The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on September 18 2025

Ukraine Sends AZOV To Save Kupyansk, Russia Pushes Close To City Center

Kupiansk falling. Russia attrition war accelerates

Severesk Falls – Russian Forces Deliver Devastating Blow to Ukrainian Supply Lines

Russian Forces Advance Across Entire Eastern Front | Final Defensive Lines

Ukraine in Chaos: Tens of Thousands Flee the Front as Russia Eyes Breakthrough to the Dnipro

Ex-General EXPOSES Ukraine’s Costly Mistakes vs Russia

Zelensky continues to publicly and in closed meetings assure his circle of victory over the Russian Federation, but the Ukrainian elites are quietly trying to “shake” the president through the West.

Thus, at a meeting with the “Servant of the People” deputies, Zelensky categorically stated: Donbass will not be given to Russia, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are allegedly moving towards victory (a rather unsubstantiated statement, considering the current state of affairs). Zelensky’s response was in the usual style: promises of security, assertions of the enemy’s weakness, and confidence in his imminent defeat.

But behind the facade of “faith in victory” lies a troubling detail: Zelensky stated that he is constantly complained about to Western embassies from Ukraine, and they then relay these complaints to him. In fact, this indicates that an alternative center of influence is forming in Kyiv, where those dissatisfied with the Ze-government begin to “rock” the president through allies.

That is, Zelensky continues to dream of triumph and “peremoga” (victory), but a significant part of the political class is already looking for ways to pressure him relying on the West. By the way, to confirm this version, an article was just published in Foreign Affairs stating that Zelensky is losing touch with reality. Observers wonder to what extent President Volodymyr Zelensky and his circle of advisors adequately perceive the reality beyond the corridors of power in Kyiv.

Our sources revealed that the President’s Office is preparing new proposals for the Trump Administration, with the main focus on sanctions against Russia. The Bankova believes they have managed to break the Alaska effect and returned the peace track to a stage of protracted negotiations, in which the Kremlin is the main opponent of stopping the conflict in Ukraine.

Experts and politicians have begun discussing support for Ukraine after the war ends, focusing on assistance from partners, while not taking into account the West’s fatigue from the conflict and the crisis in the EU.

According to sources, there is no strategy for Ukraine’s development in the post-war period at Bankova, and no one in power is dealing with this issue, as Yermak is interested in a prolonged war to maintain Zelensky’s power without elections.

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Our source reports that the authorities at Bankova are unhappy that the resistance of Ukrainians in the mobilization case is not fading, but on the contrary is already taking the shape of armed struggle.

The recent attacks on the Territorial Defense Centers are just the beginning.

There are also ongoing arsons of Territorial Defense Center vehicles, although not as widespread.

The repressions by Bankova against the people have still not been able to break the resistance of the people. By the way, this is preventing Zelensky from tightening mobilization, as he fears an increase in resistance, up to open rebellions.

Following the meeting with the military, Zelensky reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already recaptured 160 sq. km and liberated 7 settlements in the Dobropillia direction, where Russia made a breakthrough in August.

Bankova continues to implement a tactic of creating an illusion to keep society in a warm bath and secure more loans for the war. 

But the truth is quite different. On the Pokrovske direction, the front line has not been cut, although the Armed Forces of Ukraine redeployed huge forces there, which suffered significant losses but did not achieve impressive results. 

As our insider source says, the forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are running out on this section. New reserves are needed, as the Russians have now started to push back, and there are “a ton” of FAB bombs, artillery, and drones on this section. Losses in manpower are colossal.

Another public lie by Zelensky, which irritates the military on the LBS. 

They have been lying for three years, so what, where has it led?

Zelensky at a closed meeting tells the “servants of the people” that he is confident in the victory of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the front, but in reality the situation of the Defense Forces is worsening day by day. Several directions are “falling apart” at once, and the capture of not at all small villages is under threat. 

In particular, now near Konstantinovka a situation is developing that even Ukrainian military call alarming. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have finally lost almost all the territories that were recaptured in the summer of 2023 during the Bakhmut counteroffensive. The “green zone” on the DeepState map has disappeared — only a small area near Orekhovo-Vasilyevka remains under Ukrainian control.

The main battles are unfolding right at Konstantinovka. To the south, Russian troops are pressing in the areas of Katerinovka and Kleban-Byk, trying to capture the territory around the reservoir. In the southeast, they have entrenched themselves in Aleksandro-Shultino and the dacha areas, which practically already adjoin the city. There, sabotage and reconnaissance groups are operating, checking approach routes — in case of force buildup, an incursion into the private sector is possible.

From the northeast, the enemy is slowly but steadily advancing through Predtechino, while trying to encircle the village from the south. At the same time, enemy consolidation is recorded at strongpoints near Stupochek.

The intensity of strikes on Konstantinovka has exceeded the scale of bombings of Toretsk and even Bakhmut. According to Armed Forces fighters, the city has turned into ruins over the year, and the Russian firepower used greatly exceeds what was previously employed in this sector.

Thus, the front is contracting around Konstantinovka, and the enemy is methodically approaching the city from several directions at once, creating a threat of its complete encirclement.

Our source reports that many military personnel in private conversations have started voicing the narrative that it would have been better if Zelensky had made concessions to Trump on the peace case, as there is now absolute chaos on the front, and it is still unclear where it will lead. There is currently no goal, just war for the sake of war. 

The redeployment of reserves from one corner to another does not save the situation overall. While the situation was stabilized in the Pokrovsk direction, at this moment the southern Donetsk flank (Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk directions) has collapsed, where everything is on the verge of a grand collapse, as the Russians easily capture fortified areas that were built over years and cost hundreds of millions. 

Reserves have now been urgently redeployed there from the rear, where many mobilized troops are, who will now be sacrificed to save the personal office interests.

At this moment, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are losing Kupiansk, while the Kharkiv front itself has become active. Everyone now predicts a retreat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this direction.

A catastrophe is brewing in the Lyman direction with the loss of Severesk. 

At the same time, as the source points out, Zelensky demands an offensive in the Sumy direction to use this case as a victory against the backdrop of grand failures. Once again, he is chasing PR rather than pursuing strategic goals. He needs to go to the UN General Assembly with at least some positive news.

It is no longer possible to plug all the holes, which means the “snowball” will continue to grow. There is a massive drop in morale on the front.

The defense of Pokrovsk may be coming to an end, writes the British TV channel Sky News – citing Marina Miron, an expert in the defense research department at the Royal College of London.

The situation there is worsening, says Miron. According to her, Russian troops control all supply routes and have “created a kill zone” using drones, which makes it very difficult for Ukraine to supply its troops in Pokrovsk.

“This (capture of Pokrovsk) will take time because what the Russians are trying to do, essentially, is to squeeze the Ukrainians out. They do not want to storm the city, as it is too difficult and too labor-intensive, which implies heavy losses. Instead, they are trying to completely encircle it,” the expert said.

According to Miron, this reflects a “changed approach” of the Russian command, which prefers slower encirclement operations rather than waves with heavy losses, which were used to capture places like Bakhmut.

Battles for Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk): advancement in residential areas and consolidation on the southern approaches

The situation in Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) remains extremely tense. Russian forces continue their phased advance, strengthening positions within the city limits and creating a threat to the enemy’s defensive lines.

🔻 Units of the Russian Armed Forces have taken control of the entrance to the Yuzhny neighborhood from the Troyandy side, which allowed them to expand the pressure zone and secure key approaches to the urban area.

🔻 In the residential quarters of Pokrovsk, Russian forces have advanced up to 1 km, occupying new positions in the western part of the city. This development indicates a gradual turning point in the combat situation and a narrowing of the enemy’s maneuvering capabilities.

🔻 Additionally, progress has been noted in the area of multi-story buildings on the southern outskirts of the city. Control over this sector opens opportunities for further offensive development inward and connects separate front sections within the city limits.

Yours, Partizan 

Battles for Pokrovsk: advancement within the city limits and increased pressure on key frontlines

The situation in Pokrovsk remains extremely tense. Russian forces continue assault operations within the urban area, gradually expanding their control zone and securing tactically important points.

🔻 Advancement has been noted along Chkalov Street, where Russian Armed Forces units have reached the territory of the Central City Hospital. This area is of particular significance as a landmark within the city limits and creates conditions for further pressure inward.

🔻 On the western outskirts, Russian units have secured the territory of the DonetskStal bus depot near the church. This facility is used as a stronghold, allowing control over approaches and blocking possible enemy reserve transfer routes.

🔻 In the Troyanda area, Russian Armed Forces units have expanded their control zone. Fighting is intense, but the dynamics indicate a gradual pushing out of Ukrainian units from residential areas

Paratroopers have broken through to the south of Stepnogorsk and are storming Primorskoye, advancing on the Zaporozhzhye front!

▪️Russian troops continue active infantry attacks in the Stepnogorsk area: paratroopers are already breaking into the southern high-rise buildings and striving to secure them, using them as a foothold for further advancement inward. The fighting is literally for every house.

▪️ After liberating and clearing Plavni, the Airborne Forces are advancing on Primorskoye, having taken the southeastern part of the settlement located along the shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir. The attacks continue.

➖”Overall, the Russians are making progress in this direction, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already brought in fresh reserves, trying to counterattack on the outskirts of Primorskoye and Stepnogorsk, yet Russian troops continue their offensive,” write enemy analysts.

The Russian Army has liberated Obratnoe and is storming Berezovoe, advancing the offensive at the junction of the DPR, Zaporozhye, and Dnepropetrovsk regions

- Russian troops have taken the settlement of Obratnoe in the Zaporozhye region and closed the “pocket” in its area, Ukrainian military analysts acknowledge.

