{
  "id": 7616128,
  "title": "“Huge increase” in Russian assault groups trying to break through to Dobropillia, but they are using familiar tactics, staff sergeant says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/huge-increase-in-russian-assault-groups-trying-to-break-through-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T19:31:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/09/15/huge-increase-in-russian-assault-groups-trying-to-break-through-to-dobropillia-but-they-are-using-familiar-tactics-staff-sergeant-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to staff sergeant Dmytro Davydenko of the Svoboda Battalion headquarters, Russian forces have significantly increased their attempts to break through to Dobropillia in recent weeks. Dobropillia is a vital transportation hub in northern Donetsk Oblast, connected to Kramatorsk by a key road. Russian forces are exploiting various factors, including weather conditions, to seize Dobropillia as part of their objective to capture the entire Donetsk Oblast. Davydenko noted that Russian forces may take advantage of favorable weather by moving troops closer to the settlement and then entering Dobropillia during deteriorating weather, potentially leading to urban combat. The tactics employed by Russia may be reminiscent of previous approaches, but Ukraine has taken them into account. Currently, there is a considerable rise in the number of mobile units moving towards Dobropillia. However, the Ukrainian military has established obstacles, such as destroying roads, placing mines, or blocking routes to impede Russian progress. Despite Russia's efforts to increase troop numbers in the area, Davydenko highlighted the limitations of Russian capabilities. He explained that a single drone operator cannot simultaneously support multiple assault groups on different axes, making it unlikely for Russia to launch a \"critical onslaught\" with an even larger number of fighters. The Kremlin has revived its offensive push toward Dobropillia, aiming to encircle Ukraine's fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast from the southwest, but the feasibility of such an encirclement is deemed \"extremely unrealistic\" by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in their August report. Dobropillia, situated at the southwestern corner of the fortress belt, initially became a target of Russian strikes and later a primary objective for capture. On 11 August 2025, Russian forces managed to approach Dobropillia and cut the road connecting it to Kramatorsk. Ukrainian forces later reported the encirclement and elimination of these troops. In spring and summer 2026, Russia is expected to attempt a similar operation in Dobropillia, as predicted by Francis Farrell for the Kyiv Independent. This is evident from recent reports of Russian forces massing around Dobropillia once again, using quad bikes and motorcycles, following the same infiltration pattern as in 2025.",
  "summary": "But the Ukrainian military has already mined the main routes Russian forces could use to reach the city, according to the soldier.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russian forces significantly increase attempts to breach Dobropillia.",
    "Ukrainian military implements obstacles to impede Russian progress.",
    "Russian offensive toward Dobropillia deemed extremely unrealistic by ISW."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}