WW3 map updates show Russian glide bombs striking Ukraine fortress cities daily
Russian forces executed two captured Ukrainian National Guardsmen near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, while intense Russian strikes and ground pressure continue on Ukraine's fortress cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostyantynivka as Moscow seeks to complete its control of Donbas. WW3 map updates highlight the daily pattern of glide bomb strikes now hitting these fortress cities.
War Crime in Donetsk Oblast
Russian troops captured two Ukrainian National Guard service members at a firing position in a forest belt near Dobropillia on 2 September before shooting them with automatic weapons. [1] The killings are classified as a war crime under Article 438.2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, violating the Geneva Conventions, with a pre-trial investigation underway by the Security Service of Ukraine. [1] Investigators determined that the Ukrainian defenders were carrying out a combat mission when Russian forces took them prisoner. [1] Members of the Russian Armed Forces later executed the two service members by shooting them with automatic weapons. [1] The Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office launched the pre-trial investigation into the war crime resulting in death. [1] The Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts is conducting the investigation to establish all circumstances and identify those involved. [1]
Intensified Attacks on Fortress Cities
WW3 map updates track how Slovyansk and Kramatorsk now face near-daily glide bomb attacks, up from roughly once a week in Slovyansk. [3] The number of glide bombs rose from 40 in June to 109 in July. [3] Kostyantynivka, the third city in the fortress belt, has seen only a limited Ukrainian troop presence remain. [3] Russian forces have focused ground assaults on the territory near Kramatorsk and Slovyansk for the past few months. [3]
Russian forces execute two captured Ukrainian National Guardsmen near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast. — Source: kyivindependent
Surge in Drone and Bomb Pressure
The two cities face intense strikes from drones and bombs in addition to the glide bombs. [3] Key streets in Kramatorsk are covered with anti-drone nets because of the frequent presence of remote-controlled FPV drones. [3] Volunteers report that driving around the cities has become lethally dangerous due to drones lying in ambush on the roads. [3] Explosions can be heard in the background along with mobile groups firing at drones. [3] On 25 August, nine glide bombs targeted Kramatorsk, with seven hitting civilian apartment blocks and wounding 24 people including a two-month-old baby. [3] Two days later, seven glide bombs hit Kramatorsk again and five targeted Slovyansk. [3]
Civilian Impact and Evacuations
Civilian casualties in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk rose sharply, with 212 wounded in August compared to 70 in June. [3] Sixteen people died in June, 20 in July and 15 in August. [3] Residential areas as well as infrastructure have sustained significant destruction. [3] Police say it is time for civilians to leave because security has deteriorated so much. [3] Forced evacuations of families with children have already begun in the worst affected areas. [3] One police official stated that this is the only way to save lives. [3] Many civilians have already left the cities. [3]
Strategic Context in Donbas
The full capture of Donbas remains a key objective for Russia. [3] Russian forces already control almost all of Luhansk region and almost 80 percent of Donetsk region. [3] Capturing the fortress belt cities would potentially make it much easier for Russia to advance further west. [3] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Putin gave his generals until the end of the year to complete the occupation of Donbas. [3] Zelensky has created two new task forces headed by generals Andriy Biletsky and Denys Prokopenko to defend the remaining Ukrainian-controlled areas. [3] One unnamed Ukrainian general described the fighting as probably the main battle of this year and the next. [3]
Adaptations in Kyiv to Drone Threats
Kyiv authorities have imposed new restrictions on mass outdoor events without shelters due to around-the-clock Russian jet-powered drone attacks. [2] Several cultural festivals have been postponed or canceled as a result. [2] The founder of the Kurazh festival announced that the project would suspend operations until safer times. [2] The Book Country festival was postponed until spring. [2] GogolFest moved part of its program to spring. [2] The Deruny festival in Zhytomyr Oblast was canceled. [2] On Aug. 27, Kyiv recorded 13 air raid alerts in a single day. [2] The capital spent around 17 hours under alerts on Sept. 8. [2] Authorities introduced different levels of air raid alerts allowing some businesses to operate during lower-level threats. [2] Kyiv also shortened its curfew and extended public transport hours. [2]
What to watch next: Ukrainian police data show continued glide bomb launches into August, while festival organizers in Kyiv assess whether events can resume in spring amid ongoing around-the-clock drone threats.
