November 6-13 live war map: encirclement tightens around Kurakhove

Russia sees a window of opportunity until Trump's potential inauguration, aiming to seize as much Ukrainian land as possible. Over the next three months, their primary objective is to occupy southern and central Donetsk, focusing on the areas around Kurakhove, Velyka Novosilka, and Pokrovsk. They are also preparing for a potential advance on the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk-Kostiantynivka agglomeration. To achieve this, Russian forces aim to complete battles for Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, moving closer to Kostiantynivka from the south and Lyman from the north, tightening their grip on the region. Russian command appears unfazed by mounting losses, which reportedly reach as high as 2,000 soldiers daily. Key questions remain: Can Ukrainian forces effectively utilize their reserves to hold the line? And can Russia continue increasing troop numbers without a full mobilization?

Velyka Novosilka targeted

After securing Shakhtarsk, Russian forces are now within 12 km of Velyka Novosilka, a fortified stronghold in southwestern Donetsk. Capturing it would open a path for Russian assaults on the Zaporizhzhia region from this direction. Russian troops have started to establish a flanking line to attack Velyka Novosilka from both the east and west. By late October, they expanded their control to the north and west of Pryiutne, capturing Staromaiorske and Urozhaine, which Ukraine had previously liberated. This week, Russian forces breached Ukrainian defenses along a 14-km stretch, with a notable breakthrough at Makarivka, where they pushed into the village. Advancing along the road, they occupied Rivnopil, secured a 1.5 km bridgehead south of Novodarivka, and began fighting in the village itself, from which Ukrainian forces are gradually withdrawing. All of these locations had been liberated last year in a counteroffensive. The distance from Novodarivka to the intersection of the Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regional borders is just 6.5 km, while the road supplying Velyka Novosilka from the west is only 4.5 km away and already under Russian artillery fire.

Losing Velyka Novosilka would grant Russia full control over south-central Donetsk and could signal the start of hostilities in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Russian forces have amassed a strike force capable of targeting either Huliaipole or Orikhiv, with signs of increased enemy activity near both settlements.

Fate of Kurakhove appears sealed. The only question remaining is—at what cost?

The situation in the city is tense. Ukrainian forces defending the northern and southern approaches are under crossfire, facing the risk of entrapment and potential encirclement, as well as the threat of enemy breakthroughs within the city.

North of Kurakhove, Russian forces have captured Novoselydivka and Voznesenka. Ukrainian troops are fighting as they retreat south, but villages like Ilinka and Berestky, near the Kurakhove Reservoir, remain under attack. Meanwhile, enemy forces have advanced to Sontsivka, only 6.5 km from Kurakhove’s western outskirts. If successful, this would nearly encircle the city, potentially forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw to Stari Terny to reorganize their defenses. Recently, a dam was destroyed here, which could assist defensive efforts along the Vovcha River but complicates logistics and potential withdrawals for Ukrainian forces, who are caught between the water and advancing Russian troops from the north. The origin of the dam's destruction remains unclear, though it likely had defensive purposes. Still, its destruction presents challenges for both sides.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have breached the city from the east and are attempting to secure positions near School No. 3. This is not yet a full-scale breakthrough; rather, small infantry groups are being deployed via kamikaze vehicles to establish footholds. While most are neutralized, some manage to slip through due to persistent attempts. If the enemy consolidates control around the school, defending Kurakhove will become significantly harder.

The most dangerous threat, however, is the Russian advance from the south. Assaults have already begun on the village of Dalne. Success here would allow Russian forces to press into Kurakhove’s southern areas and simultaneously attack fortified Ukrainian positions along the Sukhi Yaly River, which has so far repelled attacks from the south. A dual-front assault would make holding these positions untenable, potentially forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw westward. While the timing of such a retreat remains uncertain, Russian forces have made rapid gains, advancing 3 of the 9 km within a week.

Along the Sukhi Yaly front, Russian forces have completed their capture of Kostiantynivka, crossed the river, and are now fighting in central Antonivka. In Katerynivka, the front remains static, but farther west, the enemy has entered Trudove and advanced within 2.5 km of the strategic Uspenivka intersection. Further west, Ukrainian troops continue to hold the line outside Maksymivka, staving off advances toward Kostiantynopil. This line could serve as a significant deterrent — if not for the northern offensive. If necessary, Ukrainian forces may abandon defenses in up to seven villages and regroup near Uspenivka, depending on Kurakhove’s resilience. Should a withdrawal from Kurakhove become essential, further villages could be relinquished, with defenses shifting back toward Kostiantynopil. This makes it critical to slow the Russian advance north and west of Yasna Poliana, aiming to contain them within the Sukhi and Mokri Yaly rivers between Velyka Novosilka and Kostyantynopil.

