The logistics hub of Pokrovsk remains the focal point for russian offensive operations. Pokrovsk is an important defensive lynchpin, constraining russian advances in the wider Donetsk region and towards the Ukrainian cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, both of which are also russian objectives, UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Major elements of russia's Naval Infantry have been transferred from russia's Kursk region and Ukraine's Sumy region to the Pokrovsk-Dobropillia axis, where they have started to conduct offensive activity in small groups.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: With Unconventional Tactics, russia Aims For Key Logistical Hubs in Ukraine's East
The Ukrainian logistics hub of Lyman, also in Donetsk, remains russian objective, having previously been retaken by Ukrainian forces in a September 2022 counterattack. Russian forces have taken the majority of the Serebryansky Forest to the south east of Lyman, and are consolidating territory along the Siverskyi Donets River.
Russian forces have consolidated control over sectors of the areas bordering Dnipropetrovsk oblast and Donetsk oblast. Most of these border areas are likely still contested by Ukrainian forces. However in the vicinity of the village Sosnivka, russian forces have advanced approximately 10 km further into Dnipropetrovsk region on a narrow front.
As Defense Express previously reported, the russian Ground Forces (RGF) likely seized between 450 and 500 sq km of Ukrainian territory in August 2025, a moderate decrease from the approximately 500-550 sq km taken in July 2025, and the approximately 550-600 sq km taken in June 2025. This follows month on month increases from March 2025 to June 2025.
It is likely that counter attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, Kupiansk and Sumy contributed to the moderate reduction in the rate of russian territorial gains in August 2025.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: Ukraine Blunts russia's Advance, But Front Holds Firm
