On September 1, 2023, the Russian military launched a new offensive aimed at liberating the Donbass region. General Staff Chief Valeriy Gerasimov, in a report to President Vladimir Putin, announced that Russian forces had taken control of 92 settlements since the start of the operation. The primary focus of the combined military group is to advance on a broad front, with the 'Center,' 'South,' and 'West' groups pushing forward.
By October 16, 2026, Russian forces had made significant progress, liberating the town of Alexeyevskoye-Dzhurkivka. Gerasimov reported to Putin that the Russian military had overcome enemy resistance and entered the southern and western parts of Dzhurkivka, where street battles were ongoing. Additionally, the Russian forces had reached the outskirts of Kramatorsk, a strategic city that had been under Ukrainian control.
On the same day, Russian forces took control of Dobropole, a city that had been an important defensive point on the Dnipro front. Gerasimov stated that the Russian military had completed the destruction of Ukrainian units surrounded in Dobropole and that search operations were ongoing to eliminate any remaining Ukrainian soldiers hiding in buildings. This move was seen as a significant blow to Ukrainian forces, further reducing their control over the Donbass region.
This move was seen as a significant blow to Ukrainian forces, further reducing their control over the Donbass region.
According to Gerasimov, Russian forces had brought 500 square kilometers and 23 settlements of the Donetsk People's Republic under their control in September and the first two weeks of October. The Russian military claimed to have taken 1800 square kilometers and 92 settlements in the Donbass region since September 1, 2023. These claims, while critical of Ukrainian forces, highlight the scale of the Russian military's operations.
The Russian military's advances came at a significant cost. Over two days, Russian forces took control of 142 buildings, indicating the intensity of the battles. The liberation of Dobropole, in particular, involved intense street fighting, as Gerasimov noted, 'Vойсками группировки