On January 20, Ukrainian armed forces reported 130 combat engagements amid escalating hostilities in eastern Ukraine. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine indicated that Russian forces conducted one missile strike and launched 65 air attacks, deploying 161 guided bombs. Additionally, they utilized 5,115 kamikaze drones and executed 2,249 shelling incidents targeting both civilian areas and military positions.
Three fronts remain particularly active: the Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk directions in Donetsk, and the Huliaipole direction in Zaporizhzhia. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops reportedly assaulted Ukrainian defenses near Pleshchiyivka, Rusynyi Yar, and Sofiivka, as well as in the vicinity of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Berestok, and Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, 22 assaults were recorded, with attempts to advance in the regions of Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udačne, Molodetske, and towards Novooleksiivka and Kucherovyi Yar. Ongoing efforts by Russian forces to improve their positions were noted.
The Huliaipole front experienced 18 attacks, particularly around Huliaipole, Zahirne, and towards Varvarivka, Olenokostiantynivka, Zaliznychne, and Sviatopetrivka. Several attacks in this area are still ongoing. Airstrikes targeted Upper Terza, Zaliznychne, Hirke, Huliaipole, Charivne, Liubytske, and Kopani.
Fighting also persisted in the Northeastern Slobozhansky, Kursk, Southern Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Sloviansk, Oleksandrivka, Orikhiv, and Dnipro directions.
On February 19, the DeepState project reported that Russian forces had advanced near Nykyforivka, east of Sloviansk, and near Nelipivka, southeast of Kostiantynivka, as well as near Zatyshok and Novyi Shakhovyi in the Dobropillia salient. The Sloviansk, Kostiantynivka, and Dobropillia sectors are identified as some of the most dynamic along the front line, with numerous assaults occurring daily.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Donbas Realities project, the Russian military may be preparing for a significant offensive this spring or summer, likely targeting the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and/or the Orikhiv-Zaporizhzhia area. Analyst Kostiantyn Mashovets from the Information Resistance group suggested that this could represent a final push for Russia on the front, given its dwindling resources and worsening economic conditions domestically.
By late winter, Ukrainian forces managed to disrupt Russian plans, initiating counteroffensive operations at the junction of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, pushing back aggressors from Pokrovsk and further from Orikhiv to the east. Reports from pro-Russian social media indicate that Ukrainian offensives in this area are ongoing.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine has escalated significantly, with Ukrainian forces reporting over 130 combat incidents and extensive Russian air and drone assaults. Key fronts remain active as both sides prepare for potential large-scale offensives in the coming months.