No Rotation, No Rest: The Ukrainian Army’s Problems In The Zaporizhzhia Sector And Fighting On Other Fronts

Support SouthFront

Click to see the full-size image

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the situation for Ukrainian forces continues to worsen due to critical personnel issues, primarily the prolonged deployment of units without rotation or rest, leading to severe exhaustion. Meanwhile, on other fronts, the dynamics vary: in the Kupiansk sector, after stabilizing the Radkovka-Holubovka line, the focus has shifted to sabotage and reconnaissance group activities and clearing operations in the forested areas near the city. In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units of the “North” grouping have consolidated their gains by advancing on several fronts, including the Staritsa area and the forest near Liman, where they captured three strongpoints. In the Slaviansk sector, intense fighting continues over the dominant heights in the Zakotne area and north of Reznikovka, which are of key tactical importance. Simultaneously, an advance in a western direction has been noted south of Slaviansk, creating pressure on the defenses. Artillery and unmanned systems are being used actively across all aforementioned front sections. On the international stage, commenting on European Union decisions, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico noted that the European Union could “go to the edge of the abyss” in its approaches.

Krasnyi Liman Sector
Russian units from the 20th and 1st Tank Armies are continuing to conduct active combat operations in this area. Clashes have been reported near the Petrovske settlement and in the forested area near Olgovka. In the Korovyi Yar area and surrounding territories, Ukrainian armed forces personnel and equipment in strongpoints and tree lines are being targeted.

South of Aleksandrovka, Russian units have expanded their control over part of the forested area. Northwest of Yarovaya, Guards units have expanded their control over more territory, approaching the village borders from the forest and along the railway line. They are continuing their advance towards Sosnovoye and the Svyatogorsk railway station. They have advanced through the forested area to the northeastern part of Yarovaya.

Attempts by the Russian army to advance towards the village Stavki from the direction of the fur farm near Krasnyi Liman are noted. Full control of the settlement has not yet been established, and combat continues on its eastern and western outskirts. Efforts are underway to neutralize key fortifications.

Slaviansk Sector

Russian units are conducting clearing operations in the western part of the Dibrova settlement. The adjacent forested area east of the village has been cleared. The control zone has been expanded northwest of Dibrova in the direction of the highway.

North of the Ozerne settlement, a strongpoint was captured, and a forested area was cleared. Fighters from the Russian 3rd Combined Arms Army advanced west of Reznikovka and to the south of the village. The dominant heights to the north remain under the control of the Ukrainian forces.

In the area south of Pazeno and between the settlements of Bondarnoye and Nelepovske, the front line has been straightened and pockets of resistance have been eliminated. Combat clashes continue in the western part of Bondarnoye. According to some Russian sources, Bondarnoye has now come under the full control of Russian forces.

Overall, the situation here is characterized as tense but stable. Fighting for the dominant heights continues in the northern section of the Zakotne area and in the southern section near Reznikovka. An offensive is developing in a western direction on the southern section, towards Slaviansk.

In the Ilyichevka area, a previously established breakthrough has been eliminated, and Ukrainian units have been dislodged from their strongholds. Systematic work continues on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets River. In the Zakotne area, drones are being used for constant fire control. Resistance here is fierce as Ukrainian forces attempt to hold the line of fortified structures.

From Platonovka, Russian units improved their tactical positions, advanced southwest, and captured advantageous lines. This allowed them to take control of a network of field roads used by the Ukrainian army.

West of Sievierodonetsk, Russian forces have advanced approximately three kilometers. New positions have been captured in the Pazino and Reznikovka settlement areas. The control zone along the dominant heights in the north of Reznikovka has been expanded, creating additional difficulties for the units holding them.

Sumy Sector

With the support of aviation, tube and rocket artillery, assault units of the Russian “North” grouping of forces continue to advance deep into Sumy region. Organized resistance is noted in the defense, with additional reserves constantly being committed to battle.

In the Hrabovske area of the Krasnopillia district, the Ukrainian Armed Forces command is transferring personnel from support battalions of training centers. According to available data, these individuals are mainly mobilized with limited fitness and no combat experience.

In the Sumy district, units of the “North” grouping advanced on eight fronts; in the Hrabovske area, they advanced on three fronts. The total advance over the past day amounted to up to 700 meters.

