Russian Army Inches Closer To Slaviansk

In the direction of Dobropillia, Ukrainian units conducted counterattacks in Bilytske, restoring control over part of the settlement. Meanwhile, Russian units advanced south of Hryshyne and captured several strongpoints in tree lines near the railway and the M-30 highway. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups advanced 650 meters and repelled counterattacks. Meanwhile, the transfer of 155th Brigade units from the Pokrovsk direction to the sector was recorded. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops advanced 200 meters in the Vovchansk sector, destroying the 127th Brigade’s assault groups. They are also expanding their control zone south of Pokaliane and advancing toward Bilyi Kolodiaz. In the Slavyansk direction, Russian units have taken control of half of Kryva Luka; fighting continues for Rai-Oleksandrivka and the sector near the highway to Slavyansk. In the Krasny Liman direction, Russian troops are attempting to encircle Krasny Liman through forested areas towards Shchurove. In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian units have reduced activity, focusing on halting the advance of Russian troops in the Kupyansk-Uzlovoi area. They have lost two BM-21 “Grad” multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), one self-propelled artillery system, and up to three towed guns.

Dobropillia Direction

Fierce clashes continue in the direction of Dobropillia. Ukrainian forces have launched a series of counterattacks in Bilytske, regaining control of part of the settlement, though Russian troops remain on the eastern outskirts.

Meanwhile, evidence has emerged of Russian units advancing south of Hryshyne. Russian assault groups have taken control of several strongpoints in tree lines south of the railway and the M-30 highway. Ukrainian units had previously launched large-scale counterattacks in this sector, including armored vehicle breakthroughs to the outskirts of Pokrovsk. Strengthening Russian troop positions here will prevent the Ukrainian side from launching new counteroffensives. The approaching ceasefire on May 8–9 suggests the possibility of such counterattacks here and in other areas. Before then, the Ukrainian forces may attempt to advance and establish new defensive lines during the ceasefire.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Ulanovo, Kondrativka, Kiyanytsia, Velykyi Prikol, Zapsillia, Esman, Mala Rybytsia, Yasna Poliana, and Riasne.

There were no significant changes in the Shostka district. The “North” grouping’s artillerymen and drone operators struck previously identified Ukrainian unit targets. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 650 meters along fifteen fronts. Firefights continue in Kondrativka and the surrounding area.

In the Krasnopillia district, near the recently captured village of Novodmytrivka, Russian assault groups advanced up to 500 meters along three fronts. Publications about the “North” grouping capturing the village of Riasne are currently untrue.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv direction, units of the “North” grouping continue to clear nearby forests in the Veterynarne area.

In the Vovchansk area, the “North” grouping’s assault units advanced up to 200 meters along five fronts. Stubborn firefights are ongoing in the forested areas of the Vovchansk district and near Chaikivka.

Russian units are expanding their control zone to the south of Pokaliane by advancing through the adjacent forest and tree lines. South of Bochkove, fighting has begun in three settlements: Karaichne, Volokhivka, and Chaikivka. Simultaneously, fighting continues near Okhrimivka. The situation is deteriorating for Ukrainian units on the northern bank of the Vovcha River, as they are pinned between the river and the border. There, Russian units are pushing Ukrainian forces out of the border forests, causing them to lose position after position.

A local offensive by Russian units is underway in a 13-kilometer-wide sector, which, by current standards, is a notable attempt at advancement. Given that Ukrainian forces from Kupyansk have been transferred to the Burluk area, significant combat intensification and frequent counterattacks are expected. Further south, the offensive along the Siverskyi Donets from the direction of Verkhnya Pysarivka and Symonivka looks significantly more promising, and the Ukrainian side understands this, strengthening the defense near Buhayivka.

Slaviansk Direction

In the Kryva Luka direction on the Slavyansk front, fighting continues for control of the village, which Russian units have already partially seized. Kalenyky and Reznykivka have been cleared, and clashes are ongoing along the tree lines towards Rai-Oleksandrivka. The Ukrainian side’s main logistical route from Mykolaivka to the western part of Rai-Oleksandrivka is under fire from Russian units.

There have been no significant changes in the Nykyforivka area. Fighting continues in Fedorivka Druha and in the area between Lypivka and Nykyforivka. To the south, Russian units have expanded their control zone near the highway to Slovyansk, having captured the area east and southeast of Pryvollya. Fighting has already begun for the village itself.

In the Siversk sector, Russian units are conducting offensive operations in the Kalenyky and Kryva Luka areas. A significant part of the Kryva Luka territory is captured. On the approaches to Rai-Oleksandrivka, Russian units are advancing from Kalenyky, approaching the settlement from the east. On the southern flank, Ukrainian units are counterattacking in the Dibrova and Minkivka areas to contain the offensive’s development and stabilize the front line.

In the Krasnyi Lyman sector, Russian forces are attempting to encircle Krasnyi Lyman by advancing through forested areas toward Shchurove to bypass the city from the west. To the north, combat operations have been reported in the Pryshyb area, indicating an expansion of the zone of active clashes and pressure on adjacent sectors of the front.

Kupyansk Direction

In the Kupyansk direction, near Kutkivka, Ukrainian units continue to operate in small infantry groups. One of the Ukrainian side’s main goals remains complicating the logistics of Russian units in the Dvorichna area.

The situation on the Zakhidne–Tyshchenkivka–Velyka Shapkivka line has not changed significantly, except for an increase in Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance activity. In the Polamarivka area, specifically in the forested area south of the settlement, Russian assault detachments were previously noted to have destroyed two Ukrainian servicemen at their positions.

In Kupyansk itself, the situation remains manageable. Over the past week, Ukrainian units have reduced their activity in the Kupyansk area. They have focused on attempts to halt the advance of Russian units in the Kupyansk-Uzlovoi area. The Ukrainian side has increased the intensity of its artillery attacks on residential areas and the industrial zone of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi. This has resulted in the destruction of two BM-21 “Grad” multiple launch rocket systems, one self-propelled artillery system, and up to three towed artillery guns in recent days.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the direction of Dobropillia, Ukrainian units have not been able to completely push out Russian units despite counterattacks in Bilytske. The Russian units are strengthening their positions south of Hryshyne and threatening new counteroffensive attempts. In the Sumy direction, Russian forces are advancing steadily, depleting Ukrainian reserves transferred from other sectors and repurposing ambulances for military logistics. In the Kharkiv direction, the expansion of the control zone south of Pokaliane and the local offensive in a 13-kilometer-wide sector create prerequisites for further pressure. However, the extensive Ukrainian defense line in the Bilyi Kolodiaz–Prykolotne–Velykyi Burluk area is still holding back a breakthrough. In the Slaviansk direction, Russian troops are advancing closer to one of the key fortified areas before Slaviansk by capturing half of Kryva Luka and starting to fight for Rai-Oleksandrivka. In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian activity in Kupyansk itself has decreased, and efforts have shifted to the Kupyansk-Uzlovoi area. This has resulted in significant Ukrainian artillery losses.

An important event in the international political context was the U.S. State Department’s decision. The department approved the potential sale of extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) aerial bombs and related equipment to Ukraine through a foreign military sales program. The total cost of the deal is estimated at $373.6 million. According to the department’s statement, the sale will contribute to achieving U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. The statement emphasizes that Ukraine will have no difficulty integrating these weapons into its armed forces and that the proposed sale will not alter the region’s overall military balance. Despite the continued high intensity of combat operations and growing losses on the Ukrainian side, this decision demonstrates Washington’s continued commitment to providing military support to Kyiv.