Active Conflicts & News Megathread August 27, 2025

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[u/Well-Sourced]

Starting in Lyman where the Russians are pressing through the Serebriansky forest towards Lyman and Siversk.

Russian troops trying to slip into Lyman sector from all sides — Ukraine's 60th Brigade | Espreso [Map]

On the Lyman front, the Russian army is infiltrating in small groups from all sides to distract Ukrainian defenders while massing troops and increasing pressure on Ukrainian positions Maksym Bilousov, the head of communications of the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said this on Espreso TV.

"On the Lyman front, Russia has been actively pressing with small groups since the beginning of the year. Previously these groups gathered roughly ten people and immediately began assaults; now they are trying to infiltrate from all sides, attempting to distract our attention as much as possible by moving from different directions," Bilousov noted.

According to the head of communications of the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the Ukrainian defenders constantly track the Russian troops' movements and destroy them. "Our guys have become very good at detecting enemy movement. We also detect even well‑camouflaged mechanized equipment. In other words, we are actively working to slow the enemy down as much as possible. But it is very difficult for us because the enemy has concentrated a huge number of personnel opposite our positions," Bilousov emphasized.

Russian troops step up activity in Serebriansky forest, shaping battle dynamics near Lyman | Espreso

Russian forces have significantly stepped up activity in the Serebriansky forest on the Lyman axis. After a long period of failed assaults, they managed to advance near Serebrianka and within the forest itself. For months, the situation in the Serebriansky forestry had remained unchanged: Russian troops attacked but without success. This wooded area, covering more than 107 hectares, stretches from the occupied city of Kreminna to the border with Donetsk region. Since autumn 2022, after Kreminna fell to Russian forces, the front line has run through the forest.

Until recently, Russian troops used the dense forest to conceal equipment and approach Ukrainian positions undetected. Fighting there has now moved closer to Siversk — a strategically important city that controls access to the entire region. In recent days, the situation has shifted unfavorably for Ukrainian defenders, as Russian forces achieved limited tactical gains in several areas of the forestry.

Units of Russia’s 164th and 169th motorized rifle brigades continue advancing inside the forest toward the confluence of the Chornyi Zherebets and Siverskyi Donets rivers, in the direction of the village of Dronivka. This complicates the position of Ukrainian troops defending further east along the Siverskyi Donets, even beyond Serebrianka. Current developments suggest Russian forces may soon fully occupy the forestry up to the Chornyi Zherebets River.

At the same time, Russian troops have intensified offensive actions near Serebrianka in Donetsk’s Bakhmut district. They control high ground near Bilohorivka, creating challenging conditions for Ukrainian defenders. Moscow’s main objective remains eliminating Ukraine’s presence in the forest and pushing toward the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.

Western intelligence reports note a shift of fighting westward, toward Siversk, which is expected to become the scene of the fiercest battles in the coming weeks. Siversk, situated on the Bakhmutka River and its tributaries, is surrounded by resource-rich terrain — including deposits of dolomite, quartz sand, chalk, and clay. This economic significance adds to Russia’s military motivations.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi recently reported growing Russian pressure in northern Donbas and on the Lyman front. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russian troops launched 17 attacks since the start of the day near Novomyhailivka, Hrekivka, Kolodiazi, Novoselivka, Zelena Dolyna, and toward Yampil and Serebrianka. Ukrainian forces continue to put up heavy resistance, conducting counterattacks when possible.

Analyst Kostyantyn Mashovets of the Information Resistance group reported that Ukrainian counterattacks eliminated a Russian tactical penetration near Katerynivka–Hlushchenkove and that defenders continue to hold Karpivka and Ridkodub. There are also reports that Ukrainian troops either retook or pushed Russian forces out of Hrekivka, leaving it in a contested “gray zone.”

