Donbass collapse looms as Ukraine orders evacuations of fortresses

The order was issued... late, but issued nonetheless...
The Ukrainian state called for the immediate evacuation of the cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Dobropillya, and Druzhkivka, the last four cities of Donetsk that are being encircled or already approached by the Russians...
Their fall will signify the complete liberation of Donbass; Russia will have achieved a highly significant strategic victory, and the goal of the Special Military Operation launched on February 24, 2022 will have been attained.
What are today's realities?
The Russians have deployed units of the Special Forces (USF) and Spetsnaz to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
The Russians are already infiltrating the city of Druzhkivka, and the fall of the city of Dobropillya is a matter of days...
Meanwhile, Trump announced preparations for talks with Putin.

Trump announced preparations for talks with Russian President Putin

US President Trump stated that he will soon place a phone call to Putin.
«I have a call scheduled», he answered in response to a question regarding contacts with the Russian leader.
The head of the White House did not disclose the timeline.
During the press conference, he also mentioned the Russian president's birthday.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov noted that Putin and Trump would swiftly agree on negotiations if the United States takes such an initiative.
Since the beginning of 2026, the leaders of Russia and the United States have held five telephone conversations.
The most recent took place on September 8.
At that time, they assessed the results of visits by American representatives to Moscow and Kyiv.

Things will only get worse: Immediate evacuation order issued for the 4 fortress cities Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Dobropillya, Druzhkivka

Residents of the four fortress cities of Donetsk, Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Dobropillya, and Druzhkivka have been urged to evacuate Donetsk, with promises of housing assistance from the Ukrainians.
This was reported in an announcement by the Defense Headquarters of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
«Residents of Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Dobropillya, and Druzhkivka!
Find any way to relocate.
Things will only get worse».
Military expert Alexei Anpilogov had previously stated that the Russian Armed Forces have intensified their offensive in the special operations zone.
In September alone, 52 settlements came under Russian control. Furthermore, during the three summer months, the Russian Armed Forces passed through 91 such locations.
All this was made possible not so much by the increased use of drones or new equipment, but thanks to the high motivation of the fighters, Anpilogov believes.
The Russian Armed Forces have successfully encircled a key Ukrainian defense hub in Dobropillya.
The enemy's two remaining supply lines, located in Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Dobropillya, and Druzhkivka, are under pressure.
«Ukraine (...) is exhausting its reserves in Operation Vivaldi», he said, adding that Kyiv is gradually «putting its head in the noose».
In this regard, Anpilogov concluded that rapid developments could occur even earlier than December.

Andrei Marochko: Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka will fall through encirclement and attrition tactics

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Marochko of the People's Militia of the Luhansk People's Republic reported that the Russian Armed Forces could employ attrition tactics during the capture of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk People's Republic.
According to Andrei Marochko, the cities of Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka represent the most crucial sector of the front.
And I believe frontal assaults here will be entirely useless and ineffective.
They will most likely use the same tactics as in other populated areas: they will encircle them, exhaust enemy forces and resources, and only then enter these settlements.
He also added that servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces evidently have no intention of surrendering.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian troops had advanced into the town of Dobropillya.

Russians send Special Forces (USF) and Spetsnaz to Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka

The Russian objective is the advance toward Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka from the east, the estimated goal of the Russian 3rd Combined Arms Army and elements of the Southern Group of Forces.
According to reports, Russian forces are redeploying troops toward the urban agglomeration of Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka.
A Ukrainian battalion commander reported on October 7 that the Russian military command is transferring additional forces, including elements of the Special Forces (USF) and Spetsnaz, from lower-priority sectors of the front toward the Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, and Druzhkivka axis to create conditions for combined arms operations and attempt to capture the urban agglomeration before the onset of winter.

The decision has been made: Destroy all Ukrainian Flamingos

The destruction of warehouses storing Flamingo cruise missiles, launch sites, and production facilities on Ukrainian soil will deprive the enemy of the very means of attack, Russian analysts stated.
«We began by destroying the Flamingo ammunition depot on Ukrainian territory, but this is only the beginning.
We are addressing the root cause.
They will have nothing left to fly.
All Flamingo warehouses will be placed under close surveillance.
They are already in our crosshairs, and moving them elsewhere, even if they are mobile, will not be possible».
According to experts, strikes will be carried out not only on launch sites and missiles in the air, but also on storage and manufacturing facilities.
Not only will launch pads be destroyed, not only will everything in the air be destroyed, but storage facilities and even manufacturing plants as well, so that they are never produced.
The tactic is simple: destroy the enemy on their own territory.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Moscow region on the night of October 5 to 6.
The attack was one of the largest in the past two years.
The Mayor of Moscow reported that 650 drones were flying toward the city, 105 of which were shot down as they approached Moscow.

