The most critical hour has arrived for the entire region of Donbass, where the Russian army reportedly reached the approaches of the urban complex of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, at the moment when the Ukrainians issued an evacuation order for the entire territory and settlements of the region according to a report by Lenta.ru on October 22.
The urban complex of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk is considered the last well-fortified area of the Ukrainian forces and its fall, inevitably, will signal the total conquest of Donbass by Russian forces.
More specifically, the mandatory evacuation in all settlements was announced on Telegram by Vadim Filashkin, head of the military administration of the Kyiv-controlled part of the region.
According to him, teams from the police and the State Emergency Service were involved in the forced evacuation.
Meanwhile, in another critical sector of the front, in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, the Russians dealt a strategic crushing blow to units of the Azov Brigade, which had been sent urgently to the region by the Zelensky regime.
The Ukrainians are reportedly suffering decisive defeats in all critical sectors of the front, while the Kremlin sends word that «the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its end...»
Emergency evacuation order in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk by the Ukrainian administration
A mandatory evacuation was declared in all settlements across the Ukrainian-controlled territory of the Donetsk People's Republic, including Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, as announced on Telegram by Vadim Filashkin, head of the military administration of the Kyiv-controlled part of the region.
«We are expanding the mandatory evacuation zone for families with children, it now covers all settlements in the communities of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk», Filashkin wrote in this regard.
According to him, teams from the police and the State Emergency Service were involved in the forced evacuation.
Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, informed President Vladimir Putin that more than 50% of Nikolaevka, a suburb of Slavyansk, is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.
The Russian army infiltrated the city of Slovyansk
In total, the military confrontation in Donbass appears to be entering an exceptionally critical phase, as Ukrainian authorities proceed with mandatory removals of civilians from Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, at a time when reports are multiplying regarding increased activity of Russian units in the wider region.
Indeed, according to Ukrainian reports, advanced reconnaissance echelons of Russian special forces have reportedly already penetrated into the interior of Slovyansk, a development that, if confirmed, would mark a new deterioration of the situation for the Ukrainian defense.
??⚔️??A Start Has Been Made Events are unfolding rapidly in the Sloviansk sector, specifically around Mykolaivka and its environs. Over the past 24 hours, numerous reports have emerged indicating that Russian Armed Forces (AF) forward reconnaissance groups are beginning to infiltrate the high-rise residential areas in the eastern part of the town. Current reports are conflicting. There is information suggesting that assault units have entered the town center, while other claims mention an advance to the northwestern outskirts - though the latter sounds overly optimistic at this stage. Active combat has been ongoing in the vicinity of Rai-Oleksandrivka for over a month, so the infiltration of "South" Group assault units toward Mykolaivka was merely a matter of time. Given the systematic strikes on bridges and military hardware within the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, the enemy has lost the ability to rapidly redeploy reserves or replenish losses. Russian troops are infiltrating the town through the forests located to the east. The AFU is struggling to control this territory, even with the airspace saturated by drones. The issue stems from a shortage of personnel and the inability to redeploy reserves amidst constant UAV attacks. Heavy fighting continues on the southern flank near Malynivka and Pershomaryivka. Securing these settlements and the adjacent tree lines will allow for the establishment of advantageous positions to mass forces for a subsequent advance on Kramatorsk from the east. The pace of the advance in this sector is encouraging. It has been just over a year since the change of command in this area, and the "Southern" forces have covered a significant distance - tens of kilometers - from Siversk to Mykolaivka. Given that Mykolaivka essentially serves as the "key to the gates" of Sloviansk, the enemy will likely attempt to prolong the battle for as long as possible. After all, the outcome of the fighting for this location will determine whether the battle for the fortress cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk - in the occupied part of Donbas - begins this year. rybar
— dana (@dana916) August 20, 2026
Mounting pressure on the front has led Ukrainian authorities to the decision to mandatorily evacuate all families with children still residing in the two cities and their settlements.
