August 15–22 live war map: decisive reserve forces clash on eastern front may seal fate of Dobropillia, Pokrovsk

Russia’s Armed Forces have achieved nothing in Ukraine in three years

On the eve of Trump's meeting with Putin, Ukraine prepared and demonstrated not only the Flamingo missile, which is capable of carrying 1,150 kg of explosives over a distance of 3,000 km, but also the Russian' inability to capture in the next 4 years not just all of Ukraine, but even the 4 regions that the Russian dictator demands be given to him. We prepared a map to demonstrate that throughout all of 2025, during intensive offensive operations, the Russian troops captured 0.47% of Ukraine. In 2023-24, they occupied another 0.5%. Thus, over 3 years, the enemy has captured less than 1% of Ukrainian territory and has spent almost all of the prepared military potential that it intended to use for war with NATO.

Ukraine Russia war live map, photo: Espreso

Creeping advance on Borova

While in the Kharkiv region on the northern outskirts of Kupiansk, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are pushing back the invading Russian forces from the outer streets, the enemy has directed its efforts toward breaking through to Borova, which also holds defense along the Oskil River. This week, the Russians managed to expand their zone of control on a 7-kilometer-wide section of the front between Lozova and Zelenyi Hai. At the same time, this capture cannot be called a breakthrough – the Russians occupied part of the gray zone where the Defense Forces had not been present for a long time. And the front here moves like wet wood burns – once every few months there is local advancement that doesn't even solve anything tactically. For example, in the village of Zahryzlove, the Russians have been stuck for over a year.

Ukraine Russia war live map, photo: Espreso

Serebrianskyi Reserve – a blow to the Lyman and Siversk fronts

We have begun losing the legendary forest massif where the Ukrainian Armed Forces held defense since 2022. The capture of the Serebrianskyi Reserve will unambiguously have a negative impact on both the Siversk and Lyman fronts, as through it Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups will be able to reach almost close to Lyman through the forest, and also cross the Siverskyi Donets and emerge in the rear of Siversk. Already now, isolated attempts at advancing on the previously completely rear village of Yampil are being recorded.

Due to the Defense Forces' retreat from a significant part of the forest, the enemy managed to advance in Hryhorivka in the direction of Serebrynka, which the Russians regularly raid. On the northern edge of the forest, the invaders have not only almost completely occupied Torske, but have also crossed the Chornyi Zherebets River in two places and begun fighting for Zarichne, which is the key to Lyman. Both fronts are in a significant crisis, which so far has no good options for resolution. If the situation develops similarly, then in autumn fighting will begin for Siversk and Lyman, which was planned by the Russians.

Ukraine Russia war live map, August 15-22, photo: Espreso

Counterattacks near Dobropillia

After the Russians carried out a swift and adventurous 17-kilometer breakthrough near Dobropillia and occupied part of the newly built defense line in the area of the villages of Zolotyi Kolodiaz and Rubizhne, the Armed Forces of Ukraine responded sharply. 

Ukraine Russia war live map, photo: Espreso

Within a few days, Ukrainian troops cut through the salient in the area of Vilne, recaptured Dorozhne and Nykanoryvka, and continued the offensive from there toward Maiak. From the other flank, from Volodymyrivka, the Defense Forces entered Maiak and established positions in its northern part, thus maximally narrowing the supply road. Without proper support, the Russian Armed Forces' offensive faltered, and the Ukrainian army regained Rubizhne, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, Vesele, and Hruzke. In Kucherevyi Yar, the Russians found themselves encircled and began retreating south from the village. Within a few days, the Russians lost over 1,100 killed and over 400 wounded.

However, the invaders also understood the necessity of supporting their field commanders' adventure and threw additional reserves to help, which hurried from the east to remove the threat of encirclement. In recent days of fierce counterbattles, the Russian Armed Forces again expanded their wedge between Nykanoryvka and Shakhove, and also prevented the encirclement of troops in Kucherevyi Yar. In addition, the Russian army is advancing on Volodymyrivka and trying to occupy Rusyn Yar to maximally expand the wedge zone. Time has come down to days that will decide not only the situation on this battlefield, but also the further fate of Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, and even Kostiantynivka. If the Russians can establish themselves here, these cities will be in great danger of capture.

