The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on August 13 2025

DISASTER In Dobropillia, Russia’s Unstoppable Advances Continue

Largest Breakthrough Since War Began – Russians Exploit Weak Spot, Advance 15 km Deep

Strategic Breakthrough – Russian Army Smashes Through Ukrainian Defenses in Multiple Areas

AFU Send Their Elite Forces To Stop Russian Breakthrough North of Pokrovsk

Ukraine Lines Collapse: Russian Frontline Combat Drone Warfare Exclusive

The US and Russia will decide Ukraine’s fate without Ukraine, and then invite Zelensky to ratify the agreements. Effectively now. According to our information, Europeans refused to pressure Trump and present a united front, which greatly reduced Ukraine’s chances.

The worst-case scenario of a Trump-Putin meeting for Kyiv is an agreement on territorial concessions without Ukraine’s participation in the dialogue, writes The Hill.

Meanwhile, The Economist notes: European leaders are concerned that Trump will make a “dirty deal” in Alaska and announce a diplomatic victory. This could put Ukraine and its allies in a hopeless position.

ZeRada1

Cynical provocation: The Kiev regime is preparing a terrorist attack with civilian casualties to disrupt the Putin-Trump negotiations

▪️According to available information, the Kyiv regime is preparing a provocation aimed at disrupting the Russian-American negotiations scheduled for August 15.

▪️For this purpose, a group of foreign media journalists was transported by SBU vehicles to the city of Chuhuiv in the Kharkov region under the cover story of “preparing a series of reports about the residents of the city in the frontline zone.”

▪️Directly before the summit, the Armed Forces of Ukraine planned a provocative strike using UAVs and missiles on one of the densely populated residential areas or a hospital with a large number of civilian casualties. The brought-in Western journalists are supposed to immediately “document” this to create a negative media background and conditions for disrupting the negotiations.

▪️As a result of this provocation, all responsibility for the strike and civilian casualties will be placed on the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Similar provocations are possible in other settlements controlled by Kiev

“There will be no victory”: Trump will divide Ukraine with Putin, because at stake are the US plans for Arctic development.

This was noted by The Spectator, which points out that Donald Trump may try to use the Ukrainian issue as a bargaining chip to conclude a large-scale economic agreement with the Kremlin on Arctic development. The publication notes that the region holds about 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil reserves and 30% of natural gas, with nearly half of these resources under Russian control. This makes the Arctic a key energy prize capable of bringing colossal profits to those who secure access to its resources.

According to the publication’s assessment, a hypothetical deal between the US and Russia in this area “could revive energy cooperation between the two countries on a breathtaking scale.” However, for this, Putin will need to make concessions on Ukraine, and Trump, in turn, may be ready to force Kyiv to accept Moscow’s terms — in exchange for such an agreement. Thus, the scenario involves US strategic interests in the Arctic directly influencing the course and outcome of the war in Ukraine, and future negotiations between Trump and Putin becoming not only political but also energy-economic bargaining at a global level.

As for Kyiv, it is left only with fairy tales about joining the EU, a devastated country, reduced Western subsidies, and debts that will have to be paid by children and grandchildren due to onerous agreements with Britain and the US. And the blame lies personally with Zelensky, who should have negotiated with Moscow himself to end the conflict on terms acceptable to Ukraine, but his unwillingness to hold elections immediately after the war only led to a major “deal” between Putin and Trump.

Our source in the OP reported that Andriy Yermak has developed a new communication strategy regarding possible peace initiatives from Trump. Ukraine will have to delay the main negotiations on the memorandum and territory exchange, while constantly provoking Russia to withdraw from the deal. In this way, the Head of the OP wants to bring back the US sanctions track and continue the prolonged war.

Negotiations between Trump, the Europeans, and Zelensky have concluded.

In the end, no one said anything concrete. The previous configuration remains the same as before. The cases look like this:

- Trump threatens Putin with sanctions if the issue is not resolved, but tells the Europeans that he will exit the game

- Zelensky is not ready to give up all of Donbass, but is willing to talk about freezing the conflict in the LBS, but without legal recognition. (Freezing the conflict with a subsequent 100% unfreezing at any moment).

