Russian Forces Advance in Donetsk, Capturing Multiple Villages and Nearing Druzhkivka

On 13 August 2026 Russian troops seized several settlements in Donetsk Oblast, while Ukrainian drone activity continued across the front line

On 13 August 2026 Russian ground forces reported a series of territorial gains in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, capturing the villages of Molocharka, Novyi Donbas, Krasnyi Kut, Torske, Toretske and retaking Staroukrainka. The advances bring Russian units within 4.38 sq km of the southwestern outskirts of Druzhkivka, a strategic urban centre in the region. No casualty figures were released in the source reports, and the statements focus on positional changes and flag‑raising ceremonies.

Russian Ground Advances in Donetsk Oblast

According to monitor_the_situation, Russian forces secured Molocharka at 04:29 UTC after approximately three months of fighting in the Kostyantynivka direction. The same outlet later confirmed the capture of Novyi Donbas at 04:13 UTC, a village in the Pokrovsk district with a pre‑war population of roughly 549 residents. GeoPWatch added that at 04:06 UTC Russian troops took the settlements of Krasnyi Kut, Torske and Toretske, and posted footage of Russian flags in the nearby village of Petrivka. The report emphasized that Russian units are now only 4.38 sq km from Druzhkivka and that personnel have entered the adjacent settlement of Raisen.

"The Russian military has captured the settlements of Krasnyi Kut, Torske, and Toretske along with footage surfacing of Russian flags being flown in the village of Petrivka. Russian forces are now only 4.38 sq km from the southwestern outskirts of Druzhkivka, possibly even closer as there have already been reports of Russian personnel entering Raisen." – GeoPWatch, 13 Aug 2026

At 03:35 UTC, monitor_the_situation reported the recapture of Staroukrainka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast after a five‑month battle, reversing a prior Ukrainian gain in the Polohy district. The series of captures reflects a coordinated push along the eastern front, with Russian units consolidating control over transport routes and approaching key logistical hubs.

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Refinery

In a cross‑border kinetic event, Ukrainian‑operated drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, at 04:37 UTC. The attack ignited a large fire at one of Russia’s largest oil‑and‑petrochemical complexes. The source, monitor_the_situation, provided a photo of the blaze but did not disclose casualty numbers or the specific type of UAV employed.

"Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex in Bashkortostan, one of Russia's largest oil and petrochemical refineries, igniting a major fire." – monitor_the_situation, 13 Aug 2026

The incident underscores the expanding reach of Ukrainian aerial assets beyond the immediate front line, targeting strategic industrial infrastructure deep within Russian territory.

Russian Drone Monitoring Along the Dnipro‑Kryvyi Rih Corridor

At 05:16 UTC, intelslava reported that Russian drones were actively monitoring targets along the Dnipro‑Kryvyi Rih corridor in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. During the operation a transport truck caught fire, though the source did not specify whether the fire resulted from a direct strike or an accident. The drones were described as conducting real‑time tracking of movement along the corridor, a critical supply route for Ukrainian forces.

"Russian drone operators are continuing to track targets along the Dnipropetrovsk‑Kryvyi Rih route in real-time. Another truck is on fire." – intelslava, 13 Aug 2026

No weapon system beyond the UAV platform was identified, and no casualties were reported.

Geran‑4 Loitering Munition Strike on Ukrainian Boat Near Ochakiv

At 00:49 UTC, a Geran‑4 loitering munition, a Russian‑manufactured precision strike drone, hit a Ukrainian boat near the port city of Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast. The source, intelslava, supplied video footage of the impact. The report did not mention injuries or damage to the vessel beyond the strike.

"A Geran-4 loitering munition equipped with an electro‑optical (EO) seeker struck a Ukrainian boat near the port of Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast." – intelslava, 13 Aug 2026

The use of a loitering munition highlights the continued employment of expendable UAVs for maritime interdiction in the Black Sea littoral zone.

Ukrainian Attack on Wildberries Warehouse in Bashkortostan

At 05:53 UTC, intelslava reported that Ukrainian forces attacked a Wildberries retail warehouse in the town of Chishmy, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. The brief noted the presence of three photographs but did not specify weapons used, casualties, or the extent of damage. The incident appears to be part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes on commercial targets within Russian territory.