On the Siversk axis, Russian artillery fire has intensified, with daily shelling rising to 170–180 strikes. Moscow is attempting to outflank Siversk via the forest to gain fire control over Sloviansk with tube artillery. Military expert and retired Ukrainian colonel Oleh Zhdanov noted that Russian forces are trying to bypass Sloviansk and Kramatorsk along the Donetsk administrative border. “They understand they cannot take these cities, even if they flatten them,” Zhdanov said, adding that Russia seeks a large flanking maneuver. Still, he emphasized that the Lyman axis remains one of Ukraine’s strongest defensive lines.

Russian infiltrators crawled through the forest all night — at sunrise, a Ukrainian tank found them | EuroMaidanPress [Map]

Russian forces continue to push towards Torske from all sides, but Ukrainian defenders from the 63rd and 60th Mechanized Brigades are defending proactively. They are preventing the enemy from consolidating or entrenching inside the settlement by targeting Russians during their deployment to the frontline.

In the nearby Serebryanski Forest, Russian troops have pushed deeper through its natural cover to move into Torske by maintaining as small a profile as possible and crawling past Ukrainian positions at night. However, the Russians failed to stay undetected throughout the day, and geolocated footage shows a Ukrainian tank firing at close range into their positions in the ruins of the settlement. The infiltrators tried to seek cover in the trees but were followed by the armored vehicle and eliminated with another series of devastating shots.

Baba Yaga Fèlla | BlueSky

Lyman direction: The situation near Zarichne is tense, the enemy is pressing from the side of Yampolivka & trying to cut off access to the village itself. Our fighters are holding the defense with determination for now, but the activity of the pigs is high + shelling and attempts of sabotage groups infiltration are intensifying. Zarichne remains under control, but the enemy is trying to shake the flanks.

Near Kolodyazi, our fighters hold the western outskirts, the enemy has not fully entrenched yet, the fights are localized and the situation changes daily. The forecasts for this settlement are bleak; soon even more bastards will be pulled here & then a retreat will be necessary (if possible)...

In the Shandryholove area, the enemy does not ease the pressure, positional battles are ongoing here, there is no calm. In the settlement of Serednie, the Russians are also infiltrating with sabotage groups, our fighters have to maintain a strengthened defense. The fights here are more about exhaustion than breakthrough.

The pigs also continue to press in the Serebriansky forest, storming in small groups under the cover of artillery and aviation. We had to abandon some of our positions deep in the forest, the enemy advanced and is trying to consolidate. Our units withdrew to more convenient lines closer to the Siverskyi Donets, where it is easier to hold the defense and inflict losses on the occupiers. They are now coming in waves, we are working on them with drones, mortars, and artillery. The forest itself now looks like continuous debris and craters from explosions. The situation remains tense: the enemy is advancing slowly but at the cost of heavy losses.

Robert Rowley | BlueSky

The situation in the Lyman direction, held by the 63rd brigade, is difficult. The enemy continues to attack with an incredible amount of infantry and, unfortunately, has made some advances. However, they cannot secure their positions. Because our soldiers continue to accomplish the main task – taking down this scum in droves. A fresh batch from our UAV pilots – 17 occupiers who either didn’t receive reinforcements or didn’t make it to their positions at all.

OSINTRadar | BlueSky

Ukraine’s unmanned systems unit Signum destroyed a Russian МSTA-S 152mm self-propelled artillery system using an FPV kamikaze drone in the Lyman sector.

(Part 2 Below)

[u/Well-Sourced → u/Well-Sourced]

Second part rounding up the rest of the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, & Zaporizhzhia fronts.

DeepState: Russians occupy two villages in Dnipro Oblast for the first time | EuroMaidanPress [Map]

The analytical project DeepState reported on 26 August that Russian forces have occupied the villages of Zaporizke and Novogeorgiyivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, marking the first occupied settlements in the region. According to DeepState analysts, Russian troops established control over the two villages, while Russian forces also advanced near Shevchenko, Bila Gora, and in Oleksandro-Shultyne.

The occupied villages lie at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts’ borders. They became the first settlements in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to fall under Russian army control.

