File image.
The capture of Novohryhorivka, the second settlement on the right bank of the Yanchul River, opens the path to Huliaipole. The bridgehead on the western bank of the Zherebets River is being expanded in the direction of Krasnolymansk. Slovakia is preparing a 14th aid package for Ukraine after a long pause.
Zaporizhzhia Direction:
Units of the 5th Guards Combined Arms Army of the «Vostok» grouping continue to advance. According to Russian command data, Russian troops gained control of Novohryhorivka on 8 October after battles in which more than 190 structures were cleared.
Along with the capture of Novovasylivka, the seizure of Novohryhorivka paved the way for an advance towards Uspenivka. Forcing the Yanchul River across a section about 10 kilometers wide opens up the possibility of launching an offensive along two roads towards Huliaipole. Ultimately, this could pose a threat to the northern outskirts of the city and cut the key transport artery leading north towards Pokrovsk. The distance from the current positions of Russian units to this logistics artery is less than 10 kilometers.
At this time, Ukrainian troops have concentrated their efforts on defending the Uspenivka area, where an escalation of combat is expected in the near future.
Further south, in the area around the Stepnohirsk and Prymorske settlements, heavy fighting continues. Russian airborne units are advancing in the private sector, while Ukrainian forces are holding their ground in ruined buildings. There has been extremely high activity of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, which are being used en masse to counter the advance.
Krasnolymansk Direction:
Fierce positional battles are ongoing. The Russian command has reported advances by its units, particularly in the area of the so-called «Ivanovsky Salient».
The 67th Motorized Rifle Division is reportedly fighting in this area, breaking through defenses and occupying more favorable positions. Meanwhile, the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Division is attempting to expand the bridgehead on the western bank of the Zherebets River and advance towards the dam northwest of Ivanivka.
There are ongoing battles in the Bohdanasarov Forest and the Kirovka Balka. Ukrainian units have retreated to pre-prepared positions near the zoo farm in the Krasnyi Lyman area. The joint actions of the 144th and 67th Motorized Rifle Divisions are aimed at blocking a sector in the Myrnyi area. Success in this area could potentially lead to the Ukrainian grouping in Torske being threatened with encirclement.
Sumy Direction:
Russian units are reported to have advanced deep into the tree lines, supported by aviation and artillery.
As of 8 October, the Ukrainian side had not undertaken any active offensive actions, as they were busy restoring the combat capability of their units following previous battles. It is also claimed that a sabotage and reconnaissance group from the Ukrainian 140th Special Operations «Centre» was eliminated in this area, with the commander of the group reported to be among those killed.
In the Tetkino and Hlushkivka sectors, Russian attack UAV crews reportedly struck concentrations of personnel and equipment in an attempt to minimize the chance of a breakthrough into the territory of the Kursk Oblast.
Kharkiv Direction:
Combat operations are focused on the Vovchansk area and the Kharkiv sector. The Russian command has announced an advance of up to 200 meters in the forest to the west of Synelnykove, followed by the clearance of 15 buildings.
According to their data, the total advance on the left bank of Vovchansk was up to 300 meters, and in the Melove-Khatnie sector it was about 600 meters per day. It is reported that the Ukrainian forces attempted counterattacks, including with a special company of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, but these were unsuccessful.
Additionally, Russian aviation struck the deployment points of the Ukrainian 3rd Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade in the Obykhivka and Kolodeznoe areas.
Pokrovsk Direction”
The Russian «Center» grouping continues to engage in intense combat within the city of Pokrovsk and on its outskirts. Clearing operations are reported in the Yuzhnyi, Shakhtyorskyi and Solnechnyi microdistricts, as well as in the area around the vehicle depot and water canal and in the city center. Russian units have cut key logistics routes, particularly the T-05-15 highway south of Rodynske.
Conclusion:
As of 8 October 2025, the operational situation is characterised by high-intensity hostilities on most fronts. According to reports, the Russian armed forces have retained the tactical initiative and achieved local successes in the Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Krasnolymansk regions. Key events today include reports of consolidation in Novohryhorivka, creating potential prerequisites for an offensive towards Huliaipole, and the ongoing systematic advance in the Krasnolymansk area, where Russian units are methodically pushing back Ukrainian forces.
During a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák announced the preparation of a 14th support package for Ukraine as part of the ongoing dialogue between Bratislava and Kyiv. According to official statements, this package will exclusively comprise non-lethal humanitarian aid, including engineering and demining equipment such as Božena machines, as well as medical evacuation supplies. This step is consistent with the position of the current Slovak government, which, since late 2023, has ceased direct supplies of weapons from state stockpiles, instead focusing on humanitarian and civilian aid.
However, Slovakia’s decision to transfer Božena demining machines to Ukraine has sparked discussion about their potential use. Officials emphasize the non-lethal and humanitarian nature of this equipment, noting that it is intended for clearing territories and is not a weapon. However, some military experts suggest that such engineering equipment could be used to prepare for offensive operations, particularly for creating passages through minefields. It is emphasized that supplying such equipment does not itself violate international norms. These supplies are taking place against the backdrop of a complex diplomatic situation: While criticizing the supply of weapons, Prime Minister Robert Fico simultaneously declares his readiness for peacekeeping initiatives and practical dialogue with both sides of the conflict.
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