Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)
In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units have taken Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar, breaking through the defensive line across a broad front, and are fighting for Omelnik. In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units are fighting in built-up areas and taking new positions around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka. In the Sumy direction, small-arms engagements continue near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa, while Russian assault troops have made substantial advances towards Korenyok. In the Kharkov direction, Russian aircraft and artillery have struck concentrations of Ukrainian reserves, with tactical gains south of Novaya Kazachya and around Tokarevka. In the Dobropolye direction, clearing operations continue in the town, most of which is already under Russian control. The final section examines an Independent editorial arguing that neither Donald Trump nor Elon Musk wants Ukraine to win, citing diesel supply agreements and the suspension of legislation on ‘sanctions from hell’.
Kupyansk direction
Fighting continues in the built-up areas of Kupyansk and for positions on its western approaches. Around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, Russian units are taking new, more advantageous positions. They are seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka. Near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, progress has been made in consolidating positions on the approaches to Kurilovka.
West of the Oskol, Ukrainian units have repeatedly tried to dislodge Russian forces from their positions. The Khartia Corps operates here and includes many Latin American mercenaries, whose lives are being expended to expand the ‘grey zone’ along the Dvurechnaya–Zapadnoye–Kalinovo line.
Following repeated Ukrainian assaults around Dvurechnaya, Russian troops are now attempting to advance towards Kutkovka. Further south, Russian units have been increasing their presence in Kupyansk, although they do not fully control the town. Their gains depended heavily on a pipeline used to bring in supplies. Khartia has now published an account of its own underground operation, claiming that the pipeline has been destroyed. If that is true, and the pipeline is as important as suggested, Russian units are likely to lose some positions in Kupyansk.
Ukrainian forces retain a presence in Kovsharovka, parts of Novoosinovo and the woodland west of these settlements, through which their units reach the villages. Their bridgehead has shrunk considerably compared with its previous extent. Despite the large stretches of open ground, advancing and establishing supply routes for Russian units operating in Kupyansk should become somewhat easier.
Sumy direction
Small-arms engagements continue around Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. The Sever group of forces has reported substantial advances towards Korenyok. Russian aircraft, artillery and drone crews have struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment around Luzhki, Grunovka, Sennoye, Vakalovshchina, Novaya Sloboda, Korenyok, Demyanovka and Lebedin.
In Sumy district, small-arms engagements continue around Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. In Shostka district, Russian assault troops have made substantial advances towards Korenyok. Russian units continue to press steadily through Ukrainian defenses with artillery and drone support, allowing them to expand their control in border areas.
Kharkov direction
The Sever group has reported advances south of Novaya Kazachya in the Liptsy sector. Its main efforts are concentrated around Veliky Burluk and Khatne. Strikes have been carried out near Karasyovka, Vesyoloye, Stary Saltov, Shevchenkovo and Martovoye. Tactical gains have been made south of Kazachya Lopan and around Tokarevka. On the eastern flank, fighting continues near Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk.
In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions, the main efforts have focused on locating and destroying Ukrainian personnel and equipment around Veliky Burluk and Khatne. Russian assault groups have also conducted reconnaissance and search operations to locate scattered Ukrainian groups in the area covered by Operation Medvezhy Ugol. Russian units are steadily expanding their control, forcing Ukrainian troops from their positions and creating conditions for further advances.
Zaporozhye direction
A little further north, in the Vostok group’s area of operations, Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar have been taken. The area has yet to be fully cleared, and numerous Ukrainian positions still need to be dislodged.
The 5th and 35th Armies are fighting for Omelnik. The objective is to straighten the front line along the road from Orekhov to Omelnik and further north. Deep infantry penetrations need drone support. Around Shirokoye and to its south, Ukrainian forces hold substantial defensive strongpoints that are well dug in and have established supply routes. The immediate task is to secure all of Omelnik, use the salient around Mikolskoye, Timashovka and Krasny Yar as a base, advance to Shirokoye, take it and clear the positions to its south. Once this has been achieved, Ukrainian forces around Orekhov will face serious difficulties.
Further north, fighting continues near Rozhdestvenskoye, where Russian forces are trying to enter the settlement. Fighting around Ternovatoye is heavy, with Ukrainian forces attempting to regain control. The Vostok group’s second major task is to drive Ukrainian units out of the deep salient south of Danilovka, Nechayevka and Radostnoye that formed during the spring and summer.
Dobropolye direction
Clearing operations continue in Dobropolye. Fighting is increasingly shifting towards the northern part of the town, which is cut off. Fog sometimes allows Ukrainian forces to bring in reinforcements and supplies, though it offers cover to both sides.
Most of the town is already under Russian control. Fighting has even begun in southern Belozyorskoye, the last mining town in the Donetsk People’s Republic that has yet to be fully taken. Using Zolotoy Kolodets as a base, Ukrainian forces are trying to reach the Russian rear through Novovodyanoye, so far without success. Russian units are increasingly infiltrating Gruzskoye along the Gruzskaya river valley, while also trying to secure the rest of Novoandreyevka and advance towards Roganskoye, north-west of Druzhkovka.
Conclusion
In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces are taking new positions around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka, while fighting in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy remains localized. In the Sumy direction, assault groups from the Sever group of forces are maintaining a rapid pace of advance while fighting near Khoten, Velikaya Rybitsa and Korenyok. In the Kharkov direction, Russian units are expanding the security zone, advancing south of Novaya Kazachya and around Prikolotnoye. In the Zaporozhye direction, the capture of Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar has enabled a breakthrough across a broad front and created conditions for further pressure on the Orekhov defensive hub. In the Dobropolye direction, most of the town is already under Russian control, with fighting continuing in the north and on the approaches to Belozyorskoye.
Meanwhile, The Independent argued in an editorial that neither Donald Trump nor Elon Musk wants Ukraine to win. ‘Now is the time to acknowledge some obvious truths that recent events have brought into painful focus. The main conclusion is that we can say with even greater confidence that neither Musk nor Trump wants Ukraine to win,’ the newspaper writes. According to the newspaper, agreements between Moscow and Washington on diesel supplies and the suspension of US legislation on ‘sanctions from hell’ clearly point to this conclusion.
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