Russian Push Toward Dobropillia Intensifies as Ukraine Strikes Rostov Airport and Railways

Russian units, including the 8th, 41st and 51st Combined Arms Armies, the 76th Airborne Division and naval infantry, are massing around Dobropillia in Donbas, deploying roughly a third of the 1,200 Rubicon drone crews to press the city before autumn foliage hampers movement. Ukrainian National Guard commander Denys Prokopenko warned that defenders face a roughly one-to-six numerical disadvantage and cited daily Russian losses of about 123-135 soldiers in July-August.

He also noted that Russian tanks are being upgraded with active protection systems for the upcoming season. In parallel, Ukrainian forces attacked Rostov-on-Don airport, reportedly damaging several An-12, An-26 transports and helicopters, a strike claimed by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s SBU. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said Russia has destroyed or damaged more than 250 Ukrainian Railways locomotives this year, threatening logistics and civilian evacuations. The fighting is accompanied by frequent drone engagements, including a Ukrainian interceptor drone downing a Russian Geran over Odesa.