Mon Nov 03 16:30:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports on the ongoing military operations in Ukraine, primarily focusing on Russian offensive efforts and Ukrainian defensive actions. The main areas of focus are the Pokrovsk direction, where Russia is concentrating its efforts, and Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure. The report details tactical advances by both sides, Russian assault tactics and casualty rates, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and electrical infrastructure, and various skirmishes and attacks along the front lines, including in Sumy, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Lyman, Siversk, Kostyantynivka, Dobropillya, Novopavlivka, Velykomykhailivka, Hulyaipole, Zaporizhia, and Kherson directions. Russia also launched missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, causing casualties and damage to civilian and energy infrastructure.
News Article:
Heavy Fighting Continues in Eastern Ukraine as Russia Intensifies Pokrovsk Offensive
Washington, D.C. – The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that intense combat persists in eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces prioritizing the capture of Pokrovsk and surrounding areas. Recent tactical advances have been made by both Russian and Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk region, though Russian assault tactics are resulting in high casualty rates.
According to ISW, Russian forces are employing tactics that involve using untrained soldiers to draw out Ukrainian defenses, followed by trained assault infantry engaging in close combat. Ukrainian forces have managed to strike back, reportedly inflicting heavy personnel losses on Russian units.
In addition to ground battles, Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on Russian oil and electrical infrastructure. These strikes targeted the Tuapse oil terminal in Krasnodar Krai, leading to fires and damage, and substations in Kursk, Lipetsk, and Oryol Oblasts.
Along various front lines, including Sumy, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Lyman, Siversk, Kostyantynivka, Dobropillya, Novopavlivka, Velykomykhailivka, Hulyaipole, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, skirmishes and attacks continue, with no major breakthroughs reported.
Overnight, Russia launched missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, targeting civilian, residential, and energy infrastructure in several regions. These attacks caused casualties, including deaths of civilians, and power outages affecting tens of thousands of subscribers. Ukrainian forces claimed to have downed a significant number of the incoming drones and one missile.
ISW emphasizes that its reporting is based on open-source information, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reports, social media, and commercially available satellite imagery.