File image.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian troops continue to fight in the Verkhnia Tersa area, carrying out air and artillery strikes on Vozdvizhevka. Ukrainian troops actively defend the area, launching counterattacks with small assault groups. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops have advanced up to 300 meters in ten sectors. They are fighting in forested areas and alongside the Vovcha River. They have also captured Volokhivka, the third village south of the river in a month. In the Sumy region, Russian assault groups have advanced into Zapsillia and are consolidating their position on the Psol Riverbank. They are also fighting in Riasne and have advanced up to 400 meters in nineteen sectors. The situation in the Slaviansk area remains complex, with extensive “grey zones” around Dibrova, Zarichne, and Yampil. Strikes on Ukrainian unit logistics on highways and crossings continue. The G7 countries have called on Ukraine to make steady progress with reforms aimed at combating corruption, strengthening the rule of law, and countering the shadow economy.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy area, the “North” troop grouping’s assault units continue to advance deeper into the region. There are ongoing firefights in the areas around Ulanovo and Bachivsk. Drone operators and artillerymen of the “North” troop grouping struck previously identified Ukrainian unit targets.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 400 meters along nineteen fronts. During decisive actions, assault groups advanced into Zapsillia and its vicinity. Clashes for control of this settlement and the Psol River bank continue.
In the Krasnopillia district, Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters in Riasne and the surrounding area. The Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense crews of the “North” grouping attacked the positions of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of Ukrainian units in forested areas of the Krasnopillia district with heavy flamethrower systems.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Kharkiv area, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to expand the security zone. In the Vovchansk area, assault units advanced up to 300 meters across ten sectors. There are ongoing firefights in the forested areas of the Vovchansk district, along the right bank of the Vovcha River, and in Volokhivka and Karaichne. For the fifth consecutive day, rocket strikes hit concentrations of personnel from the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian units in the forested area of Izbitske.
In the Velykyi Burluk area, fighting continues in Budarka and in the forests northwest of the Kupyansk district. The artillery of the 1st Border Detachment shelled a forested area between Mykolaivka and Budarky with rockets.
In the Burluk area, the “North” grouping captured another settlement. Volokhivka is the third village south of the Vovcha River to come under the control of Russian units since May. In addition to establishing a bridgehead south of the Vovcha River, Russian forces are clearing the area between the river and the state border. Assault groups are advancing east from the Severodonetskyi nature reserve through forested areas. Fierce fighting continues on the eastern flank.
The Ukrainian side has withdrawn its surviving units from the fighting for Kupyansk and its unused reserves to the Burluk direction, so new counterattacks by Ukrainian units should be expected, both in small groups through the forests and with equipment support, as was the case near Otradne.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the Zaporizhzhia region, west of Huliaipole, Russian troops are advancing and bypassing the Ukrainian defense line. The Ukrainian military is attempting to slow the Russian advance by deploying small assault groups. In the Verkhnia Tersa area, Russian troops have captured territory near the settlement again and continue to fight successfully within and around the village. To the south, Ukrainian units are counterattacking in the Huliaipilske area. To the north, they are doing the same.
Meanwhile, Russian units are striking Vozdvizhevka with air and artillery. Ukrainian activity is not decreasing, but reports of Russian unit successes are coming in. Along almost the entire Zaporizhzhia front, Ukrainian troops are actively defending and frequently counterattacking with small assault groups against armored vehicles and infantry. This slows the advance of Russian troops because the same tree lines and positions must be cleared multiple times, requiring effort and time to destroy individual groups in the relative rear.
New evidence from the western sector of the front indicates a deteriorating situation in Stepnohirsk and its surroundings, as well as in neighboring Prymorske. In the Lukianivske area, to the east, Ukrainian units have captured part of the defensive belt, which was the site of ongoing fighting for a long time. Only in Pavlivka is there a significant Russian presence, though it is currently under threat based on the configuration of the contact line.
Ukrainian units are advancing toward Stepove and Shcherbaky. If Ukrainian units break through to the outskirts of Kamianske, the loss of territories gained during the offensive in early 2025 in very heavy fighting will be confirmed.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slaviansk, the situation has not changed significantly. The Dibrova area currently resembles disputed territory. According to the latest footage, Ukrainian units periodically captured the area. The situation in Zarichne is mixed: part of the settlement is under the control of Russian units and part is in the “grey zone.”
The wooded areas around Stavky, Myrne, Zarichne, and Yampil make it difficult to determine a stable front line. To the west and northwest of Yampil, the situation appears more stable. The main problem remains in the east and northeast of Krasnyi Lyman. This large area is not fully controlled, so the situation there remains complex. Ukrainian units continue to actively use long-range drones. They are primarily targeting Russian positions in the Torske and Chervona Dibrova areas.
The Rubizhne–Varvarivka highway and the surrounding areas, including Rubizhne, Starokrasnianka, Svatove, and Kreminna, are under significant pressure. Frontline settlements, such as Kreminna, Starokrasnianka, and Lysychansk, are also regularly attacked. Russian units are working on temporary crossings and engineering passages, including in the Raihorodok area.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops are advancing despite Ukrainian forces’ active defense and frequent counterattacks with small assault groups. However, the situation in Stepnohirsk and Prymorske is concerning. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops have captured Volokhivka and are establishing a bridgehead to the south of the Vovcha River. They are gradually expanding their control zone while facing Ukrainian reserves transferred from the Kupyansk area. In the Sumy area, Russian troops are advancing into Zapsillia and Riasne, putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses. In the Slaviansk area, the front line remains complex and fragmented with extensive “grey zones” where neither side has stable control. The main confrontations are conducted using drones and strikes on logistics.
An important event in the international political context was a statement by the Group of Seven countries. The finance ministers and central bank governors of the G7 countries called on Ukraine to implement reforms aimed at combating corruption, establishing the rule of law, and addressing the shadow economy. A meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors had previously taken place in Paris. The statement emphasizes the need for Ukraine to make steady progress in implementing the reform program. The statement was released amid reports from Ukraine’s Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office that the former head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, had been charged with money laundering during the construction of luxury housing. Subsequently, the High Anti-Corruption Court remanded Yermak in custody pending trial, though he was granted the option of posting bail. Thus, international partners continue to tie financial support for Kyiv to progress in anti-corruption reform, creating additional conditions for receiving promised aid.
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