Northeast Donetsk Oblast campaign

{{Short description|Military campaign during the Russo-Ukrainian war}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{Multiple issues| {{Copy edit|date=August 2025}} {{more citations needed|date=May 2025}} {{split|date=May 2025|Lyman front of the Russo-Ukrainian War|Siversk front of the Russo-Ukrainian War|discuss=Talk:Northeast Donetsk Oblast campaign#Split discussion}} {{Update|date=December 2025}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Northeast Donetsk Oblast campaign | place = Northeastern Donetsk Oblast and western Luhansk Oblast | partof = the Luhansk Oblast campaign and eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war | combatant1 = Russia | combatant2 = Ukraine | status = Ongoing | units1 = Order of battle | units2 = Order of battle | date = November 2024 — present | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}} | image = Fighting in Bilohorivka (2025-04-14).png | caption = Ukrainian 81st Airmobile Brigade during the fighting for Bilohorivka, 2025 }}

As part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, military operations have taken place in the northeastern part of the Donetsk Oblast, on two fronts which are referred to as the '''Lyman front''' and the '''Siversk front''' after the nearby cities of Lyman and Siversk. Russian forces established a bridgehead over the Zherebets River in early January 2025, which was speculated by Ukrainian officials and Western analysts to be part of an attempt to capture Lyman.

== Background ==

Following Ukraine's counteroffensive in the east in 2022, Russia failed its initial objective of encircling northern Donetsk Oblast, as its salient in eastern Kharkiv Oblast collapsed and the strategic cities of Lyman and Sviatohirsk were recaptured;<ref>{{cite web |last1=region |first1=Russian |title=Russian forces retreat from strategic Donetsk city a day after Moscow's annexation of the region |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/01/europe/ukraine-russia-lyman-donetsk-intl/index.html |website=CNN|date=October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=divided |first1=War |title=War in Ukraine: Russian occupation leaves Donbas town of Sviatohirsk deeply divided |url=https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20221018-war-in-ukraine-russian-occupation-leaves-donbas-town-of-sviatohirsk-deeply-divided |website=France 24|date=18 October 2022 }}</ref> this forced Russian forces to pull back towards Luhansk Oblast. Following this withdrawal, the frontline began to stall and remained along the western border of Luhansk Oblast throughout the rest of 2022 and 2023 until offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast restarted in late 2024.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

== Lyman front ==

=== Russian capture of Terny (November 2024–January 2025) === By November 2024, Russian forces had begun efforts to capture the villages of Terny and {{ill|Yampolivka|uk|Ямполівка}}, but their attempts were repelled by the forces of Ukraine's 60th Mechanized Brigade.<ref>{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=14 May 2025|url=https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/komanduvannya-rf-vidpravylo-na-smert-ponad-desyatok-shturmovykiv-bilya-terniv/|first=Тарас|last=Сафронов|date=23 November 2024|title=Командування РФ відправило на смерть понад десяток штурмовиків біля Тернів|website=Militarnyi}}</ref>

On 26 December, it was claimed in Russian media that Russian forces had taken control of up to 40% of the village of Terny.<ref>{{cite web |last1=says |first1=Russian |title=Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says |url=https://tass.com/politics/1893535 |website=TASS}}</ref> On 28 December, Russian forces conducted a mechanized assault against the positions of Ukraine's 60th Brigade on the Lyman front for the first time in about a month, though daily infantry assaults had continued during that period.<ref>{{cite ISW|date=2024-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2024/12/28/na-lymanskomu-napryamku-rosiyany-vpershe-za-dovgyj-chas-pishly-na-mehanizovanyj-shturm/|title=На Лиманському напрямку росіяни вперше за довгий час пішли на механізований штурм|website=АрміяInform|access-date=14 May 2025|date=28 December 2024|language=uk}}</ref> However, they failed to advance as their logistics were poor and the open fields surrounding Terny exposed Russian movements, leading to them being detected by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terny |first1=Frontline |title=Frontline report: Tactical missteps doom Russian offensive on Terny |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/04/frontline-report-tactical-missteps-doom-russian-offensive-on-terny/ |website=Euromaidan Press|date=3 January 2025 }}</ref> Russian sources claimed to be in control of 90% of Terny on 31 December.<ref name="ISW 2024 December 31">{{cite ISW|date=2024-12-31}}</ref>

Russian sources asserted on 2 January that Russian troops made gains in southern Terny.<ref name='ISW 2025 January 2'/> By 5 January, Ukrainian forces had successfully recaptured positions in central Terny.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zoria |first=Yuri |date=2025-01-05 |title=Russian troops advance in Toretsk and near five other Donetsk settlements, DeepState says |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/05/russian-troops-advance-in-toretsk-and-near-five-other-donetsk-settlements-deepstate-says/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Euromaidan Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 4, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-January-4-2025 |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref>

On 14 January 2025, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces had taken Terny.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ukraine |first1=Russia |title=Russia claims it took control of 2 more settlements in Ukraine |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/russia-claims-it-took-control-of-2-more-settlements-in-ukraine/3449963 |website=Anadolu Ajansi}}</ref> The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) was unable to confirm Russian control over Terny until geolocated footage published on 18 and 19 January indicated that Russian forces had seized the village.<ref name="ISW 2025 January 19">{{cite ISW|date=2025-01-19}}</ref>

On 1 May, Russian forces advanced to Pivnichna Street in northern Torske, which is east of Lyman.<ref name='ISW 2025 May 1'/>

=== Russian bridgehead over the Zherebets River (January 2025–present) === On 21 April, Ukrainian military observer Oleksandr Kovalenko gave a brief frontline prognosis and stated that, "If anyone is hoping that Russian occupation forces will agree to a "ceasefire" or a reduction in the intensity of combat operations – these are just fantasies and nothing more." This also meant that despite the "Easter Truce", the truce was meant to be an interim phase to create conditions for further escalation along the Lyman-Kupyansk direction. Ukrainian officials also claimed that the goal was to divert forces from Donetsk region, where Russian forces have concentrated the 8th Combined Arms Army and a part of the 51st Combined Arms Army.<ref>{{cite web |title=May 2025 may mark major Russian offensive shift in Ukraine |url=https://global.espreso.tv/russia-ukraine-war-may-2025-may-mark-major-russian-offensive-shift-in-ukraine |website=Еспресо.}}</ref> Russian forces also reportedly used the truce to regroup and launch a large-scale infantry assault shortly after the end of the truce. Blyshchyk stated that, " A few hours after Putin announced the ceasefire, our positions came under massive artillery fire." He also claimed that Russian forces exploited the lull to reposition units and prepared for renewed assaults during the truce.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia used Easter truce to regroup in Lyman sector, launched offensive after, military says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-easter-truce-to-regroup-in-lyman-sector-launched-offensive-after-military-says/ |website=Kyiv Independent|date=22 April 2025 }}</ref> Ukrainian officials claimed that on victory day on 9 May, Russian forces would potentially attack the Lyman axis and that the Russia have amassed forces near the city of Lyman and preparing for an offensive.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kyrylo Sazonov: Putin seeks victory for May 9. Potential Russian strike and the threat of a Lyman cauldron |url=https://odessa-journal.com/kyrylo-sazonov-putin-seeks-victory-for-may-9-potential-russian-strike-and-the-threat-of-a-lyman-cauldron |website=Odessa Journal}}</ref>

On 2 January 2025, Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces crossed the Zherebets River and advanced into fields west of {{ill|Ivanivka, Kramatorsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Ivanivka|uk|Іванівка (Лиманська міська громада)}} northeast of Lyman.<ref name="ISW 2025 January 2">{{Cite ISW|date=2025-01-02}}</ref> On 4 January, Russian troops advanced, entering the central part of the village of Ivanivka, on the west bank of the Zherebets River.<ref name=":1" /> Two days later, they fully seized Ivanivka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three Ukrainian villages fall to Russian troops |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-troops-occupied-ukrainian-villages-of-lozova-ivanivka-and-shevchenko-50479586.html |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=New Voice |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 6, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-January-6-2025 |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zoria |first=Yuri |date=2025-01-07 |title=Russian forces capture three villages in eastern Ukraine, DeepState reports |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/07/russian-forces-capture-three-villages-in-eastern-ukraine-deepstate-reports/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Euromaidan Press |language=en-US}}</ref> Geolocated footage published on 18 and 19 January indicated that Russian forces had seized Ivanivka.<ref name='ISW 2025 January 19'/>

Throughout February and March, Russian forces of the 3rd and 144th Divisions of the 20th Combined Arms Army slowly expanded the bridgehead. By 31 March, Russian forces had advanced to the southern outskirts of the village of Katerynivka, and in early April, they advanced southeast of the village of Nove.<ref name=pravda>{{cite web |last1=Hlushchenko |first1=Olha |title=ISW analyses how Russians might use expansion of bridgehead near Lyman in Donetsk Oblast |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/04/2/7505614/ |website=Ukrainska Pravda|date=2 April 2025|access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=13 May 2025|website=RBC-Ukraine|url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russians-expand-foothold-near-lyman-isw-reveals-1743553277.html|title=Russians expand foothold near Lyman - ISW reveals Russia's plans|date=2 April 2025|first=Oleh|last=Velhan}}</ref>

By early April 2025, ISW assessed that the purpose of the Russian bridgehead may have been to create conditions for the seizure of Lyman and Borova in the Kharkiv Oblast in the coming months.<ref name=pravda/>

