Russian forces are once again making active advances on the front line in Donetsk region, raising concerns among Ukrainian military experts and international analysts
According to the independent project DeepState, during the night of April 23, militants broke through closer to the defensive positions of Ukrainian forces near the settlements of Sukhaya Balka and Yasenevo, confirming an escalation of the situation in one of the most tense areas of the front. Based on information obtained from DeepState sources, Russian occupiers carried out a local advance in the area of Sukhaya Balka, located near the strategically important Pokrovsk direction. This area traditionally remains one of the key points in the series of military operations in the region, and any changes in positions there have a significant impact on the overall situation. At the same time, the Russians also advanced in the area near the village of Yasenevo, situated on the border between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. This allows them to secure new zones of control and complicates the Ukrainian army’s ability to monitor the situation. Analysts from international intelligence centers, including the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), suggest that the Kremlin is likely aiming to use these temporary advances to create greater chaos and disorientation among Ukrainian forces and the international community. According to their assessments, Russian command is deliberately increasing information pressure by spreading reports of "successes" to boost the morale of their forces and create an illusion of invincibility. The background to these events is based on data from April 19, when DeepState reported active fortification efforts by Russian occupiers in the village of Kalynove — one of the key strongholds in Donetsk. The Russians have intensified mobilizing infantry there, actively arranging logistics lines, and maintaining communication with operational units. Overall, forces in this sector are preparing for a possible new offensive operation toward Stara Mykolaivka and the route to Kostiantynivka. These actions indicate that Russia is still striving to maintain significant influence in the region, and breakthroughs near Sukhaya Balka and Yasenevo are an important element of this strategy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are actively preparing for a possible counteroffensive to prevent further deepening of the breakthroughs and force the occupiers to retreat to their positions. The situation on the front remains tense, and every new Russian breakthrough causes additional anxiety among Ukrainian defenders and international partners who are monitoring the region. International analysts warn that the Kremlin is likely planning not only tactical advances but also creating a destabilizing environment to increase internal and external pressure on Ukraine. This again emphasizes the importance of reinforced defenses and readiness of Ukrainian forces to respond to any changes in the frontline situation.