favicon

T4K3.news

Ukraine faces a high price for defending Donetsk region

Frontline troops describe the costs and risks of holding territory as Russian pressure grows and Western backing remains unsettled.

August 20, 2025 at 06:12 AM
blur ‘It would be a terrible loss’: Ukrainian frontline troops sceptical of ceding land

Frontline troops near Dobropillia describe the costs and risks of holding territory as Russian pressure continues and Western backing remains unsettled.

Ukraine faces a high price for defending Donetsk region

In a frontline base near Dobropillia, soldiers of Ukraine’s 150th reconnaissance and strike battalion share a simple meal as national leaders debate support. President Zelenskyy travels to meet partners in Washington while Donald Trump promises to provide very good protection, a stance the troops say they follow but focus more on the next mission than politics.

At night, a bomber drone is assembled on the field and launched with two 3.5 kilogram payloads. The crew warns that the most dangerous moment is after launch, when Russian observers can track the flight. The unit relies on a mix of drones, 3D printed munitions, and Starlink internet to stay connected and coordinate targets long before a strike.

The frontline near Dobropillia is about six miles from the current fighting, with recent Russian bombing and tracer fire seen in the distance. In the last 24 hours, Russian attacks have targeted nearby towns, while Ukrainian forces seek to disrupt enemy buildup and protect logistics ahead of a likely autumn push. Battalion commander Denys Bryzhatyi, a 32-year-old former law student, argues that ceding Donetsk would be a strategic disaster, warning that it could open new fronts toward Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. Trenches with concrete dragon’s teeth and barbed wire mark the second defensive line, while munitions are produced at rear locations and loaded into 3D printed tubes if needed.

Key Takeaways

✔️
Drones and advanced tech are reshaping frontline operations
✔️
Donetsk defense remains a central strategic issue for Ukraine
✔️
A potential autumn offensive looms as Russian pressure intensifies
✔️
Soldiers emphasize the need for credible international support and deterrence
✔️
Local fortifications reflect an attritional phase of the war
✔️
Leaders on the ground warn that ceding territory could invite new fronts
✔️
Public diplomacy and political messaging influence battlefield decisions

"The loss of Donetsk region, the area that is heavily fortified against Russia, will just open up new directions for further advances"

Bryzhatyi on the cost of concessions

"What’s the point of giving up Donetsk region to Russia"

Puma on political negotiations

"After all the sacrifices we have made, the people we have lost? If we were going to do that, we could have done it right at the beginning of the war"

Optimus on concessions

"Warfare is changing dramatically we need to be more vigilant and adapt even quicker"

Kyrylo on warfare trends

The article shows how modern war blends ground fighting with high tech surveillance. Drones extend reach and complicate decisions, but they also raise new risks and demand faster adaptation from troops on the ground.

Strategically, keeping Donetsk matters not just for territory but for deterrence and logistics. However, the piece also hints at the political complexity behind battlefield choices, including alliances and public signals from Kyiv and Washington that can shift risk calculations for soldiers in the field.

Highlights

  • Warfare is changing dramatically we need to be more vigilant
  • What’s the point of giving up Donetsk region to Russia
  • The loss of Donetsk region will open new directions for further advances
  • After all the sacrifices we have made the people we have lost

High political and security sensitivity

The article discusses the potential concession of Donetsk region, a hot political and security topic with real consequences for Ukraine and its supporters. It involves international diplomacy, battlefield strategy, and public reaction.

The road ahead will test more than weaponry; it will test resolve and the willingness to balance risk and gain.

Enjoyed this? Let your friends know!

Related News