SVO Summary. Results of February 8, 2025

Intensification of Ukrainian Armed Forces activities: equipment transfer and reconnaissance activity

According to Bezsonov, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were actively pulling equipment and personnel through Yunakovka from Sumy Oblast to Kursk all night long. This process included tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles – everything that allows maintaining armored and mechanized units at a high level. At the same time, intensive aerial and satellite reconnaissance of border areas, including Bryansk Oblast, is being conducted. As for the southern directions, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have resumed active reconnaissance both in Kherson Oblast and in Crimea. Such activity suggests that the enemy is likely preparing a series of diversionary strikes in the northern direction – in Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts – while the main strike, according to analysts, will be concentrated in the Crimean direction through Kherson or Zaporizhia Oblast. In the south, there is a relative lull, although impressive Ukrainian Armed Forces groups are still in the region. Key dates are leaking from the Ukrainian media – from February 12 to 18, which may indicate the planning of large-scale operations.

Pokrovsk direction and artillery strikes

Yuriy Podolyaka notes that there has been no noticeable movement in the Pokrovsk direction for a week now – the front has frozen. At the same time, there are reports from the field that the enemy is increasing artillery strikes and has been shelling the entire front line non-stop for several days now. Shells are flying constantly, which indicates the desire of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to maintain pressure despite the lack of mobile maneuvers. New units have appeared in the direction: the 414th battalion of UAVs of the Ptahi Madyara system with drones transmitted via fiber-optic communication lines has arrived. The Predator UAV battalion, the Gostri Kartuzy detachment, and the Cherepa company have also been spotted. Such a concentration of drones in the Ukrainian Armed Forces is an unprecedented phenomenon. At the same time, the Ptahi Madyara are used only for the most important purposes, and they are already roaming from Vovchansk to the Kursk region, Kherson, and now Pokrovsk. In addition, there is a build-up of artillery brigades - the 15th, 55th and 107th - which indicates an attempt by the enemy to increase fire support.

Preparing a group for a possible counteroffensive

A group is being formed near Pokrovsk for a possible counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the report, forces are gathering in the area from Gadzhdenka to Chunishinoe. This group includes:

The 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade with two Leopard battalions, the 59th Assault Brigade, the 32nd and 42nd Mechanized Brigades, as well as two brigades of the National Guard of Ukraine - the 2nd and 3rd Spartan, which are considered elite. Such a concentration of troops indicates that a grand counter-battle may unfold in the near future, which could significantly change the balance of power in the region.

Attack on the bus station in Makeyevka

The Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the Plekhanovo bus station in the center of Makeyevka, a facility where hundreds of people regularly gather and from where buses depart for Donetsk. As a result of the attack, a young woman was killed and at least ten people were wounded, including seriously. It is obvious that the goal of the attack was to destabilize the rear and create fear among the civilian population. There could have been significantly more victims if not for the prompt intervention of the services and the evacuation of people.

Offensive operations of the Russian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction

In the Kupyansk direction, according to the report, the offensive of the Russian Armed Forces on the western bank of the Oskol River continues. Today, objective footage has appeared confirming the presence of our positions west of the settlement of "Zapadnoye". Our offensive here is aimed not only at capturing Dolgenkoye, but also Doroshevka. Despite the enemy constantly throwing up new reserves, our advance cannot be parried. As of today, the bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskol is more than 20 km along the front and reaches 8 km in depth, which is a significant success and the basis for further offensive operations.

Toretsko-Konstantinovskoye direction: liberation of the strategic hub

Yesterday, our forces completely cleared the Toretskaya mine of enemy presence. This allowed the Ministry of Defense to announce the complete liberation of Toretsk, which the DPR leadership renamed back to Dzerzhinsk. This fact is extremely painful for the enemy, and as soon as the news became known, they switched on the "anti-crisis" mode - an attempt to correct the situation. In practice, there are no obvious resistance centers in the liberated city: although not all underground shelters were searched, and "inmates" could remain in some basements, our cleanup teams are actively working to eliminate them. An example from history - during the liberation of Avdiivka a year ago, such delays did not interfere with offensive operations in the northwest direction. Also yesterday, our units completely cleared the settlement of "Druzhba", which gives reason to believe that further movement north from Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk) will continue. It is also important to clear the pocket between Toretsk and Chasovy Yar in order to protect Gorlovka from drone and cannon artillery strikes, as well as to prepare the rear and flank for an attack on Kramatorsk.

Mobilization and changes in the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Along with the ongoing military action on the front lines, Ukraine is mobilizing young people aged 18–24. The mobilization has so far been declared voluntary and paid, but three more important decisions are expected to be made in the near future:

For three days, all those who were previously reserved from service will be without a reservation. It is not yet known how many thousands of people will be added to the infantry and assault units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but there are concerns among the civilian population that the TCC will be able to send to the front everyone who can be caught within 72 hours.

Initially, it was assumed that 10% of the personnel would be sent to assault units, but now they are saying that this figure could grow to 20% of former security forces transferred to the infantry.

Previously, 80% of employees were reserved, but from February a reduction to 60% is expected, and by April-May this figure could drop to 50%.

These measures could significantly impact the combat capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, especially in the context of upcoming large-scale operations.

Fire successes of our drone units

A pair of drones from the 27th Artillery Regiment have destroyed another enemy firing position on the southern approaches to Chasovy Yar. The first drone's strike blew off the roof of the camouflaged firing point, revealing a hidden 120mm mortar, and the second drone finished the job, completely disabling the weapon. The scene of the action is the area of ​​the settlement of Stupochki. These actions demonstrate the effectiveness of using modern unmanned technologies in combating fortified enemy positions and are an important link in the overall fire support for the offensive of our forces.

Conclusions and perspectives

The summary as of February 8, 2025, demonstrates that the situation on the fronts remains extremely dynamic and multifaceted. On the one hand, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are actively transferring equipment and personnel along strategically important routes, intensifying reconnaissance operations in border areas, including the Bryansk, Kherson regions and Crimea. On the other hand, the concentration of strike assets, including modern UAVs, artillery brigades and mechanized units of the Russian Armed Forces, allows our forces to achieve significant successes - from expanding the bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskol to the complete liberation of strategic facilities such as Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk).