Intensified Fighting in Donetsk Region as Ukrainian Forces Respond
On August 20, 2025, intense fighting erupted in the Donetsk region as Ukrainian forces counter Russian aggression, with the situation worsening in the northern areas, reports 24brussels. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi indicated that Ukrainian troops are engaged in heavy defensive battles, staving off assaults while occasionally launching counterattacks.
Syrskyi, following conversations with frontline commanders, announced several decisions aimed at bolstering defenses. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine are fully aware of their significant mission and are capable of continuing to fulfill their assigned tasks. We are defending and reclaiming Ukrainian territory. Units in Donetsk are receiving comprehensive support and reinforcements,” he stated.
This escalation follows a breakthrough by Russian forces in the vicinity of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region, which the Ukrainian military managed to regain control over. Taras Chmut, head of the charitable foundation “Come Back Alive,” warned that if Russian armored groups succeed in encircling Ukrainian positions, the frontline could shift significantly, moving dozens or even hundreds of square kilometers daily, reminiscent of tactics employed in 2022.
Former Azov commander Bohdan Krotevych emphasized that attempting to restore positions through assaults, a strategy previously utilized in Sumy, lacks logic. Priority should be given to stabilizing the situation, strengthening defenses, and increasing reserves.