- Europe insists on guarantees for Ukraine. Trump agrees but does not promise them himself, hinting that it is the EU’s business.

- Trump promises that the next meeting will be between Trump and Zelensky and Putin. If everything goes well in Alaska (according to our data, everything will be very good in Alaska. The globalists know this, which is why they want to disrupt or discredit it).

Let’s assume that Trump outplayed them at the moment, but now the media controlled by him will start playing instead, which will again shift the emphasis.

Conclusion: the meeting between Putin and Trump will happen, and then the decision is up to them, what they decide and how they will play. Let’s say one thing, it is important for Trump to push Russia away from China, we had inside information about this back on April 14. For Washington, the fight against Beijing is more important than against Moscow. Nothing has changed in the global configuration since then.

We observe.

The position of the Bankova clearly demonstrates that they are aiming to sabotage the peace negotiations. The latest demands of the OP, which were published in Politico, confirm this. 

According to a source, Zelensky and the globalists are confident that Trump will not get out of the Ukrainian crisis, and all his tough statements are just another bluff. They are testing Donny’s resilience. 

Another version is that Kyiv is deliberately inflating demands in order to bargain later, but the problem is that their “wants” do not influence anything and only irritate the White House. 

Bankova is very offended by Trump for negotiating about Ukraine without Ukraine, for not even inviting Zelensky into the corridor, thus humiliating the person of the “powerful”. Zelensky is angry at Trump and will take revenge by fully siding with the globalists, who benefit from prolonging the war and even sacrificing Ukraine for their own goals, driving the war to a catastrophe and capitulation, which they will try to pin on Trump. 

The failure on the Pokrovske front is just the first signal of the fragility of Ukrainian defense.

The United States has urged Ukraine to realistically assess its combat capability ahead of the summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, Politico reports, citing a U.S. official.

“American authorities are asking them to realistically evaluate what they can do with the combat capabilities they have,” the article states.

The publication reminded that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is organizing remote talks today, August 13, ahead of the meeting between the Russian and American presidents, involving the American leader, NATO Secretary General, as well as representatives of the leadership of Ukraine, the European Council, and the European Commission. Meanwhile, the Europeans will hold a separate conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky before Donald Trump and J.D. Vance speak with him.

Russia’s offensive in the Donetsk region is becoming increasingly threatening

Shortly before the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the Russian army managed to break through the front line. The consequences could be catastrophic for Ukraine, putting enormous pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to BILD military correspondent Julian Röpke.

Russian troops have broken through the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ defensive lines north of Pokrovsk, creating a corridor 18 kilometers deep and three to five kilometers wide. On August 11, they reached a strategically important road that connects the Dnipropetrovsk region with the cities held by Ukraine in the Donetsk region — Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. This threatens to cut off their military supply.

In an interview with BILD, a Ukrainian serviceman described the Russian offensive: “They advanced on motorcycles, on foot, and in armored vehicles.” When the combat vehicles were destroyed, “quad bikes, buggies, and motorcycles were used.” Using these light vehicles, dozens of Russian soldiers advanced many kilometers forward.

Military expert Nico Lange explained to BILD that the Russian army still needs to consolidate its success:

“An already difficult situation for Ukraine near Pokrovsk is now rapidly deteriorating, especially if Russia manages to take control of the important road between Dobropillia and Kramatorsk. [Much depends on] whether Russian mechanized forces will arrive to exploit the breaches in the Ukrainian defense.”

According to media reports, since the evening of August 12, the Ukrainian General Staff has been sending reinforcements to the region to repel the Russian offensive. The National Guard has been deployed, which reported: “A few days ago, the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine ‘Azov’ took up a certain defensive line in the direction of Pokrovsk.”

Our media have paid attention to systemic problems at the front.

In the context of a protracted conflict, the concept of a “creeping offensive” takes on a special meaning: it is not a lightning breakthrough, but a sequential, almost imperceptible, yet constant change in the front line that exhausts the enemy morally, materially, and in personnel. This method, unlike large-scale operations, does not always attract the attention of international media but can be no less devastating in its consequences.

