New Bridgehead Near Orikhiv: Russian Capture Of Zheleznodorozhne Spells Problems For Ukraine

In the Sumy region, units of the “North” grouping advanced on several fronts, repelling Ukrainian attempts to retake Popivka. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups continued their offensive in the forested areas near Staritsa and Symynivka. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian command is transferring border service units to the Vovchanski Khutory area. In the Kostiantynivka area, fighting continues on the city’s outskirts and in Berestok and Stepanivka, where both sides are vying for the initiative. In the Slaviansk and Izyum areas, Russian troops are fighting within the Krasnyi Lyman city limits and advancing toward Izyum, controlling part of the road near Korovii Yar. The European Parliament approved a procedure that will enable Brussels to borrow from external markets and lend to Kyiv, backed by guarantees from the pan-European budget.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy area, units of the “North” troop grouping are advancing quickly deeper into the region. The offensive is supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems. The Russian Aerospace Forces are increasing the number of strikes on the rear areas and logistical nodes of Ukrainian units.

Assault units of the “North” grouping advanced on nine sections in the Sumy district, five in the Krasnopillia district, and four in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to over 900 meters. Ukrainian units attempted to regain lost positions in Popivka by deploying an assault group. Reconnaissance detected its movement in advance, and fire was brought to bear on it. After this, the group retreated with losses to its original positions.

In the Krasnopillia sector, north of Vysoke, Russian troops advanced toward Popivka, clearing the surrounding forests and the area of the former settlement. From the direction of Kolotylivka, Russian troops entered Pokrivka. They cleared the village and continued to advance through the forest to the west. Ukrainian units actively use these sectors’ forested areas to conceal personnel, logistics, and camouflage firing points.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Staritsa area, Russian units advanced 200 meters through tree plantations on two sections. Aviation strikes and heavy flamethrower systems destroyed the positions of the Ukrainian 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade. In the Symynivka area, Russian assault groups advanced deeper into the forest on four sections, capturing two strong points for a total advance of 300 meters.

In the Vovchanski Khutory area, TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” heavy flamethrower system crews struck the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions. Due to a shortage of personnel, the Ukrainian command is transferring new units to the area, including the 11th Operational Purpose Regiment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, which has already sustained casualties in firefights.

In the Khatnie sector, the “North” grouping’s aviation and artillery struck the 1st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in the forests west of Chuhunivka. Russian assault groups advanced 400 meters along two tree lines.

Kostiantynivka Direction

The operational situation in the Kostiantynivka area remains complex. Fighting continues on the southeastern outskirts of Kostiantynivka itself. Russian units are expanding the combat zone to the east, taking control of the territory west of the “Shanghai” pond. There are also ongoing clashes in the area of the railway station and along the Kryvyi Torets River. The Ukrainian units’ key fortification in the right-bank part of the city is the metallurgical plant on Oleksiy Tykhyi Street. Russian drone operators are conducting reconnaissance and strikes on logistics, destroying assault groups and equipment.

To the south, in the Berestok area, Ukrainian units are attempting to hold the settlement to prevent Russian troops from entering the southwestern part of Kostiantynivka. Berestok is in a “grey zone” with no stable control by either side. Russian units are striking Ukrainian unit positions with artillery and drones. To the north, Russian small assault groups are gradually infiltrating Illinivka and correcting strikes on Ukrainian unit deployment points covering the western outskirts of Kostiantynivka. In Stepanivka, fighting continues in the southern part of the village. North of Illinivka, the “grey zone” has expanded, and small groups are conducting reconnaissance by combat to test the stability of the defense.

Slaviansk Direction

Active combat operations continue in the Krasnyi Lyman sector of the Slavyansk area. There is ongoing fighting in the Aleksandrivka area. Russian units are breaking through in Sosnove towards the Svyatohirsk railway station. Battles for Drobysheve are ongoing. Ukrainian forces are attempting to advance on Novoselivka from Yarova and Drobysheve in order to cut off Russian advances towards the Novoselivka railway platform.