A battalion from the 1st Separate Tank Brigade was transferred to the command of the Ukrainian 71st Separate Air Assault Brigade to be used in assault operations. These troops will likely participate in operations in the areas surrounding the settlements of Varachino and Alekseevka.

Kharkiv Sector

Intensive combat operations are ongoing along all sections of the North Grouping’s advance in the Kharkiv region. Aviation and heavy rocket artillery are delivering precision strikes on identified targets. On the opposite side, measures are being taken to regroup forces and strengthen defensive lines.

In the Staritsa area, the “North” grouping’s units are accelerating the offensive pace, advancing on four fronts by up to 400 meters daily.

In the forested area near Liman, assault groups advanced 500 meters and captured three strongpoints. In the Volchanskie Khutora area, they advanced 250 meters east and consolidated.

In the area surrounding the Melovoye-Khatneye settlements, assault groups continue to expand the security zone near the border. Throughout the day, the advance along tree lines amounted to 150 meters.

Kupiansk Sector

The situation along the Radkovka-Holubovka line has stabilized. The number of attacks by Ukrainian units in this area has decreased in recent days. However, Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are still conducting reconnaissance by fire to identify weak points in the defense.

In the southwest of Kupiansk, near Nechvolodovka and Blagodatovka, Ukrainian units are attempting to gain a foothold in the Yubileinyi microdistrict. Aviation is actively targeting areas of troop concentration. Additionally, Russian assault groups are continuing to clear the forested areas adjacent to Kupiansk.

Active combat operations continue in the forested areas around Podoly village. Although there are no Ukrainian units in the settlement itself, there may be scattered groups in the adjacent forests. There are active operations underway using FPV drones against identified shelters and dugouts.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

The situation for Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Zaporizhzhia sector continues to worsen due to personnel issues, which have led to high levels of exhaustion.

According to available information, Ukrainian 241st Territorial Defense Brigade personnel have held forward positions for several months without rotation or the possibility of resting in the rear. This has led to the soldiers’ significant physical and moral exhaustion, negatively affecting their combat capability. The cited reasons are problems in the command’s personnel policy and a general shortage of trained reserves to replace frontline units.

Given the constant redeployment of Ukrainian reserves to the Kupiansk and Sumy sectors, it is likely that the Russian army will soon reach operational space and increase the pace of the offensive.

Conclusion

As of January 4, 2025, the most intense combat operations are occurring in the Krasnyi Liman, Slavyansk, and Kharkiv sectors. Units, particularly those belonging to the “North” grouping, have reported tactical advances and consolidation on new lines. These advances include the Staritsa area and the forested areas near Liman and Volchanskie Khutora. In the Slaviansk sector, the key areas of confrontation are the heights in the Zakotne and Reznikovka regions, where positional battles are ongoing. In the Sumy sector, steady advances are being made, accompanied by resistance and the deployment of additional reserves by the Ukrainian forces. In the Kupiansk sector, after a decrease in activity, there have been notable actions by sabotage and reconnaissance groups, and the clearing of front-line forests continues. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, according to recent reports, there are ongoing issues related to the prolonged deployment of units on the front line without rotation. The active use of artillery, aviation, and various types of unmanned aerial vehicles is evident throughout.

Meanwhile, processes in the international political arena continue to develop alongside events on the line of contact. Commenting on European Union decisions, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico noted that the European Union could “go to the edge of the abyss” in its approaches. He pointed out that the total volume of financial support provided by the EU has reached 280 billion euros, including the newly approved loan, as well as the sanction packages and measures related to the freezing of assets. He believes that a certain disposition toward Russia prevails in the EU’s foreign policy and that initiatives born in Brussels reflect the positions of specific member states. At the Brussels summit, leaders decided to temporarily abandon the seizure of frozen Russian assets and approve a new 90 billion euro credit package for Ukraine from the EU budget. These steps continue to shape the foreign policy and economic context in which the current phase of the conflict is taking place.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• See Kupiansk And Die: Foreign Mercenaries As Expendable Assets In The Battle For The City
• Near Kupyansk In Ukraine: Intense Urban Fighting And Rear-Echelon Personnel Changes
• Slovyansk Front: Russian Army Takes On Ukrainian Defenses South Of Key City

Support SouthFront