Russian troops advance near Zarichne and Kotlyne in Donetsk Oblast, and near Olhivske in Zaporizhzhya | New Voice of Ukraine [Map]

Russians made advances in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya oblasts, the DeepState analytical project reported on Aug. 27. Analysts reported that Russian forces advanced in Zarichne, Kotlyn, and near Kolodiazy in Donetsk Oblast. The Russian army also made gains near Olhivske in Zaporizhzhya Oblast.

OSINTRadar | BlueSky [Map]

The Russians have managed to make advances in the Zaporizhzhia direction, specifically in the settlement of Stepnohirsk, where they have taken positions in the southern and southwestern parts of the village.

Baba Yaga Fèlla | BlueSky

Pokrovsk direction: Our units are conducting clearing operations in the Pershyi Travnia (Leontovychi) area. We have not fully secured it yet, as isolated pockets of enemy resistance remain. There are also risks of repeated attempts by sabotage and reconnaissance groups, now from the side of the microdistricts, so accordingly, the lines north of Shevchenko village in the fields and forest belts need to be strengthened and blind spots covered.

On the Myrnohrad front, progress is not developing as actively, but our fighters have secured Mykolaivka and are conducting planned combat operations without haste!

In the Rodynske area, the enemy has again activated the “Rubicon” using the Molniya-2 UAV over the private sector in the northern part. We do not allow the enemy into the city itself, but the cemetery, mine, and park area in the northeast remain under their control. Pressure on the outskirts does not subside, fights are localized, and the situation is tense.

Baba Yaga Fèlla | BlueSky

Kostiantynivka direction: North of Poltavka, the enemy continues to press with small groups, managing to advance slightly. At the same time, their sabotage and reconnaissance groups tried to sneak into the Sofiivka area, but the group was quickly detected and destroyed!

The settlement of Katerynivka is currently under enemy control, with main forces entrenched in the southern part. The northern and northeastern parts remain unstable—the enemy regularly loses their "meat" there. Some groups try to infiltrate towards Kleban-Byk, but the southern part remains a gray zone for now; the occupiers have not been able to hold it.

Shcherbynivka is almost completely under enemy control. Fighting continues only for the outer houses in the north; the rest of the settlement has effectively been taken by the enemy, who are trying to establish positions there.

In the Oleksandro-Shultyne area, the situation is more complicated: the enemy is trying to consolidate in the western part but suffers steady losses in the center and near the church. Our Cossacks hold the defense and do not allow them to reach key lines.

NOELREPORTS | BlueSky

A Russian tank was taken out in Oleksandro-Kalynove.

[u/IntroductionNeat2746 → u/Well-Sourced]

Reading about how Russia has seemingly embraced the infiltration tactic, I honestly can't help but wonder how long it'll be until we start seeing Russian infiltrators performing suicide bombings in Ukranian rear.

I realize it sounds very non credible, but pragmatically, being sent to walk alone through the night hoping to infiltrate Ukranian controlled areas with very little hopes of reinforcements or even achieving anything isn't that much less dire anyway.

[u/A_Vandalay → u/IntroductionNeat2746]

Why would those Russians perform suicide attacks when it would be far more effective to equip them with multiple drones or missiles, meaning each soldier can conduct multiple attacks.

The main value of these infiltration tactics is to disrupt the enemy’s rear area preventing logistics and movement to allow for pressure to be applied to the front. So key to this tactic is time. The longer your troops can hold out in those forward areas the more damage is done to the enemy. Wasting troops on suicide attacks completely negates this. Further more, suicide attacks are generally embraced by groups that lack more sophisticated means of attack. Such as artillery missiles or drones. Russia has no shortage of these and would certainly understand equipping a soldier with several drones is going to be far more effective than trying to resurrect the imperial Japanese anti tank lunging mine.

[u/Glideer → u/A_Vandalay]

Strategically, forcing Ukraine to strengthen its front lines to prevent infiltration is even more important than the direct effects.

To tackle this new problem, Ukraine first has to find more infantry somewhere, and then expose those troops to the heaviest enemy fire by deploying them to the first line.

Wherever Russian infiltration succeeds, Ukraine has to send its scarce elite units to counterattack, exposing those valuable soldiers completely to Russian drones and artillery.