Russia redeploys armored vehicles to Dobropillia sector: occupiers launch mechanized attacks

Russian troops are deploying armored vehicles and drone support assets to the Dobropillya sector. They likely plan to conduct mechanized attacks in the fall, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War. As analysts noted, the commander of the Azov Group of Forces, Brigadier General Denys Prokopenko, stated on September 11th that the Russian 51st, 8th, and 41st Combined Arms Armies are preparing for upcoming mechanized attacks in the Dobropillya direction in the fall, seeking to take advantage of seasonal weather changes. Prokopenko said that approximately 1,200 drone crews from Russia's elite Rubicon Center for Advanced Unmanned Systems are operating in this area, indicating that Russian forces likely intend to use drones to maintain air control of the battlefield, as well as to support Russian mechanized attacks. He added that Russian forces would likely begin to reinforce their existing assault units, consisting of about 200 infantrymen, with mechanized columns of about 50 armored vehicles to distract the Ukrainian forces and increase the chances of a successful breakthrough. According to Prokopenko, the Russian offensive campaign will reach its climax in September 2026, and the Russians will begin to shift their tactics toward attempting mechanized breakthroughs by October 2026. While the enemy will attempt to capture at least one settlement in the fortress belt by the end of the autumn campaign in order to create a bridgehead for further offensives. Analysts say both Ukrainian and Russian forces have experimented with reintroducing limited elements of mechanized maneuver at the tactical level to break out of trench warfare and resume battlefield maneuver, with Ukraine's efforts thus far proving significantly more effective. Russia's accumulation of armored vehicles in the Dobropillia sector indicates that the Russian military command may intend to expand the role of mechanized airborne forces [music] in the autumn weather conditions. Attempting to achieve a breakthrough in the Dobropillia sector and encircle the fortress belt from the south, ISW suggested. As recently reported, Ukraine liberated a town in Donbas from the occupiers. According to Deep State analysts, this is Shred in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian forces also prevented the enemy from advancing near Shandryholove in the Lyman sky district of Donetsk Oblast and repelled them. Furthermore, we reported that the defense forces thwarted Russia's plans to encircle the belt of fortresses in Donbas by eliminating the Russian salient north of Lyman. According to ISW analysts, Russian troops will not capture the Donetsk region until 2032 at the current rate of advance if they manage to capture it at all. At the same time, Reuters noted that the new Ukrainian command is preparing for the heaviest fighting as Russian troops are gradually approaching key cities in the Donetsk region and some of the fiercest clashes of the year could begin in this area in the fall. >> [music]