On 7 April, it was reported by pro-Ukrainian source DeepState that the situation near the villages of Nove, Katerynivka, and Nevske was "intensifying", as Russian forces reportedly had the advantage in this area. Russian forces conducted assaults near the village of Novomykhailivka and experienced "tactical success" in the vicinity of Nove and Nevske. Katerynivka was said to be under "constant pressure".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/04/7/7506318/ |website=Ukrainska Pravda|date=7 April 2025|access-date=14 May 2025|title=Situation intensifies on Lyman front – DeepState|first=Ivan|last=Diakonov}}</ref>

thumb|Territorial control on the Lyman front as of 27 August 2025

On 20 April, DeepState reported that Katerynivka had been captured by Russian forces.<ref>{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=14 May 2025|date=20 April 2025|website=Ukrainska Pravda|first=Катерина|last=Тищенко|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/04/20/7508408/|title=Росіяни окупували Катеринівку на Лиманському напрямку – DeepState|trans-title=The Russians occupied Katerynivka on the Lyman front}}</ref>

On 1 May, Russian forces advanced east of Katerynivka.<ref name='ISW 2025 May 1'/>

On 13 May, geolocated footage showed that Russian forces advanced in eastern Ridkodub, north of Lyman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 13, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-13-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> 2 days later on May 15, geolocated footage showed that Russian forces advanced in central Torske, east of Lyman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 15, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-15-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> However, on May 17, Ukrainian forces conducted a counteroffensive operation which led to Ukrainian forces recapturing positions in central Torske, where Russian forces just 2 days ago advanced.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 17, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-17-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 17, 2025 |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/52860 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref>

On May 24, Russian forces marginally advanced in central Lypove, north of Lyman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 24, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-24-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> Two days later on May 26, geolocated footage published indicated that Russian forces advanced further into Ridkodub and reached southern outskirts of the village.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 26, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-26-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> On May 28, Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russian forces launched 32 assaults, with the goal of breaching Ukrainian defences near the Serebrianka Forest, the settlements of Nadiia, Novomykhailivka, Ridkodub, Kopanky, Katerynivka, Yampolivka, Zelena Dolyna, Hrekivka, Hryhorivka, Karpivka and Novyi Myr.<ref>{{cite web |title=Total of 216 clashes across front line, over half on Lyman, Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka fronts – Ukraine's General Staff |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/28/7514402/ |website=Ukrainska Pravda}}</ref> By May 29, Russian forces seized the settlement of Ridkodub.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 29, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-29-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>

== Siversk front ==

=== Russian capture of Bilohorivka (12 February–24 March) === On 2 January, Russian forces advanced in the central part of the village of Bilohorivka.<ref name='ISW 2025 January 2'/>

Starting on 12 February 2025, Russian forces renewed efforts to seize Bilohorivka, making advances in western and northern parts of the village throughout the following week.<ref name="ISW 2025 February 12">{{cite ISW|date=2025-02-12}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 February 13">{{cite ISW|date=2025-02-13}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 February 16">{{cite ISW|date=2025-02-16}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 February 19">{{cite ISW|date=2025-02-19}}</ref>

On 23 February 2025, geolocated footage showed that Russian forces had seized Bilohorivka and the quarry south of the village. The unit which reportedly seized Bilohorivka was the 123rd Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Guards Combined Arms Army.<ref>{{cite web |last1=February |first1=Russian |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 23, 2025 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-23-2025 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>

During March 2025, after the capture of Bilohorivka, Russian forces advanced west of the village, south of the neighboring village of Hryhorivka, and north and south of the neighboring village of Verkhn'okam'yans'ke.<ref name='ISW 2025 March 6'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 9'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 11'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 13'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 14'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 22'/><ref name='ISW 2025 March 24'/>

After a very long operational pause on the Siversk front, geolocated footage indicated that Russian forces made advances in the eastern outskirts of Hryhorivka by 28 April 2025.<ref>{{cite ISW|date=2025-04-28}}</ref> On 1 May, Russian forces attacked Serebrianka and Verkhn'okam'yans'ke with no success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-ukraine-war-frontline-update-as-of-1746110900.html |first=Daryna|last=Vialko|website=RBC-Ukraine|title=Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of May 1 |date=1 May 2025|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> Russian forces advanced in the eastern outskirts of Hryhorivka on 1 May,<ref name="ISW 2025 May 1">{{cite ISW|date=2025-05-01}}</ref> and in the northeastern part of the village on 3 May.<ref>{{cite ISW|date=2025-05-03}}</ref><ref name=nv/> Intense fighting continued near Siversk on the same day.<ref name=nv>{{cite web |title=Russian forces push forward on five fronts, Ukraine counterattacks |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-troops-advance-on-five-fronts-ukrainian-armed-forces-counterattack-50511279.html |website=The New Voice of Ukraine|date=4 May 2025|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref>