In Krasnyi Lyman, Russian units have advanced into the Komunalnyi microdistrict. Assault groups are penetrating deeper into the city limits from the northeast; there is ongoing street fighting on Heroiv Desantnykiv and Podstepna streets. Active combat clashes are also taking place to the east, in the area from Slobozhanska Street to the gas station.

Izyum Direction

In the direction of Izyum, Russian units continue to advance toward the city. The city is subjected to daily strikes against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel, depots, and equipment.

In the Korovii Yar area, Russian forces have taken control of part of the supply road from Krymky. Strikes are being carried out in the surrounding areas of Rubtsi, Korovii Yar, and Yatskivka. Ukrainian units use forested areas for logistics routes, which complicates aerial reconnaissance. However, Russian drone operators continue to work to identify and eliminate Ukrainian groups.

In the Aleksandrivka area, Ukrainian units are attempting to infiltrate from Krymky through the forest and are also attacking from the direction of Sosnove. In this sector, Russian troops have expanded their control over the forest territory between Yarova and Aleksandrivka, clearing a number of fortifications.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the “East” troop grouping have taken control of Zheleznodorozhne. They have taken control of a prepared Ukrainian defensive area spanning up to 4 kilometers in depth and over 18 square kilometers in area. Over 500 buildings have been cleared.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian units are attempting to intensify their actions in other sectors. After concentrating infantry in the Orestopil area, Ukrainian troops broke into Sosnivka. Other assault groups attempted to advance further south, but Russian troops halted them at more fortified positions north of Berezove.

On the western flank, Ukrainian units crossed the Vovcha River and broke into the eponymous settlement. Several attempts were made to attack Russian positions near Novooleksandrivka, but they were unsuccessful. Attacks were also noted in the Novozaporizhzhia and Dobropillia areas. There were mechanized attacks from Vozdvizhevka toward Priluky, where Ukrainian infantry were destroyed on the approaches to the northern outskirts of the village.

Conclusion

In the Sumy area, the “North” group is accelerating the pace of its offensive and effectively repelling counterattacks, demonstrating the stability of its advance. In the Kharkiv area, combat operations are characterized by the struggle for control of forested areas and settlements. Despite the difficult terrain, Russian assault groups continue to advance, forcing the Ukrainian command to urgently deploy border service units to threatened sectors. The situation near Kostiantynivka is tense and fragmented with many local pockets of resistance and “gray zones,” where the initiative constantly changes hands. The outcome of the struggle for the city largely depends on successes at its southern and eastern approaches. In the Slaviansk and Izyum areas, combat operations are increasingly shifting to urban areas and suburbs, such as Krasnyi Lyman. This requires both sides to engage in complex urban warfare. In the Zaporizhzhia area, the Ukrainian forces are attempting to seize the initiative by launching local counterattacks in other sectors. However, these actions have not yet achieved operational success and have resulted in significant equipment losses.

Amid ongoing hostilities, European Union institutions are developing financial mechanisms to support Ukraine. The European Parliament approved an emergency procedure vote to amend the EU’s multiannual financial plan through 2027. This measure will enable the European Commission to borrow from external markets and lend to Kyiv, backed by guarantees from the union’s general budget. A majority of deputies supported the decision, and a final vote on the amendments, as well as on the approval of the 90 billion euro loan instrument, is planned for the near future.

Approved by EU member state leaders at the end of last year, this financial package is seen as an alternative to more radical proposals, such as the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets, a measure opposed by some states, including Belgium. For the mechanism to enter into force, the budget and corresponding fund amendments must be approved. The European Commission expects to begin payments to Ukraine as early as April of this year. Thus, the economic and financial aspects of the conflict remain at the center of European policy, where practical financing issues are closely intertwined with debates about strategic approaches to resolving it.

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