Russia's war on Ukraine. 23.07.25
Operational situation
On the Northern Slobozhansky direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces resumed the offensive on Glushkovo and Tetkino, and attacked near Kindrativka.
Russian troops attempted to advance south of Demidovka and west of Grafovka, to the eastern outskirts of Kindrativka, southwest of Kindrativka, and north of Prokhody. They fight for Oleksiivka. The 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigade captured Varachyne. The enemy attacked near Kindrativka, Andriivka, and Yunakivka. The 56th Air Assault Regiment of the 7th Air Assault Division conducted an unsuccessful attack near Bezsalivka.
On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, Russian troops attempted to advance in Vovchansk, near Starytsya, continued the offensive in the direction of Velykyi Burluk, and advanced 500 meters southwest of Milove.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops attacked near Kupyansk, Stroyivka, Kamyanka, Holubivka, Kutkivka, Zakhidne, Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, Zahryzove, Hrekivka, in the direction of Petropavlivka, Bohuslavka, and attempted to advance in Zelenyi Hai.
On the Lyman direction, Russian troops captured Lypove, advanced southwest of it, in the eastern part of Torske, and south of Karpivka. They attacked in the direction of Shandryholove, Serednie, near Novyi Myr, Zelena Dolyna, Karpivka, Kolodyazi, Myrne, Yampolivka, Torske, and in the Serebriansk Forest.
On the Siversk direction, Russian troops attacked near Serebrianka, Hryhorivka, Verkhnyokamianske, and Pereyizne.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 77th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 7th Military Base of the 49th Combined Arms Army captured Bila Hora. Russian troops attacked near Bila Hora and Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced northwest of Dyliivka.
Russian troops advanced west of Toretsk, in the northern part of Popiv Yar, in the southern part of Poltavka, east and west of the settlement, south of Rusyn Yar, and northwest of Shcherbynivka. They attacked near Dyliivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Rusyn Yar, Romanivka, Yablunivka, Novospaske, and in the direction of Katerynivka and Pleshchiivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated Razyne.
Russian troops fight for Novotoretske and Fedorivka, attempt to advance south of Promin, west of Mykolaivka, and southwest of Mayak. They attacked near Pokrovsk, Boykivka, Krasnyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, Volodymyrivka, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Chunyshyne, Novoukrainka, Kotlyne, Zvirove, and Udachne. Enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups operate near Shakhove, entered Myrnohrad, advance near Pokrovsk from the southwest, and advanced slightly east of Zvirove after intensifying assaults south of Pokrovsk.
On the Novopavlivka direction, in the Novokhatske – Zelenyi Hai direction, assault units of the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army advanced from Novokhatske to the eastern outskirts of Zelenyi Hai and began fighting for it. Earlier, the brigade's units advanced in the Piddubne – Iskra direction along the Zaporizhzhia – Donetsk highway, but their attacks towards Iskra were unsuccessful. In the Myrne – Oleksandrohrad direction, the 430th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 29th Combined Arms Army actively advances and has advanced 5.5 km here. Units of the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army attempt to consolidate in the eastern part of Voskresenka, despite counterattacks by Ukrainian Defense Forces south of the village. The 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade's actions are actively assisted by the 430th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment, whose assault groups attempt to break through to Voskresenka from the north. The 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the 5th Combined Arms Army conducts an intensive offensive from the Zelene Pole – Novopil line towards Temyrivka along the Huliaypole – Velyka Novosilka road. Its assault groups consolidate on the outskirts of Temyrivka. Units of the 69th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade attack the forward positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces, attempting to capture Malynivka and subsequently advance north towards the village of Poltavka.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian troops advanced in the northeast of Mala Tokmachka, captured a brick factory, and attempted to advance northeast of Kamyanske and towards Stepnohirsk.
General conclusion:
On the Lyman direction, Russian troops constantly attack and suffer colossal losses, with a killed-in-action ratio of 1 to 66 in favor of Ukrainian Defense Forces. The enemy is preparing a strong point near Dibrova with engineering equipment.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops advancing on the E50 Pokrovsk – Pavlohrad highway have reached the southern outskirts of Pokrovsk. Enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups infiltrate Pokrovsk through Zvirove. The enemy's successes northeast of Pokrovsk contribute to the envelopment of the city, cutting the T0515 Pokrovsk – Dobropillya highway, complicating the logistics of Ukrainian Defense Forces' garrison and their withdrawal routes. The enemy will increase its efforts to advance northeast of Pokrovsk while simultaneously intensifying attacks on the city from the south and southwest, attempting to force Ukrainian troops to retreat under the threat of encirclement.
As of the evening of July 22, 2025, the enemy "Vostok (East)" Operational Grouping continued its offensive on the Novopavlivka direction, delivering the main blow with its right flank – along the southern bank of the Vovcha River and on both sides of the Zaporizhzhia – Donetsk highway. Additionally, the enemy continued to actively attack in a number of sectors in the operational zones of the 5th and 35th Combined Arms Armies, attempting to provide cover from the southern flank for the 29th and 36th Combined Arms Armies. The pace of the enemy's advance is increasing and amounts to almost 16 km2 per day.
In an operational sense, it should be noted that if the enemy captures the Havrylivka – Zelenyi Hai – Temyrivka – Novomykolayivka area, it will create the initial conditions for offensive operations not only in Donetsk but also in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia (on the Huliaypole direction) oblasts.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 167 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11 enemy attacks. The enemy also launched 15 airstrikes.
On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, the enemy attempted to break through the defensive lines once in the Zakhidne area.
On the Kupyansk direction, 4 enemy attacks occurred. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy assault actions in the areas of Holubivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Zahryzove.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy conducted 21 attacks, attempting to penetrate the defense in the areas of Hrekivka, Kolodyazi, Zelena Dolyna, Myrne, Yampolivka, Torske, and in the direction of Serebrianka.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy conducted 4 attempts to advance in the Hryhorivka area.
On the Kramatorsk direction, a combat engagement occurred near Chasiv Yar.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy conducted 13 attacks in the areas of Dyliivka, Toretsk, Oleksandro-Kalynove, and Rusyn Yar.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 74 aggressor assault actions were stopped in the areas of Poltavka, Novotoretske, Novoekonomichne, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Zvirove, Udachne, Zelene Kut, Dachne, and Oleksiivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy conducted 9 attacks near Voskresenka, Yalta, Piddubne, and Zelene Pole.
On the Prydniprovske direction, the enemy conducted 7 unsuccessful attempts to attack the positions of Ukrainian units.
Supporting operation:
Ukrainian Defense Forces launched UAV strikes on the Novocherkassk railway station, the Novocherkassk State District Power Plant, targets in Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog of Rostov Oblast, JSC "Novokuibyshevskaya Petrochemical Company" in Samara Oblast, and targets on the territory of Kursk, Bryansk, Orel, Kaluga, Tula, and Lipetsk oblasts.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 155th Separate Marines Brigade operates near Andriivka and Oleksiivka; the 76th Air Assault Division is active in Yunakivka; the 177th Separate Marines Regiment is engaged near Khotin and Pysarivka.
The enemy "Vostok (East)" Operational Grouping consists of the 5th, 29th, 35th, and 36th Combined Arms Armies and the 68th Army Corps, the 14th Separate SOF Brigade, the 40th and 336th Separate Marines Brigades, the 430th Motorized Rifle Regiment, and the 212th and 392nd District Training Centers for Junior Specialists. The 11th and 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigades carry out tasks in Sumy Oblast in the Yablunivka area.
The 5th Combined Arms Army includes the 127th Motorized Rifle Division, the 57th and 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades. The 35th Combined Arms Army includes the 38th and 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, and the 69th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade. The 36th Combined Arms Army includes the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 5th Separate Tank Brigade. The 29th Combined Arms Army includes the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. The 68th Army Corps includes the 18th Machine Gun – Artillery Division. The 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the corps has currently been redeployed to the Pokrovsk direction, where it is assaulting Novoekonomichne.
The number of personnel is 85-90 thousand servicemen, 225-240 tanks, 620-650 armored fighting vehicles, 550-600 guns and mortars, and 160-220 multiple launch rocket systems.
Possible operation situation developments:
According to the estimates of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the enemy will not be able to achieve the Kremlin's goal of capturing the entire Donetsk Oblast by the end of 2025. The new operational task of the enemy grouping in the theater of military operations is to advance to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and create a buffer zone 10 km deep. Full occupation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts is possible no earlier than February 2028, provided current rates of advancement are maintained.
