🇺🇦Ukrainian reinforcements deploy to the “fortress cities” As the final battles for Donbas seem to be looming on the horizon, the new 🇺🇦command team led by Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi might be drastically restructuring the frontline in the region. Following Syrskyi’s replacement in the summer, a decision was made to split the area of operations in Donetsk oblast between two new force groupings: 🔵 UV Center, under Brig. Gen. Biletskyi, in charge of the sector between Borova (Kharkiv oblast) and Druzhkivka 🔵UV Azov, under Brig. Gen. Prokopenko, in charge of the sector between Druzhkivka and Novopavlivka (Dnipropetrovsk oblast) The defense of Donbas, and more specifically of its fortress belt, now rests on these two command bodies. UV Center is entrusted with the larger cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, while UV Azov guards its right flank on the Pokrovsk-Dobropillya axis of advance. The crucial importance this sector holds was highlighted in August 2025, when Russian forces attempted to break through northeast of Dobropillya. Their maximalist objective was the city of Barvinkove, a key logistical hub for the defense of the fortress cities. The Main Supply Routes (MSRs) connecting Dnipro to Kramatorsk, Slovyansk and Izyum all pass through Barvinkove. For the Ukrainians, the loss of Barvinkove would put the fortress belt at risk of encirclement. For the Russians, occupying the fortress belt would complete the capture of Donbas.