Russia redeploying forces on frontline, UK Intelligence says

Russia is shifting its military strategy in eastern Ukraine, with activity reportedly decreasing in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions as ground forces are redeployed to other parts of the front line, the UK Ministry of Defence stated.

UK intelligence reports that this redeployment is aimed at intensifying pressure on strategically significant areas, particularly in the Donetsk region, Caliber.Az reports.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 02 September 2025.

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Open-source intelligence confirms that Ukrainian troops have successfully carried out counterattacks west of Kupiansk over the past two days. The city, located in the Kharkiv region, remains a vital logistical hub for Ukrainian operations.

Over the last ten days, Russian forces have advanced and are currently engaged in combat in the Serebryanskyi Forest, located in the northern part of the Donetsk region. Russian troops have entrenched themselves along the Siverskyi Donets River — a natural defensive line — and are using the dense forest as cover from Ukrainian drone strikes.

UK intelligence notes that Russian forces are now pushing toward Yampil, situated approximately 10 kilometres west of their current positions. If captured, Yampil could serve as a strategic springboard for further offensives targeting the city of Lyman, which lies just 9 kilometers away. Lyman is a critical railway junction and its defence is seen as crucial for Ukraine’s broader military posture in the region.

Meanwhile, Pokrovsk has emerged as Russia’s primary focus on the front line. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, this area has witnessed the highest number of Russian attacks in recent weeks. Russian forces are reportedly employing a variety of tactics, including assaults by motorcycle groups and small-unit infiltration missions targeting Ukrainian defensive lines.

Despite mounting pressure, Ukraine’s Armed Forces have achieved tactical gains. In the Donetsk region, Ukrainian troops conducted a successful operation on the Pokrovsk front, liberating the village of Udachne and raising the national flag.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier indicated that Ukrainian forces were achieving “very positive results” in the Donbas and warned that Russian troops should expect “unpleasant surprises” in the coming weeks.

By Vafa Guliyeva