Sep 05, 2026
Ukrainian forces have recently advanced in parts of the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, while Russian troops failed to make confirmed gains across several other sectors of the frontline.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its September 4 assessment, Ukrainian troops advanced or maintained positions in northern Kharkiv region, moved forward east of Slovyansk in Donetsk region, and gained ground near Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk region.
In northern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Odradne, east of Kharkiv. ISW assessed that Ukrainian troops continue to control the settlement despite Russian claims that it had been captured.
Russian forces also continued offensive operations toward Kupyansk, but ISW found no evidence of new Russian advances. Around Borova, Russian troops conducted limited attacks on September 3 and 4 but failed to gain ground as Ukrainian forces counterattacked.
Ukraine advances east of Slovyansk
In Donetsk region, ISW assessed that Ukrainian forces recently advanced east of Slovyansk, where Russian troops have been attempting to seize tactical heights that could create more favorable conditions for a future offensive toward the city.
The institute also said available evidence continues to contradict earlier Russian claims of advances east of Slovyansk, with Ukrainian forces maintaining positions in areas Moscow had claimed to control.
Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka area on September 3 and 4 but did not advance, according to ISW. Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions that complicate Russian attempts to push toward and around Kostyantynivka.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Russian forces similarly continued attacks without making confirmed territorial gains. ISW noted that Russia has intensified operations in the area and deployed additional personnel there.
Ukrainian forces gain ground near Novopavlivka
ISW also assessed that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Novopavlivka direction, gaining ground west of Kotlyarivka, immediately east of Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk region.
Farther south, Russian forces continued offensive operations around Hulyaipole and in western Zaporizhzhia region on September 3 and 4, but ISW recorded no Russian advances in either area.
The latest assessment indicates localized Ukrainian gains across several sectors while Russian forces continue offensive operations in eastern and southern Ukraine without confirmed advances on a number of key axes.
Earlier, on September 1, ISW reported that Russian forces had continued offensive operations across several frontline sectors but failed to secure confirmed advances in key areas, while Ukrainian troops launched counterattacks in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.