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In the Sumy region, Russian troops have seized Riasne and are holding Myropillya. They are also fighting in Korchakivka and have repelled an attempt to cross the Psol River, as well as a counterattack near Myropillya. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian forces are increasing pressure in the Charivne region. They have consolidated their position on the farms southeast of Vozdvizhevka and increased their control over the Verkhnia Tersa and Horke regions. Ukrainian units transferred a battalion from the Pokrovsk sector to the area in an attempt to stabilize the situation. In the Slovyansk area, Russian forces are expanding their bridgehead towards Rai-Oleksandrivka and Zakotne after capturing Kryva Luka. They are conducting intense fighting for tree lines and strongpoints along the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. In the Kharkiv area, Ukrainian forces have deployed elite units, including the 77th Air Assault Brigade and the “R.U.G.” Regiment, to the Lyptsi sector, where they launched counterattacks that were repelled. The New York Times reports that the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump reduced financial and military aid to Ukraine by 99%.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the Charivne area of the Huliaipole sector in the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian units continue to slowly but systematically increase pressure. The settlement itself is gradually becoming a “grey zone,” and an unstable situation is also being recorded on adjacent flanks. South of Vozdvizhevka, Russian units advanced and consolidated their presence on the farms southeast of the settlement.
In the “Dnipro” sector, attacks by Ukrainian units near Stepnohirsk and Prymorske have begun to subside. Meanwhile, Russian units from the “East” grouping and the right flank of the “Dnipro” grouping are exerting pressure east of Orikhiv. Ukrainian units have already transferred a battalion of the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade there — a unit typically deployed to the most volatile regions. The transfer from the Pokrovsk direction indicates that the Ukrainian command considers the situation threatening.
Russian units are gradually encircling the village of Huliaipilske and advancing north of Lugovskoye toward Chudesne. If they are successful, they will advance near Verkhnia Tersa and Vozdvizhevka, opening the road to Novoselivka and bypassing Orikhiv. The Ukrainian side understands this and is transferring new reserves to the area. In the Verkhnia Tersa area, Russian units have expanded their control zone and consolidated their position in Horke, putting pressure on neighboring areas. Ukrainian units are conducting active operations to expand the “grey zone” towards Rivnopil.
Slaviansk Direction
Heavy fighting continues in Stepnohirsk in the Orikhiv sector of the Slavyansk area. Ukrainian forces are attempting to consolidate their position in the center of the settlement, yet the area remains highly unstable.
Following the capturing of Kryva Luka, Russian forces are advancing the bridgehead toward Rai-Oleksandrivka, Zakotne, and the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal line. The area from Kryva Luka to Nykyforivka and Fedorivka Druha is a zone of intense combat operations, with constant assaults and clashes over tree lines and strongpoints.
The main pressure is currently concentrated in the Rai-Oleksandrivka area. Russian assault groups are advancing gradually towards the settlement and expanding their control zone in the areas of Kalenyky, Reznykivka, and the western part of Zakotne.
Heavy fighting continues in the areas of Lypivka, Dibrova, and Nykyforivka. Concurrently, pressure is mounting along the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal, where Russian forces are attempting to strengthen their tactical position prior to advancing further. After consolidating in Kryva Luka, the Russian command is gradually creating conditions to exert further pressure on the northeastern approaches to the Slaviansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration.
Ukrainian units are conducting counterattacks and local sorties in the Dibrova area, but full consolidation has not yet been achieved. The Ukrainian presence northeast of Krasnyi Lyman persists near the road between Stavky and Zarichne. An extensive “grey zone” remains northwest of Krasnyi Lyman in the areas of Drobysheve, Yarova, and Svyatohirsk. Both sides use the wooded terrain for small-group actions and infiltration attempts along the Siverskyi Donets.
Kharkiv Direction
Fighting continues in the Vovchansk area to the east and southwest. Russian units have captured bridgeheads on the southern bank of the Vovcha River and are attempting to advance towards Bilyi Kolodiaz. Actions have also intensified southwest of the area, prompting the Ukrainian side to transfer reserves. Advancement is underway toward Staryi Saltiv on both sides of the Siverskyi Donets River.
In the Vovchansk area, Ukrainian units are focusing their efforts on fortifying the highway connecting Staryi Saltiv and Velykyi Burluk. In the Shesterivka area, a group of Ukrainian servicemen from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade attempted to leave their positions voluntarily. Two were killed by their own blocking detachments, three took cover in a forested area, and the rest returned to the strongpoint.
In the Velykyi Burluk area, in the forested regions west of Kolodezne, the movement of a group of Ukrainian soldiers who had voluntarily abandoned their positions was detected. This group has engaged in two firefights with former comrades at different Ukrainian unit observation posts.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy area, Russian units have taken control of the Riasne settlement in the Krasnopillia region. The front line is being straightened and the flanks are being secured. Despite attempts by the Ukrainian side to infiltrate, Myropillia remains under the control of Russian units. Clashes also continue in Korchakivka, which is north of Sumy.
In the Sumy district, Ukrainian units have repeatedly violated the ceasefire. In the Zapsillia area, a group of Ukrainian assault troops from the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade tried to cross the Psol River with the support of FPV drone crews. Several Ukrainian soldiers drowned, and the rest withdrew.
In the Krasnopillia district, Ukrainian troops attempted to counterattack Russian troops’ positions in the Myropilske area. After carrying out several indiscriminate mortar and artillery strikes, Ukrainian troops advanced an assault group from the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade towards Russian positions. As a result of the ensuing firefight, most of the Ukrainian troops were eliminated.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that high-intensity combat operations persist in all directions despite the ceasefire regime. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian forces are gradually expanding their control zones and putting pressure on Huliaipilske, Vozdvizhevka, and Verkhnia Tersa. The Ukrainian command’s transfer of a battalion from the Pokrovsk direction to another sector indicates the seriousness of the threat posed by Russian troops. In the Slaviansk area, the capturing of Kryva Luka and the advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal create the conditions for further pressure on the Slaviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. However, the presence of forested areas and complex terrain makes positional struggles likely. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops have captured bridgeheads on the southern bank of the Vovcha River and are advancing toward Bilyi Kolodiaz and Staryi Saltiv. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian command is transferring elite units in an attempt to stabilize the front. In the Sumy area, Russian troops have improved their tactical position by capturing Riasne and holding Myropillia, while Ukrainian counterattacks and attempts to cross water barriers have been unsuccessful.
In the context of international politics, an important event was a report by The New York Times. The newspaper said that the Trump administration had reduced financial and military aid to Ukraine by 99 percent amid the ongoing conflict. The article notes that Volodymyr Zelensky has begun to take reciprocal steps to distance himself from Washington, characterizing this as a “rehearsal for a breakup.” The cooling of relations was provoked by the escalation of the conflict between the United States and Iran. Previously, Trump had repeatedly expressed irritation over Zelensky’s unwillingness to reach an agreement to end the conflict. The newspaper also reports that American negotiators are planning a new visit to Russia as part of the Ukrainian settlement process. This demonstrates a radical change in Washington’s policy toward Kyiv. Against the backdrop of the Russian troops’ successful offensive, this could further complicate the situation for Ukraine and push it toward seeking negotiated solutions.
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