=== South of Siversk === Footage released on 24 December 2024 indicated that Russian forces had likely taken control over the village of Ivano-Dar'yivka, southeast of Siversk.<ref name="ISW 2024 December 31"/> Simultaneously, Russian forces advanced 900 meters south of Vyiimka.<ref name="ISW 2024 December 31"/>

On 12 February and throughout the following week, south of Siversk, Russian forces advanced in north of the village of Mykolaivka, and in the southeastern part of the village of Fedorivka.<ref name='ISW 2025 February 12'/><ref name='ISW 2025 February 13'/><ref name='ISW 2025 February 16'/><ref name='ISW 2025 February 19'/>

South of Siversk, during March 2025, Russian forces advanced northwest of Sakko i Vantsetti and in the eastern part of the village of Vasiukivka.<ref name="ISW 2025 March 6">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-06}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 9">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-09}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 11">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-11}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 13">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-13}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 14">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-14}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 22">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-22}}</ref><ref name="ISW 2025 March 24">{{cite ISW|date=2025-03-24}}</ref>

=== Siversk axis (8 May–present) === On 8 May, since the start of Russia's unilateral ceasefire for the Victory Day holiday, Russian forces launched 2 attacks despite the ceasefire and thus, the attacks violated the ceasefire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Since start of Putin's "ceasefire", Russians have launched over 100 attacks along front line |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/8/7511287/ |website=Українська правда}}</ref>

On 25 July, the Ukrainian 11th Army Corps{{efn|Formally the Luhansk Operational Tactical Group}} claimed to have repelled a Russian assault of 150 soldiers on Siversk. They claimed to have killed 80 Russian troops and wounded 37, while also stating that the fighting was still ongoing.<ref name="g572">{{cite web | title=Siversk front defenders: Ukraine's 54th and 81st Brigades crush Russian assault | website=Ukrainska Pravda | date=2025-07-26 | url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/26/7523569/ | access-date=2025-07-29}}</ref>

Russia was reported to have captured Siversk by December 21.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Christopher |date=2025-12-22 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 21, 2025 |url=https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2025/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en-US |quote=Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on December 21 that Russian forces completed the seizure of Siversk, advanced to heights west and northwest of Siversk, and reached the chalk quarry west of Siversk.}}</ref>

On 27 December 2025, ''Ukrainian Pravda'' reported that the commanders of the 54th Mechanized Brigade, Colonel Oleksii Konoval, and the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, Colonel Volodymyr Potieshkin, were removed from command for having falsified reports about positions that were allegedly manned but in reality had long remained without personnel, leading to the fall of Siversk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-27 |author= OLHA KYRYLENKO|author2= ROMAN PETRENKO |title= Commanders of 54th and 10th brigades removed after loss of Siversk |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/27/8013612/index.amp |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Ukrainian Pravda}}</ref>

== Analysis == In January 2025, during fighting for the village of Ivanivka, a spokesman for Ukraine's 60th Mechanized Brigade said that Russian forces were planning to capture Lyman in order to reach the major city of Sloviansk through the rural settlement of Raihorodok.<ref>{{cite web|language=uk|website=Militarnyi|access-date=14 May 2025|date=4 January 2025|first=Тарас|last=Сафронов|title=Для вибиття окупантів з Іванівки залучили танки|url=https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/dlya-vybyttya-okupantiv-z-ivanivky-zaluchyly-tanky/}}</ref>

In April 2025, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 66th Mechanized Brigade, fighting on the Lyman front, claimed that at times, they were outnumbered by Russian infantry by a 10:1 ratio.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zadorozhnyy |first1=Tim |title=Russian forces sometimes outnumber Ukraine 10 to 1 in Lyman sector, military says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-intensifies-assaults-in-lyman-sector-with-mass-infantry-drone-attacks-military-says/ |website=Kyiv Independent|date=8 April 2025|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== Notes == {{notelist}}

Category:Luhansk Oblast campaign Category:Military operations of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2024 Category:Military operations of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2025 Category:December 2024 in Ukraine Category:January 2025 in Ukraine Category:February 2025 in Ukraine Category:March 2025 in Ukraine Category:April 2025 in Ukraine Category:Eastern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Luhansk Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Donetsk Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Campaigns of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:May 2025 in Ukraine Category:June 2025 in Ukraine Category:July 2025 in Ukraine Category:August 2025 in Ukraine Category:September 2025 in Ukraine Category:October 2025 in Ukraine Category:November 2025 in Ukraine Category:December 2025 in Ukraine Category:January 2026 in Ukraine Category:February 2026 in Ukraine Category:March 2026 in Ukraine Category:Military operations of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2026 Category:April 2026 in Ukraine