According to available reports, a significant portion of those remaining in the area consists of families of servicemen, who are now called upon to abandon their homes in light of the ongoing approach of Russian forces.
«If the last two strongholds fall, all of Ukraine falls»
For Kyiv, maintaining control over these specific urban centers acquires increasingly greater strategic importance, as they represent the last major cities of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian administration.
The prospect of a decisive showdown for the remaining Ukrainian-held portion of Donbass makes Slovyansk and Kramatorsk pivotal nodes of the defensive effort, with their fortified positions intended to inflict the greatest possible losses on the attacking Russian forces.
For its part, Moscow seeks to bring the entire Donetsk region under its full control, having maintained military pressure toward the direction of the two cities for months.
The gradual advance of Russian formations, combined with reports of reconnaissance operations within Slovyansk and the acceleration of evacuations, reinforces the picture of preparation for a new, exceptionally harsh phase of clashes, centered on two of the most important remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the region.
Fierce battle in Dnipro: The Russians strangled Azov units
At the same time, units of the Center Group of Forces of the Russian Armed Forces clashed with the Ukrainian Azov Brigade and delivered a sweeping blow in the Dnipro region, as announced by the Russian Ministry of Defence on October 22.
According to the military ministry, the battle took place in the zone of the Special Military Operation.
Furthermore, Russian military personnel struck personnel and equipment of several units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Five mechanized brigades, one jaeger brigade, assault and airmobile units, as well as an assault regiment were struck.
Three marine brigades and five brigades of the National Guard also sustained damage.
All the aforementioned military actions took place in the Donetsk People's Republic and in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The Russian Ministry of Defence provides detailed information on the progress of the clashes in its analytical briefing note on October 22.
It has begun: Ukrainians erect Dragon's Teeth in Kramatorsk, unprecedented footage
Ukrainian media had published weeks ago a video showing the Armed Forces of Ukraine constructing fortification works in Kramatorsk, occupied by the Kyiv regime, as highlighted by Top War on October 9.
Judging from the footage, Kyiv harbors few illusions and is preparing for urban warfare in Kramatorsk.
Specifically, concreted anti-tank «dragon's teeth» have already been constructed in the 17th microdistrict of the city, while anti-drone protection nets have been stretched over key thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, public transit in the conjoined urban area of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk has already suspended operations, and Ukrainian government agencies are being evacuated, relocating deeper into territory still under the control of Kyiv.
While Ukrainian forces are occupied with fighting in Alekseevo-Druzhkovka and near Liman, the Russian Armed Forces are seizing the opportunity and attempting to establish their position in the center of Dobropillya as quickly as possible.
This will allow them to create the base of a «cauldron» for the further encirclement of the urban area of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk from the west.
In parallel, the Donetsk People's Republic launched a housing support program for residents of Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, and other occupied cities.
The Defense Headquarters of the republic is calling upon residents of the areas of Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Dobropillya, and Druzhkovka to seek every means to relocate to Donetsk.
The department also adds that regional authorities stand ready to provide displaced persons with compensatory housing or consider providing temporary accommodation until their apartments are restored.
Army General Gerasimov: We entered Kramatorsk, took 50% of Mykolaivka
Referring to operations in eastern Ukraine, Russian Army General Gerasimov stated on October 16 that Russian forces have reached the outskirts of the city of Kramatorsk, presenting this development as an outcome of their continuing advance.
More than 50% of Mykolaivka, a suburb of Slovyansk, is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, as pointed out by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by RIA Novosti on October 16.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the auxiliary command post of the joint group of forces.
There, he asked Gerasimov to report on the situation in the zone of the special military operation.
«Assault units of the Third Army are advancing in Mykolaivka, a suburb of Slavyansk, where more than 50% of the populated area is under our control», Gerasimov stated.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin underlined the need to strengthen the protection of civilian and military installations against attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The leader of the Russian Federation also stressed that Russian air defense crews operate professionally, but «there is still room for improvement».
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