DeepState reports limited Russian advances in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia
DeepState reported Russian advances near Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast and Vozdvizhevka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on October 25. Ukrainian military officials disputed broader Russian claims, saying that forces had not reached the outskirts of Kramatorsk and that Ukrainian troops had liberated more territory than Russia had captured since early autumn.
Key points
- DeepState reported Russian advances near Kostiantynivka and Vozdvizhevka on October 25.
- On October 22, DeepState reported advances near Rai-Oleksandrivka and Vile in Donetsk Oblast.
- Andrii Kovalov rejected Valerii Herasimov's October 16 report as a lie and manipulation.
- Kovalov disputed claims that Russia had captured more than 1,800 square kilometers since September 2026.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly liberated more territory than Russian forces captured since early autumn.
- Dobropillia remained under Ukrainian control and fighting continued in Kostiantynivka as of October 17.
Why it matters
The mapped advances show continued Russian pressure on several fronts in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. At the same time, the contrast between DeepState's assessments and official Russian reporting highlights the difficulty of comparing battlefield mapping with claims about large-scale territorial gains.
What happened
DeepState reported on October 25 that Russian forces had advanced near Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast and near Vozdvizhevka in Gulyaipole Raion of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Its previous assessment, published on October 22, identified advances at Rai-Oleksandrivka in Kramatorsk Raion and near Vile in Pokrovsk Raion. Ukrainian military officials continued to reject broader claims that Russian forces had reached the outskirts of Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia or captured large areas since September.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focused on rejecting claims of territorial capture and confirming the continued Ukrainian presence in key areas. Officials stressed that fighting continued in Kostiantynivka, Dobropillia remained under Ukrainian control and Ukrainian forces had liberated more territory than Russia had captured since early autumn.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian military officials rejected Russia's claims of advances reaching the outskirts of Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia and described the October 16 report as false. DeepState, however, mapped limited Russian advances near several settlements in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Background
DeepState published separate assessments of Russian advances on October 22 and October 25. As of the morning of October 17, Dobropillia remained under Ukrainian control, fighting was continuing in Kostiantynivka and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka had not been captured by Russian forces.