The ministry said units of Russia’s Center group were taking part in the offensive and described the area as strategically important to Moscow’s campaign in Donbas, Anadolu Agency reported.
According to the ministry, control of Dobropillia would increase pressure on Ukrainian positions around the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka urban area, which it described as a major fortified zone.
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Russia also said Dobropillia serves as an important transport and logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in Donbas, with supply routes running from the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The ministry claimed that establishing control over the city would disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and that control of elevated positions around Dobropillia could facilitate further Russian advances toward the administrative boundary of Donetsk region.
Moscow also said Ukrainian forces were attempting to prevent Russian troops from taking the city and breaking the encirclement, but claimed that the attacks had been repelled.
Independent verification of the Russian military’s battlefield claims was not immediately available.
The reported developments come as fighting continues across Donetsk region, where both sides have sought to gain positions that could affect logistics and access to key urban centers. Recent assessments have also described continued Russian pressure around Dobropillia and neighboring areas.