On the Northern Slobozhansky direction, the enemy’s “Sever (North)” Operational Grouping is trying to reach the Mala Korchakivka – Nova Sich – Maryinka – Sadky line.
The command of the enemy's "Sever (North)" Operational Grouping in cooperation with the right flank of “Zapad (West)” Operational Grouping in the Southern Slobozhansky direction, will attempt to expand its bridgehead northeast of Velykyi Burluk and capture Hatnie before attacking the city. For this purpose, the troops will have to force water obstacles, including the Velykyi Burluk River on the Shevchenkove – Mykhailivka – Velykyi Burluk line. Villages located along the river will become a significant obstacle for Russian troops. The Vovchansk – Velykyi Burluk – Dvorichna line can become a powerful defensive line within Russia's buffer zone in northern Kharkiv Oblast if the enemy can combine its efforts from three directions in the medium and long term. The enemy cannot launch an offensive in the direction of Kupyansk due to complex logistical measures that must be carried out to accumulate troops on the western bank of the Oskil River.
On the Lyman direction, the forces of the Russian “Zapad (West)” Operational Grouping will attempt to reach the line of Karlivka – Shandryholove – Drobysheve, while simultaneously advancing near Torske in an effort to enter Lyman from the east. The “Starobilsk” Operational-Tactical Group (OTG) will be forced to withdraw from the area of Kopani – Novoyehorivka – Druzhelyubivka – Cherneshchyna, in response to the enemy’s advance along the southern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River in the direction of Bilohorivka – Serebrianka, within the operational zone of the neighboring 3rd Combined Arms Army of the “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping. If on the Lyman direction the enemy succeeds in achieving operational surprise and advances to tactical depth, the situation in the Kolodyazi–Hryhorivka section will deteriorate significantly for the “Kharkiv” OTG.
On the Siversk direction, the command of the enemy's "Yug (South)" Operational Grouping will attempt to eliminate the Siversk salient held by "Khortytsia" OSG and break through towards the Sloviansk – Kramatorsk agglomeration. The 3rd Combined Arms Army will try to break through to the northern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River between Yampil and Hryhorivka, and from the southeast – toward Siversk. In the near future, the enemy will try to capture Pereyizne and attack Zvanivka along the eastern bank of the Bakhmutka River, attempting to break through to Siversk from the south.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the command of the enemy’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping and the 3rd Army may shift the direction of their main strike to the north of Chasiv Yar and launch an offensive on both sides of the Bakhmut–Sloviansk road, along the directions of Orikhovo-Vasylivka–Minkivka and Blahodatne–Pryvillya. This would allow them to break through to the immediate approaches to Sloviansk directly from the southeast and create a real threat of a deep envelopment of the right flank of the “Starobilsk” Operational Tactical Group (OTG).
The enemy's “Tsentr (Center)” Operational Grouping will try to envelope Pokrovsk and bypass the “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast from the west in the coming months. The enemy command may attempt to exploit the penetration in the Pokrovsk–Toretsk sector to bypass the defenses of the “Khortytsia” Operational and Strategic Grouping (OSG) in Kostyantynivka from the southwest and west. The reconnaissance-in-force and frontal attacks conducted by the enemy from the south and southeast towards Pokrovsk indicate a specific plan that involves troop actions to tie down the forces of Operational Strategic Group "Khortytsia" and its reserves on the inner flanks of the city's defense.
