Donbas Front Tensions Rise as Russia Intensifies Attacks on Novopavlivka and Pokrovske

Soldiers of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrogradskyi. General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

As reported by General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

On September 29, the front in Donbas remained tense: Russia was intensifying pressure on the Novopavlivske direction, becoming more active near Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, while Ukrainian forces continued to defend and strengthen control along the front line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy is mounting active attacks on the Lyman, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivske directions, having drawn our defenders into several sectors of the front and trying to break through the defensive lines from multiple directions. Ukrainian units are repelling the assaults and concentrating their efforts on denying the enemy in the rear.

Intensification of the enemy’s focus on the Novopavlivske and Pokrovsk directions

“What’s interesting is that they have begun redeploying troops from other directions. For example, from the south they have started shifting to the east, which basically indicates that, by Russian standards, they are facing manpower problems.”

– Oleksiy Belytsky, spokesperson for the OSUV “Dnipro”

The sides are intensifying actions in different sectors of the front: on the Novopavlivske direction, repeated attacks have been recorded in the areas of Sichneve, Piddubne, Novoselivka, Sosnivka, and Berezove, while on the Pokrovsk direction regular assaults continue near Volodymyrivka, Nikanorivka, and Myrnohrad.

“Actually, the advance on the position has long been happening on foot. In other words, delivering up to the position itself is safer on foot. Because, so to speak, small walking groups can move more unobtrusively. And there, in the positions, in some shelters, they are harder to spot with a drone. That means any vehicle, a car, especially armored, is noticed very quickly and destroyed very quickly. Therefore, indeed, the Russians have the same logistical problems.”

– Taras Myshak, officer of the communications section of the 59th OShBR

There is also rising activity in other sectors: in Luhansk region, actions related to logistics and defense are being strengthened, and along the Dobropillia–Pokrovsk line reconnaissance and enemy infiltration attempts into rear defense areas continue.

“Every man must take up the sword.”

– Oleksandr Hulak, assistant to the chaplain of the 152nd Brigade

Early statements by leaders confirm that operations will continue until the enemy’s destructive efforts are broken by Ukraine’s defense systems. The President of Ukraine stressed that control over the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia directions is strengthening, and the liberated territories are expanding.

“God willing, may everything end the way it is going now.”

– President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Against these events, Ukrainian units continue counteroffensive actions on the Dobropillia direction and strengthen defense in the Pokrovsk agglomeration, while destroying the enemy’s logistical and rear targets. Losses and successes on both sides remain the subject of daily monitoring by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the country’s defense operations channels.

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