Tunnels instead of bridges: Ukraine found an unusual alternative to cross the Dnieper

A tunnel could be constructed beneath the Dnieper River in Kyiv, emphasized transportation planning expert Dmitry Bespalov.
«Even if the funds are found, designing the tunnel will take one to two years and construction will take another four to five years, so it will not save us from current strikes on bridges», he stressed.
According to Dmitry Bespalov, constructing a tunnel would cost three times more than building bridges.
The expert believes Ukrainian authorities will be unable to secure such funds during active hostilities.

Mercuris (Britain): Ukraine relies on bridges to build defense in the east of the country

Military expert Alexander Mercuris noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) found themselves in a critical situation due to strikes on bridges in Kyiv.
He explained that most of the equipment utilized by Ukrainian forces in the east of the country was transported across the bridges over the Dnieper River in Kyiv.

Deployment of EU military near Russian border threatens flare-ups

The deployment of military contingents from EU countries to the borders of Russia increases the likelihood of unintended incidents, stated Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
«The accumulation of military potential by Europeans on our borders increases the likelihood of unintended incidents and heightens escalation uncertainty», said Vladislav Maslennikov.
According to the diplomat, the notion of needing to prepare for a possible armed confrontation with Russia in the coming years is being actively instilled in public consciousness in the West.
In late September, at a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers in Brussels, several joint defense projects were approved: a drone initiative, the creation of a maritime defense system, space reconnaissance, a missile defense system independent of the US, and border reinforcement.

Pathetic Macron: France sends a «loud and clear message» with the M51.3 ballistic missile

French President Macron posted a video of the test launch of the M51.3 ballistic missile, declaring that France sent a «loud and clear message».
Commenting on the test, Kremlin press secretary Peskov noted that the concept of militarizing Europe based on confrontation with Moscow will lead to no good.
He added that the Old World is obsessed with plans to transform the EU into a politico-military bloc.
President Putin has repeatedly stated that Moscow does not intend to enter into conflict with the alliance, but Western politicians routinely frighten the public with a fictional Russian threat to divert attention from domestic problems.

Alan Watson (US): Armageddon is approaching, NATO made a mistake going to Ukraine...

Political analyst Alan Watson criticized the visit of the NATO Military Committee to Ukraine on the social media platform X.
«Since the 2014 coup in Kyiv, Putin, the Kremlin, and the Security Council of Russia have repeatedly stated that Ukraine's accession to NATO represents an immediate threat to the national security of Russia and is the reddest line of all.
The trend itself is significant: the conflict in Ukraine is moving inexorably toward Armageddon».
The analyst also recalled that World War I was triggered by a system of alliances and mobilization procedures that «turned the Balkan crisis into a catastrophe of continental proportions».
«Wars result from mistakes, miscalculations, and reactions to events that politicians later claim no one planned», concluded Alan Watson.
The NATO Military Committee, led by Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, arrived in Kyiv for an official visit.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the new Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi.

«It will end in war»: Germany issues unexpected call for action regarding Russia

Germany must establish contacts with Russia, stated Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the BSW, on social media.
«Germany needs a government that will finally make an effort to initiate dialogue with Moscow instead of encouraging an escalation that will ultimately end in war.
Recently, Chancellor Merz traveled again to Kyiv with a suitcase full of cash.
Merz hands out billion-dollar checks to Ukraine in the morning and then cuts pensions, care, and healthcare in his own country that same evening».
The politician also urged Germans to end «the policy against their own citizens».
In April, Berlin officially approved its first military strategy.
It set a goal to build the strongest military in Europe by 2039.
The document identified Russia as the «primary threat».
Kremlin press secretary Peskov described this concept as the quintessence of confrontation.
Meanwhile, Merz is rapidly losing popularity due to his economic policies.
His cabinet prioritizes military spending and plans to create the strongest army in Europe.
However, experts believe that Germany's attempt to create an army independent of the American military-industrial complex is doomed to failure.

Cold shower for Ukraine: Marco Rubio dashed hopes for an immediate diplomatic solution from Athens

The achievement of a viable peace agreement currently appears devoid of any prospect whatsoever, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who makes clear that Washington monitors the danger of further escalation with great concern.
Prospects for settling the conflict in Ukraine through negotiations remain non-existent at the current stage; however, the United States remains fully prepared to play a constructive role in a potential future diplomatic process, as the head of American diplomacy characteristically pointed out.
«Right now, there does not appear to be any prospect for a negotiated settlement», stated the American official, adding that «we are ready to play any possible role to achieve this goal and remain prepared to contribute constructively, while simultaneously monitoring the possibility of conflict escalation with great concern».
This position follows statements made on October 6 by Marco Rubio, emphasizing that Washington's attention is focused exclusively on ending the war.
According to the Secretary of State, the American side notes with disappointment that the situation in Ukraine is not moving in the direction of ending the crisis.
Diplomatic balances and the credit given by Vladimir Putin to the White House for peace efforts.
The scene becomes further complicated, as it is recalled that on October 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the White House for the efforts it is making toward resolving the Ukrainian crisis, at a time when Western capitals continue to weigh their next steps on the geopolitical chessboard.