An envelopment of Pokrovsk from the northeast requires the enemy to significantly advance in the direction of Rodynske, capture it, and establish a powerful defense area there. This will enable attacks on Pokrovsk or advancement to Novooleksandrivka with the aim of cutting off the M30 Pokrovsk – Pavlohrad highway and forcing the “Khortytsia” OSG to withdraw from Pokrovsk under threat of encirclement. Other options for enemy actions include advancing north of Udachne or Kotlyne with the goal of cutting off the M30 highway if they manage to break through Ukrainian defenses, or attempting to wedge between Dobropillya and Kostyantynivka to bypass the "fortress belt" from the west. Russian troops will attempt to cut off Ukrainian logistics along the T0515 Pokrovsk – Dobropillya highway attacking west of Razyne for this purpose.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the command of the enemy "Vostok (East)" Operational Grouping is trying to capture the area of Havrylivka – Zelenyi Hai – Temyrivka – Novomykolayivka between the Vovcha and Vorona rivers, at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The lines for the armies' immediate objectives may be: for the 5th Combined Arms Army – the Komyshuvakha – Temyrivka line, and for the 36th and 29th Combined Arms Armies – the Havrylivka – Novoselivka line. In the near future, continued enemy attacks should be expected in the operational zone of the 29th Combined Arms Army in the direction of Piddubne – Iskra along the Zaporizhzhia – Donetsk highway, and for the 36th Combined Arms Army – an assault on Voskresenka from three directions and a further breakthrough towards Novoselivka. The Operational Grouping seeks to reach the eastern bank of the Vovcha River in the Novoselivka – Iskra sector as quickly as possible. The 5th Combined Arms Army will try to conduct similar actions further south, on the Vorona River, to capture Temyrivka and advance towards Komyshuvakha.
Russian troops have created conditions for an advance in the direction of Huliaypole, Velykomykhaylivka, and Havrylivka. The “Vostok (East)” Operational Grouping is capable of conducting an offense operation westward through Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, using the H15 Kurakhove – Zaporizhzhia highway. Enemy troops will have to force the Khaychur, Solona, Verkhnya Tersa, and Vovcha rivers, cross the T0408 Preobrazhennia – Novomykolayivka and T0401 Pokrovsk – Huliaypole highways, and capture several cities the size of Chasiv Yar, which could become a significant problem for the aggressor. A rapid advance of approximately 150 km from positions in Novokhatske to Zaporizhzhia is extremely unlikely, considering the current pace of the enemy's offensive.
Russian operational losses from 23.02.22 to 23.07.25
Personnel - almost 1,045 220 (+970);
Tanks – 11,041 (+3);
Armored combat vehicles ‒ 23,037 (+2);
Artillery systems – 30,722 (+42);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,446 (+1);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,199 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 56,041 (+88);
Aircraft - 421 (0);
Helicopters – 340 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 47,552 (+115);
Intercepted cruise and other missiles – 3,533 (0);
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
On the night of July 23, starting from 8:00 p.m. on July 22, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 71 Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones, with Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy Oblasts coming under attack. According to preliminary data, Air Defense Forces destroyed or suppressed 27 drones, another 18 were lost track of or suppressed by Electronic Warfare assets, hits from 26 drones were recorded in 14 settlements, and fragments of downed drones fell in five other locations.
On the evening of July 22 and the night of July 23, Russian forces attacked Kryvyi Rih and Sumy Oblast with kamikaze drones: explosions were recorded, hits in Kryvyi Rih occurred at an enterprise and private houses, causing a fire; in Sumy Oblast, Russian troops attacked a facility of "Sumyoblenerho" JSC with a drone, damaging energy equipment. Some consumers in Sumy district are without power, and hospitals and other important facilities are operating on backup power.
As a result of a Russian attack on Kherson and the village of Zorivka in Kherson Oblast, a 66-year-old woman was killed, and three other people were wounded. In Kherson, a drone wounded a 48-year-old man who sustained a blast injury and multiple shrapnel wounds. In Zorivka, a drone injured two 13-year-old children — they sustained concussions, blast injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
On July 23, Russian troops attacked a civilian car with a drone as it was moving along a dirt road between the villages of Neznamne and Romashkove in Kherson Oblast; as a result of the strike, two men were killed and two other people were wounded.
In Kherson Oblast, on a highway near the village of Klapaia, Russian military personnel attacked a civilian car with a drone, and a 53-year-old man was injured.
During the day on July 23, Russian troops shelled Nikopol and Synelnykove districts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: as a result of the strikes, a farm and facilities in both territories were damaged.
On the evening of July 22, the Russian army struck the territory of a market in the village of Velykyi Burluk in Kupiansk district with drones. As a result of the hits, a fire broke out in trading pavilions over an area of about 500 sq. m.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine established July 28 as a Day of Mourning and Commemoration for the defenders of Ukraine, volunteers, and civilians who were executed, tortured, or died in captivity.