded that their forces remain in control of the city.[53]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Khomenko, Ivan (25 July 2026). "Ukraine Destroys Russia's New HIMARS-Like Sarma MLRS for the First Time". United24. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kostka, Jakub; Trach, Tetiana; Harward, Christina; Sher, Arielle; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Kagan, Frederick W. (10 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 10, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Katsimon, Olha (25 July 2026). "Azov releases footage of repelling a large-scale Russian mechanized assault". LIGA. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kalitventseva, Yelyzaveta; Fal, Marharyta (24 July 2026). "Line of contact near Dobropillia, city isolated". Frontliner. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Barabaltchouk, Cyril (4 August 2026). "Ukraine Ramps Up Ground Robot Production to 50,000 Units to Protect Frontline Troops". United24. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Сітнікова, Ірина (26 July 2026). "Окупанти готуються до штурмів на квадроциклах на Покровському напрямку — «Рубіж»" [Occupiers are preparing for assaults on ATVs in the Pokrovsk direction — Rubizh]. Hromadske (in українська). Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Sonko, Alona (24 July 2026). "Ukrainian border guards repel massive Russian tank breakthrough attempt near Dobropillia". The New Voice. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Tanno, Sophie; Hak, Kostyantyn; Tarasova-Markina, Darya (11 December 2024). "Russian forces less than 2 miles from key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk". CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Méheut, Constant; Konovalova, Olha (29 October 2025). "Street Battles Rage in Ukrainian City After Russian Troops Enter Stronghold". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Vakulina, Sasha (11 November 2025). "Ukrainian forces hold ground in Pokrovsk amid intense Russian assault". EuroNews. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Brennan, David; Reevell, Patrick (6 November 2025). "Ukraine faces potential fall of Pokrovsk to Russia after 18-month battle of attrition". ABC News. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Stockwell, Billy; Tarasova, Darya; Butenko, Victoria (2 December 2025). "Russia claims to have captured key city of Pokrovsk, as Ukraine dismisses Moscow's 'loud statements' ahead of Witkoff talks". CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Sobieski, Jessica; Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Harward, Christina; Nasreddine, Diana; Shafiro, Samuel; Thacker, Anna; Hird, Karolina (25 February 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Буцко, Діана (14 July 2026). "«Замотали в простирадло, викопали яму та й захоронили»: у Добропіллі ховають людей при дорозі" [”Wrapped in a sheet, dug a hole and buried them”: people are buried by the roadside in Dobropillya]. Hromadske (in українська). Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  15. ↑ Osborn, Andrew (12 August 2025). "Russia tries to make sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit". Reuters. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  16. ↑ Vakulina, Sasha (12 August 2025). "Russian forces breach Ukrainian defences in eastern Donetsk". EuroNews. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  17. ↑ Tarasova-Markina, Daria; Edwards, Christian; Paton Walsh, Nick; Butenko, Victoria (12 August 2025). "Russian troops pierce Ukraine's patchy defenses in Donetsk, days before Trump-Putin summit". CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  18. ↑ Farrell, Francis (27 October 2025). "Analysis: Ukraine learns hard lessons from Russia's evolving tactics after clearing Dobropillia 'breakthrough'". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  19. ↑ Query, Alexander; Olley, Josh (5 December 2025). "Inside Ukraine's Rapid Counteroffensive in Dobropillia—Before Facing Russia's Meat-Grinder Assault in Pokrovsk". United24. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  20. ↑ Mittal, Vikram (29 July 2026). "Russia Launched A Large Mechanized Assault. It Was Not Successful". Forbes. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  21. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Mappes, Grace; Shafiro, Samuel; Sher, Arielle; Trach, Tetiana; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Frykholm, Samuel; Kagan, Frederick W. (23 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 23, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  22. ↑ Zhytniuk, Oksana; Mazur, Yevheniia (24 July 2026). "Near Dobropillya, Russian tank were attacked for the first time since 2025: the Russian military may have been banking on a "crisis" within the Ukrainian Armed Forces". LIGA. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  23. ↑ Romanenko, Valentyna (24 July 2026). "Ukrainians repel major Russian tank breakthrough attempt". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  24. ↑ Хаіндрава, Нікіта (24 July 2026). "«Давно такої двіжухи не було». На Добропільському напрямку бійці відбили танковий штурм рф" [”There hasn’t been such a thing for a long time.” In the Dobropillia direction fighters repelled a Russian tank assault.]. Hromadske (in українська). Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Trach, Tetiana; Shafiro, Samuel; Frykholm, Samuel; Mappes, Grace; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Thacker, Anna; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Sher, Arielle; Kagan, Frederick W. (22 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 22, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Defence Forces: Russia steps up fighting in Donetsk Region to push toward Dobropillya". LB.ua. 26 July 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Dmytriieva, Daria (26 July 2026). "Russia prepares new offensive on Pokrovsk front, aims to advance toward Dobropillia". RBC-Ukraine. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  28. ↑ Zoria, Yuri (26 July 2026). "Russia is massing for Dobropillia again using quad bikes and motorcycles, Ukraine's National Guard says". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  29. ↑ Tyshchenko, Kateryna (26 July 2026). "Russian forces preparing assaults on quad bikes and motorcycles on Pokrovsk front". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Trach, Tetiana; Thacker, Anna; Sher, Arielle; Olmsted, Jennie; Hird, Karolina (26 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 26, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  31. ↑ Farrell, Francis; Zashko, Olena (25 July 2026). "Unable to take Dobropillia, Russia is burning it to the ground". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  32. ↑ Psaropoulos, John T. (7 August 2026). "Russia drops record number of glide bombs on Ukraine as casualties pile up". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "The battlefield Ukraine's new commander-in-chief inherits as Russian troops push toward Ukraine's main defensive stronghold in Donbas". Meduza. 30 July 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  34. ↑ Mappes, Grace; Trach, Tetiana; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Kostka, Jakub; Frykholm, Samuel; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Sher, Arielle; Barros, George (6 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 6, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  35. ↑ Pataj, Roman (10 August 2026). "Russia's new 'drone-proof' tanks overwhelmed by Ukrainian swarms in Donbas battle". EUobserver. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  36. ↑ Kostka, Jakub; Trach, Tetiana; Harward, Christina; Sher, Arielle; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Kagan, Frederick W. (10 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 10, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  37. ↑ Puškar, Iryna (18 August 2026). "Ukrainian frontline reporter Diana Bucko: 'I have learned not only to report on the war, but also to live in it'". EUobserver. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  38. ↑ Trach, Tetiana; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Frykholm, Samuel; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Olmsted, Jennie; Sher, Arielle; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (18 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 18, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  39. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Frykholm, Samuel; Trach, Tetiana; Mappes, Grace; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Sher, Arielle; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Kagan, Frederick W. (19 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 19, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  40. ↑ "Russia and Ukraine are sending assault groups deep behind enemy lines, blurring the front line". Meduza. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  41. ↑ Tyshchenko, Kateryna (22 August 2026). "Russian forces occupy town near Pokrovsk and advance in Kharkiv Oblast". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  42. ↑ Trach, Tetiana; Olmsted, Jennie; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Spencer, Jacob; Frykholm, Samuel; Sher, Arielle; Kostka, Jakub; Mappes, Grace; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Kagan, Frederick W. (26 August 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 26, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  43. ↑ Taradiuk, Yuliia (26 August 2026). "Top commanders to lead reinforcement of Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  44. ↑ Prots, Anastasia (26 August 2026). "Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast to be reinforced by two restructured military groupings". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  45. ↑ Буцко, Діана (1 September 2026). "Drapatyi's big reshuffle: Ukraine reshapes Donetsk front command as Russia closes in on Sloviansk and weighs new mobilization". Hromadske. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  46. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Trach, Tetiana; Frykholm, Samuel; Kostka, Jakub; Mappes, Grace; Sher, Arielle; Barros, George (1 September 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 1, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
  47. ↑ Stanovych, Solomiia (15 September 2026). ""Huge increase" in Russian assault groups trying to break through to Dobropillia, but they are using familiar tactics, staff sergeant says". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  48. ↑ Vasilko, Tomáš (17 September 2026). "Russians trying to capture Dobropillia, before the leaves fall from the trees". EUobserver. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  49. ↑ Sundstrom, Nikolai; Frykholm, Samuel; Kostka, Jakub; Trach, Tetiana; Peasley, Christian; Olmsted, Jennie; Barros, George (17 September 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 17, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  50. ↑ Thomas, Daniel (23 September 2026). "Russia fabricates Dobropillia encirclement to strengthen its case for Kyiv's capitulation at UN". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  51. ↑ Vasilko, Tomáš (24 September 2026). "Russians dream of encircling Dobropillia, as Ukraine's Azov force pushes back". EUobserver. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  52. ↑ Sher, Arielle; Frykholm, Samuel; Trach, Tetiana; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Peasley, Christian; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (24 September 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 24, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  53. ↑ Bashchenko, Oleksandra (26 September 2026). "Dobropillia remains under Ukrainian control as Azov responds to Russian claims of encirclement". RBC-Ukraine. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
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