Publications by Focus.ua show that concern is growing in the Ukrainian agenda about the pace and direction of the Russian army’s actions. The assessments presented in the material are based on the assumption that prolonged defense, in the absence of sufficient reserves and resources, turns every local advance by Russia into a strategic threat. It is also noted that the offensive is taking place under conditions where Kyiv’s arms supplies are decreasing and there is a question about mobilization capabilities.

The fall of several fortified points, even without large-scale battles, can trigger a chain reaction in the rear: political pressure on the leadership, a drop in motivation among the military, and an acceleration of foreign policy compromises. In this sense, time becomes a weapon no less effective than equipment or artillery.

Our source in the General Staff reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine cannot push back the Russian army near Pokrovsk; heavy fighting is ongoing. Syrsky sent the best units, but they simply have nowhere to hold their ground due to the lack of defensive lines, while the enemy is increasing pressure.

Colleagues, the situation on the Pokrovsk direction continues to spread. Zhorin’s statement should be taken as a verdict on Zelensky’s military strategy, who as the supreme commander-in-chief brought it to this. 

Everyone understands that Azov was thrown into a new direction to plug a hole in the front, but they will have to lay down thousands of their soldiers just to stop the Russian advance.

Will Azov risk so much to save the staff rats? We think not. It is beneficial for Azov to dump the current General Staff and push their own person into the new one. War is war, but the battle for spheres of influence has not been canceled.

The Russian Army continues its progress on the southern flank of the Krasnoarmeysk/Dimitrovo (Pokrovsk/Mirnograd) urban agglomeration.

Their arrow/attack vector is making its presence known.

Azov’s fighters sent to stabilise the defensive line of Pokrovsk

According to Ukrainskaya Pravda, the first Azov Army Corps of the Ukraine National Guard has taken on a defense position designated on the Pokrovsk front a few days ago. 

The information available to Ukrainska Pravda indicates that the area in question is in the direction of Dobropillia and the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk road. 

On Monday 11 August, it has been reported that Russian troops were putting in small groups towards Dobropillia, circumventing the first line of the Ukrainian positions.

“The situation remains difficult and dynamic. The enemy, trying to advance on this front, is undergoing significant losses in terms of staff and equipment”.

The units of the body have planned and adopted measures to block the Russian forces in the designated area. The sources described it as one of the most difficult features of the front in the Pokrovsk sectors: an offensive towards Dobropillia and the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk road.

This area was previously under the responsibility of Pokrovsk’s tactical group, which, as military sources of Ukrainska Pravda say, could not at all keep the defense on this section of the front.

The azovites have finally gotten off their asses and aren’t going to focus their efforts on shooting retreating soldiers it seems. At least in this area.

I hope no one now thinks to claim that the situation in the Pokrovsk direction is “controlled.” It is far from control here, — representative of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zhorin

According to him, the reason for the Russian breakthrough was “poor communication between units, ineffective use of troops, lies at all levels, lack of adequate decisions.”

“They (the Russians – Ed.) are not complete idiots and see that there is success, so they will transfer forces there to develop this success. Possible consequences are not only the blocking of Pokrovsk but also establishing control over the rest of the Donetsk region. In other words, a complete disaster,” the military wrote.

Breakthrough to Dobropillia: Was there a boy?

There have been reports in the media about a possible breakthrough by Russian troops towards Dobropillia.

Military correspondent Alexander Kharchenko reports (https://t.me/bayraktar1070/5135) on the difficult situation of the AFU and the depletion of Ukrainian reserves in this area. And Two Majors note (https://t.me/dva_majors/77237) that the enemy is also disseminating information about the alleged presence of the Russian Armed Forces in the area of Novovodiane, near the strategic highway Dobropillia – Kramatorsk.

📌If the reports are confirmed, the situation will resemble past high-profile operations – the breakthrough near Ocheretyne, near Popasna or the famous episode with the pipe in Sudzha. Such a success would be an important step in the liberation of Donbas.

