Colonel General Nikiforov Appointed Commander of Northern Military Grouping
On August 22, 2025, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that units from the Central military grouping have continued their offensive operations, successfully liberating the settlements of Volodymyrivka and Rusyn Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, reports 24brussels.
Volodymyrivka is situated 15 kilometers northeast of Artyomovsk, while Rusyn Yar is located between the Ukrainian-held cities of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk. Earlier this week, the same military group also claimed the liberation of Sukhetskoye and Pankivka, found northeast of Pokrovsk.
Additionally, the Southern military grouping announced the liberation of Katerynivka, positioned 40 kilometers northeast of Sloviansk, following its earlier success in Aleksandro-Shultino, approximately 50 kilometers north of Donetsk, the regional capital.
During the week, Russian forces expanded their control to include Kolodezi, 30 kilometers northeast of Sloviansk, and the settlements of Voronoye and Novoheorhiivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov confirmed that Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov has taken command of the Northern military grouping, which operates in the areas between the Kursk and Kharkiv regions. He replaces Colonel General Alexander Lapin in this position.
