Russia is shifting elite forces and equipment to multiple sectors of Donetsk Oblast, with Ukrainian military sources warning of a likely new offensive. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian activity is intensifying near Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, Kramatorsk, and Siversk.

This comes as Russia continues its all-out war against Ukraine, focusing on capturing the rest of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. 

Russian troops mass near Pokrovsk amid infiltration tactics

ISW reported that Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Belskyi of Ukraine’s Dnipro Group of Forces said Russian troops are concentrating in Donetsk Oblast, with the heaviest fighting in the Pokrovsk direction. He said Russia is now bringing in drones and heavy armored vehicles after failing to seize Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad this summer.

The Ukrainian 7th Army Corps reported that Russian naval infantry units were redeployed to Pokrovsk. The Corps reported Russian use of small infiltration teams aiming to get close to Ukrainian drone and artillery positions, overextend defenses, and expand into contested “gray” zones. It also said Russian forces stepped up attacks on Pokrovsk’s flanks using armored and motorized vehicles to disrupt supply lines and attempt encirclement.

Ukraine expects escalation across Donetsk front

A senior Ukrainian NCO near Siversk noted that Moscow is rotating troops and that Ukraine expects new Russian offensives soon. A deputy battalion commander in the Kramatorsk area said Russia is increasing its force concentration there and has brought in naval infantry.

On 5 September, a Ukrainian servicemember said that five to six unspecified naval infantry brigades, a tank regiment, an infantry regiment, and two motorized rifle brigades were sent to the Dobropillia direction. The same source reported that elements of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division of the 18th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District, were moved to Chasiv Yar.

Russia redeploys elite units from multiple regions

ISW cited a Russian milblogger reportedly tied to the Northern Grouping of Forces who claimed on 6 September that elements of Russia’s 76th VDV Division, including the 237th Regiment, were redeployed from Sumy Oblast to an unspecified location.

ISW observed that units from Kursk Oblast — including the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet) — were sent to Dobropillya. It also reported that elements of the 40th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet), 177th Naval Infantry Regiment (Caspian Flotilla), and 11th Separate VDV Brigade were redeployed to unspecified areas in Donetsk Oblast.

Elements of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division were also reported transferred from Kherson Oblast to Donetsk’s Bakhmut, possibly to reinforce Russian efforts near Kostiantynivka or Siversk.