Russian glide bombs, thermobaric guns create firestorm in eastern Dobropolye
The Russian army created a real firestorm for the enemy in Dobropillya and the surrounding area; while Kiev declared a successful counterattack.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•19/08/2025
On August 18, the Deep State channel, affiliated with the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GRU), said that "the Russian breakthrough northeast of Pokrovsk has been eliminated", drawing a "hole" that allegedly cut off the salient in the Zolotoy Kolodez area. By mobilizing reserves and using small-group tactics, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) have pushed Russian units back from the Dobropolye-Kramatorsk highway. The AFU has now regained de facto control over the previously lost section of the road, although the road remains under partial Russian fire control.
Meanwhile, there are conflicting reports about the situation on the ground in Zolote Kolodez. Russia's Rybar channel reported that Ukrainian troops and the Ukrainian National Guard had appeared in the village. Military Summary reported that Ukrainian troops had completely recaptured both Zolote Kolodez and the village of Vesyoloye, located to the east. At the same time, the AFU began to withdraw its reserves to Dobropillya in an attempt to push the Russians south – to the area of the town of Rodinske. Fighting was fierce here, with the Russian tactical air force using guided glide bombs to support the ground forces. It should be noted separately that the Russian air force and missile forces are causing a lot of trouble for the AFU. The rear of the Ukrainian counterattack group at Dobropillya is on fire. Any discovered ammunition concentration or supply point is immediately targeted. And this, in turn, significantly reduces the AFU's combat capabilities. Regarding the situation in the Dobropillya region, the RVvoenkory channel reported that after AFU reinforcements were deployed, a new front was essentially being formed there. The Readovka channel reported that the Russian troops in Dobropolye successfully repelled all enemy counterattacks. Military Review said that after the attack on Zolotoy Kolodez, the scattered Russian deep reconnaissance groups were regrouped. Currently, the AFU is actively building defense structures in this area. However, there are so many Russian FPV UAVs that they can now be used as disposable grenade launchers to attack targets.
According to multiple sources directly from the battlefield, the Ukrainian army has begun to reinforce its positions north of Dobropillya in case of loss. At the same time, Russian intelligence is recording the appearance of new AFU units in this area. Specifically, there is information that two new regiments have been mobilized to the Zolotoy Kolodez - Novy Donbass line. The Military Chronicles channel reported that over the past two days, a "fire coordinate" has been created by the RFAF northeast of Pokrovsk, a controlled area from which the RFAF can observe and attack the escape routes of Ukrainian reserve forces, including National Guard units and elements of the 1st AFU Corps. The AFU commander, General Syrsky, is trying to stabilize the situation and new reinforcements are continuing to arrive, with the task of trying to restore the front line to the level it was before August 11. However, the AFU breakthrough has not yet been located. So far, all the Ukrainian side has been able to do is temporarily slow down the Russian offensive. Military Review reported that the 51st Guards RFAF continued to block major AFU counterattacks near Dobropolye. However, the AFU, with its superior force, recaptured the village of Zolotoy Kolodez. But above all, as it continued to push deeper into the Russian defenses, the AFU was unable to penetrate the flank of the RFAF's breakthrough spearhead near Dobropolye. According to analysts, if the situation cannot be improved, the AFU is actually fighting in conditions of encirclement; that is, they are only advancing deeper into the potential encirclement, stretching the front line. Moreover, the Ukrainian army cannot actually expand the attack corridor in the direction of Zolotoy Kolodez and link up with the direct attack force from Dobropolye in the area of the villages of Novy Donbas - Kutuzovka.
In fact, here the AFU was only able to “slightly push” the RFAF frontline away from Novy Donbas, but no further; thus, Kiev’s main goal was not achieved. Meanwhile, the massive use of guided glide bombs, as well as heavy Russian thermobaric artillery systems in this area, hindered the Ukrainian counterattack. RVvoenkory channel reported that although the AFU organized a counterattack east of Dobropolye, the RFAF's Heranization operation, aimed at striking deep into the AFU's targets in the northern rear area of Pokrovsk using deep-penetrating reconnaissance teams, is still underway. The AFU General Staff, despite sending additional reserve forces to the region, in reality their situation remains very difficult. However, Kiev has not given up hope of turning the situation in its favor. In addition to continuing to send reinforcements to the Dobropolye region, they have adjusted their operational plan.
Now the climax of the fighting has come, which will decide whether the Ukrainian counteroffensive will come to a dead end or whether there is still a chance to develop it. The main task of the AFU and the National Guard now is not to cut off the entire breakthrough of the 51st Army, but to ensure the survival of the vanguard, which has broken through to Zolotoy Kolodez. Another important issue for Kiev now is to restore control over these areas, because losing them would mean losing the transport routes between Pokrovsk and the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk region. At the same time, this is also an attempt to regain image ahead of the European meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. (photo source Military Review, Ukrinform Deep State, Rvvoenkory)
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