Battle for Donbas intensifies as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk face relentless attacks

The security situation in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the two largest cities in Donbas that remain fully under Ukrainian control, has deteriorated significantly. Ukrainian police have urged civilians to leave without delay, while the mandatory evacuation of families with children has begun in the most dangerous areas.

Pavlo Dyachenko, a spokesperson for the Donetsk regional police, said that evacuating civilians was the only way to save lives. He said that Sloviansk, which was previously hit by glide bombs approximately once a week, is now being attacked almost every day.

Kramatorsk, Sloviansk and Kostiantynivka are known as Ukraine’s “fortress belt.” Reports indicate that Ukrainian troops have only a limited presence in Kostiantynivka, while Russia claims to have taken control of the city.

Moscow is particularly interested in capturing Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, as this would allow Russian forces to continue advancing westward. Russia controls almost all of Luhansk and around 80% of the Donetsk region.

Airstrikes on these cities have increased. Anti-drone nets have been installed along Kramatorsk’s main roads, while volunteers report that FPV drones lie in wait along roadways. As a result, traveling by vehicle has become extremely dangerous.

Police statistics show a significant increase in civilian casualties in recent months.

June: 16 people killed and 70 wounded following 40 glide bomb strikes.

July: 20 people killed, while 109 glide bombs were used.

June-August: In August, the number of people wounded reached 212, while 92 glide bombs were dropped.

Glide bombs, which weigh between 250 kg and 1,500 kg, are severely damaging homes and infrastructure. The latest attacks in Kramatorsk, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, wounded at least seven people.

Kramatorsk is currently the administrative center of the Donetsk region, after the city of Donetsk fell into the hands of pro-Russian separatists in 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Vladimir Putin has given his generals until the end of the year to complete the conquest of Donbas. To defend the remaining territory, Zelensky has formed two new operational groups led by prominent generals Andriy Biletsky and Denys Prokopenko.

Ukrainian military personnel believe that one of the most important battles of this year and next year is unfolding in this area.