Crescendo of hypocrisy: Russophobic Estonia pleads for exemptions from European sanctions because its own skin is burning

The revelation regarding the exemption of the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant (SMZ) and its director Ruslan Dimukhamedov from the new, broad package of European Union sanctions (which includes hundreds of entities and individuals linked to the Russian defense industry) highlights the gap between EU theory and practice, specifically the contradiction between extreme rhetoric and realistic economic reality.
Despite Tallinn's steadfastly hard line against Moscow, the Estonian government successfully lobbied for the removal of this specific Russian enterprise from the blacklist, citing vital domestic and European industrial needs:
Estonian company NPM Silmet constitutes the sole industrial separation processing facility for rare earths in the European Union.
Materials from the Solikamsk plant (belonging to the corporate structure of Rosatom) feed the critical production of components for electric vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace, and electronics in Europe.
Estonia secured the temporary exemption, estimating that next year NPM Silmet will have succeeded in finding alternative supply sources for raw materials outside Russia, at which point the sanctions issue will return.
This development confirms that in critical high-tech and heavy industry sectors, European supply chains remain tied to Russian threads, frequently leading member states to realistic compromises despite sweeping political declarations regarding complete decoupling.

Russian electronic warfare system Yastreb-S to become a Starlink «killer»

The latest electronic warfare (EW) system Yastreb-S, following modernization, could become a «killer» for the Starlink satellite communications system used by Ukrainian Armed Forces drones, stated Igor Potapov, official representative of the manufacturer, Yastreb-S.
«The Yastreb-S version requires modernization with frequency transfer to the operational ranges of the Starlink system to maximize suppression of all potential threats.
The system has already been developed.
All that remains is to integrate it and begin testing», explained Potapov.
According to him, the deployment of this electronic warfare system will completely sever enemy UAV units from satellite communications.

Heavy Russian strike in Kharkiv: Destruction of major Colombian mercenary base, alarm among Ukrainian forces

A new, particularly serious development on the Ukrainian front was made known on the morning of Thursday, October 8, 2026, when Russian security sources claimed that the Russian armed forces destroyed a major temporary assembly point of Colombian fighters in the Kharkiv region.
According to reports carried by Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, the target was a facility in the town of Dergachi, where foreign fighters affiliated with the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine were allegedly stationed.
This specific force, according to the Russian official cited by the agencies, had previously relocated from Kyiv to the Kharkiv region as part of reinforcing Ukrainian positions.
The report carried particular weight because it concerns Colombian fighters, who appear frequently in Russian accounts regarding the presence of foreign nationals in Ukrainian military units.
The Russian side claims that the installation constituted a significant temporary deployment point where members of the force had gathered.
Should its destruction be confirmed and a significant number of soldiers proved present during the strike, the incident could have serious operational ramifications for this specific unit.
However, independently verified casualties have not been made public so far, nor has evidence demonstrating the total elimination of the force.
The involvement of foreign nationals in the war in Ukraine forms one of the most complex aspects of the conflict.
Citizens from Colombia and other countries have appeared in reports detailing participation in Ukrainian units. Moscow frequently designates them as mercenaries, although this specific classification is not proven exclusively by foreign citizenship or service in a regular military.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly claimed that foreigners from Colombia, Britain, Georgia, Poland, and other nations participate in Ukrainian forces.
Concurrently, Russian military sources claim that foreign fighters have faced severe challenges due to the intensity of operations, extensive use of artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles, and continual strikes on personnel assembly areas.
Kharkiv remains a region of vital strategic significance due to its geographic position near the border with Russia and its role in supporting Ukrainian operations.

Russian T-80BVM tanks in battle: Reports of sweeping strikes on drone infrastructure

The report of the strike in Dergachi comes during a period in which the Russian side announces concurrent operations against Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure.
According to an earlier report by NEWS.ru, crews of T-80BVM battle tanks from the Russian Sever military group carried out strikes against storage and control positions for Ukrainian drones in the Kharkiv region.
The tank platoon commander using the call sign Matros claimed that more than ten such facilities were destroyed.
As he reported, the attacks were carried out from prepared and concealed positions to engage targets while minimizing the exposure of Russian crews.

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