Zelenskyy on Russian advance close to Dobropillia: They wish to create informational backdrop forward of Trump–Putin assembly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the aim of Russia’s breakthrough close to Dobropillia on the Pokrovsk entrance is to create an informational backdrop forward of the 15 August assembly between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

Supply: Zelenskyy at a gathering with journalists on 12 August, as reported by Suspilne

Quote: "Russian teams, with out gear, superior about 10 kilometres in a number of places. Some have already been positioned – partly destroyed, partly taken prisoner. The remainder may also be discovered and destroyed quickly.

The purpose of this advance is evident to us: to create a sure informational backdrop by 15 August [the date of the Trump–Putin meeting – ed.], particularly within the American discourse, exhibiting that Russia is advancing and Ukraine is shedding territory."

Particulars: The president stated that the Russians are making ready for an offensive on three fronts.

Quote: "They’re making ready for an offensive operation, as we consider, on three fronts. The primary fronts are the Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka [the last one is in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast – ed.] fronts. We consider that an extra 15,000 [troops – ed.] shall be deployed to the Zaporizhzhia entrance, about 7,000 to the Pokrovsk entrance, and presumably 5,000 extra to the Novopavlivka entrance. We consider they may do the whole lot to arrange for offensive actions after 15 August."

Background:

• On 11 August, the DeepState analytical centre reported that Russian forces had stepped up their advance in direction of Dobropillia in latest days, particularly trying to realize a foothold close to the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk motorway. Their maps confirmed this advance as two "wedges" close to Dobropillia.
• The Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group added that the Russians have been infiltrating small teams previous Ukraine’s first line of positions on this entrance, and that whereas such infiltration necessitates the deployment of reserves to destroy them, it doesn’t represent "gaining management of territory".
• On the night of 11 August, the Common Workers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that extra forces had been despatched in direction of Dobropillia to destroy Russian sabotage teams penetrating the line of defense.

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