Ukraine Russia war live map, August 15-22, photo: Espreso

Pokrovsk in circular defense

If the Ukrainian Armed Forces still manage to cut off the enemy salient near Dobropillia, then the Russian leadership will return to the priority encirclement of Pokrovsk through the conquest of Rodynske. While the enemy was distracted by the offensive to the north, the Defense Forces were able to recapture part of the road north of Rodynske and partially removed the threat of taking the village in pincers. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are conducting battles on the northern outskirts of Rodynske, and also attacking Chervonyi Lyman. So far without success.

Ukraine Russia war live map, August 15-22, photo: Espreso

However, taking advantage of the fact that the Defense Forces transferred part of their reserves to Dobropillia, the Russians stormed the outskirts of Myrnohrad from the direction of Hrodivka. Here they managed to break through 2 kilometers to the village of Promin. From the southwestern flank, the invaders are still attacking Zvirove, while the Defense Forces, who previously expelled enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups from Leontovychi and Pokrovsk itself, are conducting counter-attacks. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are also successfully repelling the offensive by invaders attempting to drive a wedge between Udachne and Molodetske in order to resume the western encirclement of Pokrovsk, an effort they abandoned half a year ago.

Novopavlivka front holds the strike, but Russian forces want to bypass it through Zaporizhzhia

Near Novopavlivka itself, the front has held almost unshakably for nearly a month. The invading Russian forces are not rushing to storm the Ukrainian powerful fortified area head-on. They, as always, want to use the strategy of flanking maneuvers. To bypass the settlement from the north, they need to cross the Solona River, but it now serves well as a defensive line for both Novopavlivka and Pokrovsk. The only thing the enemy has managed to do here in several weeks is occupy two fields near Muravka.

From the south, the Russians are restrained by the Vovcha River. Here they finally occupied Oleksiivka after half a year of fighting, but couldnot overcome Ukrainian defense near Dachne. Therefore, they take positions along the river and look for weak points to cross it. In recent days, they approached the shore in the area of the village of Filiia.

Ukraine Russia war live map, August 15-22, photo: Espreso

However, the further south, the more fragile Ukrainian defense becomes. Overall, the Novopavlivka direction has the worst dynamics of Russian advancement from 5 to 9 square kilometers per day. And what's worse – the Russian troops are advancing along a fairly wide front of 40 kilometers – from Zeleny Hai south of Novopavlivka, to Malynivka, which is near Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia. Having advanced near Zeleny Hai, the enemy managed to surprise Andriivka Klevtsova, but the Defense Forces pushed the invaders out of the village, destroying a significant number of them. In the area of Voskresenska and Piddubnoe, the Defense Forces continue to hold part of their positions, but the Russian army, bypassing them, is trying to break through further into Dnipropetrovsk region. They have advanced between Voskresenska and Maliivka, and are also preparing to attack Sichnevе. Both villages are already located outside the Donetsk region. Even further south, the Russians completely captured Vilne Pole and broke through 4 kilometers to the west and began storming Komyshuvakha.

It is here between Komyshuvakha and Temyrivka that there is a junction of three regions: Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, and the Russians have already captured this conditional three-way border.

Ukraine Russia war live map, photo: Espreso

Crisis of the Huliaipole front

After the occupation of Temyrivka, the Russians expanded their activity even further south, where they wanted to create a threat of encircling Huliaipole from the north. Particularly in the area of Poltavka, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing from two flanks: conducting battles for Malynivka, and also advancing on a 5-kilometer front near Olhivske. Currently, the Defense Forces cannot find countermeasures and stabilize the front, which supposedly should have been ready for defense long ago, but as it turned out, has weak defense lines in certain sections and troops unprepared for defense. Probably in the coming weeks, this direction may become even more threatening than Pokrovsk.

The maps were created based on information received from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff, as well as from other open and verified sources. At the same time, the maps are not maximally accurate and only conditionally reflect trends in the combat zone.