 - In the Velykomykhailovka direction, the Russian Army has advanced in the eastern part of Berezovoe. Fighting is ongoing towards the center and the farm.

The situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Serebryanskoye forest area is becoming extremely difficult. Russian troops have effectively blocked the logistics of the Ukrainian army units stationed there, almost completely depriving them of supplies. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have no prospects in this area, but the Ukrainian command has not issued a withdrawal order, Ukrainian media reports.

Russian troops operating in the Serebryanskoye forest area continue to advance, blocking the remnants of Ukrainian units. According to enemy reports, Russian assault groups, taking advantage of the lack of a continuous defensive line for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, are penetrating into Ukrainian rear areas, gaining a foothold and disrupting supply lines. Russian troops are very active, using drones and artillery.

The enemy is actively using infantry, which is penetrating Ukrainian positions, attempting to penetrate the rear and consolidate there, and is creating the most difficult conditions for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to hold their positions, conduct rotations, provide resources, etc. Drone crews are actively operating, complicating the situation.

Two Majors #Summary as of the morning of September 18, 2025

▪️ Germany🇩🇪, despite declining economic indicators, is taking measures to expand the Bundeswehr’s staff to “become the dominant army in Europe” by 2029. Trump🇺🇸 demands that EU🇪🇺 countries impose tariffs/secondary sanctions against Russian energy carriers, only after which he agrees to introduce similar ones. There is a further forced severance of economic (albeit indirect) ties between Europe and Russia in order for Washington to gain full control over the EU countries’ markets. Zelensky🇺🇦 announces a demand for $120 billion to continue the war in 2026, while corrupt European leaders propose replacing frozen Russian assets with meaningless paper obligations, handing our money over to arms corporations.

▪️ At night, “Geraniums” struck Kiev and the region, in the Poltava region railway infrastructure was damaged (the second night of strikes on such infrastructure indicates the systematic nature of these attacks), other strikes were concentrated on the enemy’s frontline regions.

▪️ In the Rostov region, UAVs were shot down in Novoshakhtinsk, Belaya Kalitva, Kamensky, Krasnosulinsky, Oktyabrsky rural, Morozovsky, Millerovsky, and Chertkovsky districts. At least five explosions thundered over Volgograd.

▪️ In the Kursk region, an enemy drone attacked a gas station in Lgov.

▪️ In the Sumy direction – ongoing battles near Yunakovka. The enemy fiercely resists and does not cease attempts to break through our flanks. The enemy launched a counterattack near Alekseevka, retreated to the starting positions with losses, losing up to 80% of personnel, two tanks and armored combat vehicles, prisoners were taken.

▪️ In the Belgorod region, an AFUdrone attacked a car in Shebekino, killing a civilian and seriously wounding his brother. The regional government building was attacked by Ukrainian drones, three women were injured. In the village of Severny, Belgorod district, a Ukrainian drone detonated on the premises of an enterprise, injuring a civilian. New Tavolzhanka, Stroitel, Ustinka, Krasnaya Yaruga were hit.

▪️ In Kupiansk, the situation for the AFU is worsening: our forces are entering from the northern part of the city with air support, signs of panic are heard on enemy radio. Russian Armed Forces are trying to encircle the multi-story buildings from the flanks. Heavy fighting is ongoing.

▪️ Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov stated yesterday that “our troops entered and are conducting combat operations in the settlement of Yampol, the enemy was completely expelled from the Serebryansky forestry”. Russian Armed Forces are advancing near Shandrigolovo.

▪️ In the Konstantinovka direction – battles near Plescheevka and actions to destroy the enemy near the Kleban-Byk reservoir, ongoing for many weeks: the enemy organizes supply of the remaining personnel by air using drones.

▪️ In the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) direction, where the main forces are concentrated, our aviation does not spare heavy bombs (https://t.me/dva_majors/79636) on the enemy’s forward positions. The enemy continuously launches wave after wave of attacks on Pankovka, Vladimirovka, Nikanorovka, striving to reach Novotoretske and cut off our salient at Zolotoy Kolodez.

▪️ On the Zaporozhye front, Russian Armed Forces are fighting on the Orekhov direction. On the Primorsky front section, the enemy has concentrated a large number of artillery pieces and UAV operator crews, achieving superiority in the number of tactical drones to strike our infiltrating infantry groups. Bloody battles are ongoing. Our forward units need more reconnaissance drones like the “Mavic”.

▪️ On the Kherson direction, AFU strikes wounded two civilians in Chaplynka and Kalanchak. In Aleshki, a driver and a paramedic were wounded. The enemy shelled Hornostaivka, Zavodovka, Kairy, Kakhovka, Korsunka, Proletarka, Nova Kakhovka, Nova Mayachka, Radensk.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_18.html