OSINT researcher Clément Molin notes that the situation in Dobropillia is gradually deteriorating as increasing numbers of Russian troops infiltrate the city.
Russian forces are using two main routes: one leading to the northeastern part of the city and another to the southwest.
The infiltration has been ongoing for many weeks, if not months. By now, Russian forces have turned the southern outskirts of the city into a grey zone and are producing propaganda videos showing Russian flags being planted.
The situation resembles the battle for Kostiantynivka, which is still ongoing despite having begun more than a year ago.
However, unlike in Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian forces are in a much stronger position on the flanks. Powerful defensive lines protect Dobropillia against attempts to encircle it from the east and north.
Russian forces are rushing to establish as strong a foothold in the city as possible, as the loss of foliage in autumn will make infiltration operations considerably more difficult.
The Azov Corps of Ukraine's National Guard continues its defensive operation, fighting for every square kilometre along this section of the front.
