From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / August 13, 2025
Hours Before Alaska Summit, Russian Forces Test Dobropillia Defenses While Ukrainian Intelligence Reveals Massive North Korean Military Deployment to Support Moscow’s War Effort
Summary of the Day – August 12, 2025
Three days before the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, the battlefield dynamics shifted dramatically as Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups infiltrated Ukrainian defenses east and northeast of Dobropillia, while Ukraine’s military intelligence revealed that North Korea had deployed 11,000 soldiers to Russian training grounds. The tactical penetration near Dobropillia, involving small groups hiding in basements and forests, represented Russia’s most significant advance in the direction since its protracted 17-month campaign began. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces demonstrated their long-range strike capabilities by hitting drone storage facilities in Tatarstan and a helium production plant in Orenburg—critical infrastructure located over 1,200 kilometers from the front lines. As diplomatic preparations intensified for the Alaska meeting, smoke was observed at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, adding another layer of concern to an already volatile situation.
The Dobropillia Gambit: Russian Infiltration Tests Ukrainian Defenses
Russian forces continued their tactical penetration east and northeast of Dobropillia using limited sabotage and reconnaissance groups, with Ukrainian intelligence reporting infiltrations in Vesele, Rubizhne, Kucheriv Yar, and Vilne. President Zelensky acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that Russian forces operating without mechanized equipment had advanced about 10 kilometers deep into Ukrainian territory.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that several small Russian groups bypassed Ukrainian positions and attempted to advance toward Zolotyi Kolodyaz, with Ukrainian forces already destroying some of these infiltration units. The military command allocated additional forces and resources to counter the penetration, recognizing the potential threat to broader defensive positions.
Russian milbloggers claimed advances in Nove Shakhove, Rubizhne, Ivanivka, Dorozhie, and areas near Bilytske, characterizing the Russian forces as limited sabotage and reconnaissance groups hiding in basements, windbreaks, and forests. The infiltration tactic relies on small fireteams finding weak points in Ukrainian defenses, waiting for reinforcements to accumulate before attempting to establish footholds.
Military Units Redeployment: Russian Command Shuffles Forces
The Russian military command conducted significant unit rotations across multiple sectors. Elements of the 119th Airborne Regiment and 83rd Separate VDV Brigade redeployed to Yunakivka to relieve elements of the 104th, 234th, and 237th VDV regiments from the 76th VDV Division. The command left elements of the 51st VDV Regiment stranded near Sadky following a failed evacuation attempt for wounded personnel.
Ukrainian forces controlled Novokostyantynivka north of Sumy City as of August 12, while Russian forces continued attacks across multiple directions. Drone operators from the 106th VDV Division, 83rd Separate VDV Brigade, Rosgvardia Special Forces, and 155th Naval Infantry Brigade struck Ukrainian positions throughout Sumy Oblast.
The Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz Salyut Group operated along the border between Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, while elements of the 352nd Motorized Rifle Regiment continued operations near Stepova Novoselivka. The 12th Tank Regiment from the 4th Tank Division successfully seized Zelenyi Hai east of Borova.
Skeptical Voices: Russian Milbloggers Question Moscow’s Ability to Exploit Gains
In an unusual display of battlefield realism, several Russian milbloggers expressed caution about Moscow’s ability to exploit the tactical penetration near Dobropillia. A former Storm-Z instructor warned that Russian forces had infiltrated Ukrainian defenses in a “splayed” manner, with the depth of penetration threatening Russia’s ability to secure its flanks.
Voice of Ukraine 