For now, the Kurakhove front will likely remain at a stalemate, with hopes that this costly exchange of territory will slow Russia’s progress more than anticipated.

Pokrovsk prepares for defense

While the main action on the front lines is focused on the Kurakhove direction, Pokrovsk is preparing to defend the largest city in this part of the Donetsk region. Russian forces continue their unsuccessful attempts to push through Vozdvyzhenka or make a direct advance on Myrnohrad, but their most significant (though still limited) progress is in the Selydove area. Here, Russian forces are advancing along a broad 6-km front to the west, having taken control of the villages of Novooleksiivka and Yuriivka. They are also pushing along the road leading toward the Dnipropetrovsk region border. Simultaneously, Russian troops have attacked the villages of Hryhorivka and Petrivka, attempting a flanking maneuver to enable an assault on Pokrovsk from the south. They have gained control of over 2 km along the route to Pokrovsk, but their advance is being heavily slowed by the actions of Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Toretsk holds on

Intense fighting rages in Toretsk for control of central districts and individual high-rise buildings. There is no clear front line in the city, as Ukrainian Defense Forces continuously counterattack, employing tactics such as demolishing buildings occupied by Russian forces. Recently, Russian troops have expanded their control zone by a few hundred meters north and south of the main road. They are also making repeated attempts to seize the Zabalka district from multiple directions, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold their ground. Further south, Russian forces have gained some ground in Nelipivka, capturing a few additional streets. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine still control over half of this village and are preventing any further enemy advance toward Toretsk.

Chasiv Yar stands firm

Despite several counterattacks, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not yet managed to eliminate three Russian bridgeheads established on the right bank of the canal dividing the city since October. However, the occupiers have also failed to achieve major successes. Fierce fighting continues in the north, near the village of Kalynivka, in the central districts of Zhovtneve and Nove, as well as south of the T-0504 highway, which connects Bakhmut to Kostiantynivka. This area is experiencing the heaviest Russian assault, with minor territorial gains along the canal south of the highway. Intense battles are also ongoing around Klishchiivka and Andriivka, but Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the attackers. The defenders of Chasiv Yar continue to demonstrate exemplary defensive tactics and coordination.

Kupyansk and Borova fronts

After a rapid push to the Oskil River, the Russian advance has slowed somewhat, though battles remain frequent, averaging around 100 engagements per week. Currently, the enemy is focusing on consolidating its gains and pushing Ukrainian forces off the left bank of the Oskil, where Ukrainian Defense Forces hold two significant bridgeheads. As anticipated, Russian forces are launching attacks along the river, advancing both northward toward Kupyansk and southward toward Borova. Recently, they have secured positions in Kruhliakivka and are pressing into Kolisnykivka, which is now almost entirely under Russian control. Russian forces are also advancing west of Stelmakhivka toward Lozova and near Berestove. It is likely that, soon, Ukrainian Defense Forces may need to withdraw from positions between Berestove and Lozova, moving closer to Oskil. Further south, the enemy has broken through Ukrainian lines at Pershotravneve, reaching the Svatove-Borova highway. Without a counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces may also have to retreat from the Pershotravneve-Nadiya area—one of the last unoccupied areas in Luhansk.

In the Lyman direction further south, Ukrainian forces have successfully halted the enemy’s advance on Terny.

Kursk region: Putin’s new plan

Putin’s previous objective — to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region by his birthday — did not succeed. Now, he has a new goal: to capture the region before potential negotiations with Trump by January 20. To this end, about 50,000 Russian troops, including North Korean forces, are now stationed in the area. The third wave of the Russian counteroffensive, which began in early November, is ongoing. Currently, Ukrainian forces have abandoned their offensive in the Glushkovo district and pulled back to the border, although they still hold border villages such as Novy Shlyakh, where Russian forces continue their unsuccessful assaults. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are counterattacking along various points along the border, creating the potential for a new breakthrough.

On the western flank near Sudzha, Russian forces launched another assault toward Dariino, forcing Ukrainian troops to pull back and regroup along the Snagost River. Fighting continues in the Novoivanovka and Zeleny Shlyakh areas, now in its third week. Ukrainian forces are effectively counterattacking here, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The Russians mounted a particularly intense assault on Pogrebki, deploying several thousand troops over several days and suffering significant casualties. Although Ukrainian forces had to withdraw from positions near the village, no further territorial changes have occurred despite Russian attacks along the entire defensive perimeter, with particular focus on Nechayevo and advances toward Martynovka, Ruska Konopelka, and Plekhovo.

The maps were created based on data from the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff and other verified sources. However, they only provide an approximate reflection of trends in the combat zone.