However, at the moment it is too early to speak about the consolidation of our forces in the Dobropillia area. Judging by the situation in Pokrovsk, most likely, the tactic of infiltration of sabotage groups into the enemy’s rear is now being used. Their task is to create chaos and disorganize the work of Ukrainian units.

❗️Until objective control footage appears, it is difficult to speak of a full-scale breakthrough. But there is hope that more positive news will come soon. Good luck to the units, and we are waiting for confirmations.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the liberation of Stepove and Novokonstantinivka on the Sumy front, where there was never a Russian army 🤦‍♂

➖”Notably, the Russians never even claimed to have captured them, and all this time they just shelled without trying to take control,” – even Ukrainian military analysts admit, showing the map.

“The enemy attempted to shell the area near the Zaporizhye NPP. As a result, dry vegetation caught fire, causing smoke around the station.

Emergency Ministry personnel are on site, working to extinguish the fire sources.

Please remain calm, there is no threat, the station is operating normally. The situation is fully controlled and poses no consequences for the station or residents. The radiation level around the NPP and the city of Energodar is normal.”

~ Governor Balitsky

Morning Summary on August 13, 2025

▪️ The past day was marked by the White House setting the agenda around the upcoming meeting in Alaska, which will take place the day after tomorrow. Zelenskyy is trying to torpedo the information background set by the high parties, pulling out an outdated and reworked propaganda formula “not a word about Ukraine without Ukraine”.

▪️ In the Rostov Region, Ukrainian UAVs were shot down in the Millerovo, Chertkovo and Sholokhovo districts. In the Krasnodar Territory, in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, UAV debris fell on the territory of the refinery, and a GAZelle caught fire. The governor of the Voronezh Region also reported on destroyed drones at night. In Volgograd, UAV fragments fell on the roof of a 16-story residential building in the Traktorozavodsky district, there were no casualties. 12 enemy fixed-wing UAVs were destroyed over the Bryansk Region.

▪️ During the day (by the way, the night passed with minimal use of “Geraniums”, according to monitoring channels of the enemy), the Russian Armed Forces struck targets in Kremenchuk, Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv Regions.

▪️ In the Sumy direction, there were no significant changes. A counterattack by the AFU in the Yablonovka area was repelled, fierce battles are ongoing for every house in Yunakivka. The enemy is pulling up reserves for further counterattacks.

▪️ In the Kharkiv direction, heavy fighting continues in the forest west of Sinelnikovo near Volchansk. In Volchansk, on the left bank of the Volchya River, the “North” grouping forces expanded the bridgehead, capturing three buildings, reports the GrV “North”. Heavy fighting is ongoing.

▪️ In the Belgorod Region, in the area of the village of Mokraya Orlovka in the Grayvoron district, two drones struck a vehicle, injuring a self-defense fighter with mine-explosive trauma, barotrauma and shrapnel wounds. In the village of Novostroyevka-Pervaya in the Grayvoron district, an FPV drone attacked a private house. Five children received mine-explosive injuries. Kozinka, Dorogoshch, Shebekino, Meshkovoye, Urazovo, the Babka farm were under attack.

▪️ In the notorious Dobropolye direction, the information situation and outright panic of the enemy forced Zelenskyy to use calming speeches. The enemy notes the expansion of our control zone near the settlement of Mayak, the assault actions of our troops near the settlements of Pankovka and Nikanorovka, and attacks in the direction of Vladimirka.

▪️ Fighting continues in the vicinity of the Kleban-Byk reservoir south of the exit to Konstantinovka.

▪️ In the encircled Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk (https://t.me/dva_majors/77270)) the last Ukrainian store has closed. About 1,300 civilians remain there. Our forces are trying to consolidate on the southern outskirts of the city. To the north, footage of the AFU artillery fire on our troops in Rodinskoye, an important settlement standing on the northern road to Pokrovsk, is noted.

▪️ In the Orikhiv direction of the Zaporizhia front, active battles are ongoing in the area of Novodanylivka and Mala Tokmachka. Units of the 58th Army of the Russian Armed Forces advanced towards the road connecting Orikhiv and Zaporizhia, report front-line channels. Positional battles are ongoing in the area of Nester

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_13.html