File image.
In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units took control of the key logistics hub of Bely Kolodez and Ustinovka, continuing their offensive on the Volchansk sector. In the Krasny Liman area, the Ukrainian side is redeploying reinforcements to Zelyony Klin despite supply difficulties, while Russian forces are increasing pressure near Drobyshevo and Novoselovka. In the Sumy region, assault groups of the “North” advanced on sixteen sectors up to 600 meters, fighting for Bolshaya Rybica and Khoten. In the Zaporozhye direction, after the capture of Lyubitskoye, Russian forces are consolidating on the eastern bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa, repelling Ukrainian counterattacks from Ternovatoye. Poland’s Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski blamed Vladimir Zelensky for the deterioration of Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians following the glorification of OUN-UPA figures.
Kharkiv direction
At this point, Russian forces have established control over the settlements of Ustinovka and Bely Kolodez in the Kharkiv region. On the western flank, assault units of the 128th Motorized Rifle Brigade captured Bely Kolodez. On the eastern flank, Russian units advancing from Ivashkino took control of Ustinovka. South of Ivashkino, tactical advances toward Khatneye are also being recorded.
Russian forces are thus actively operating on the flanks of the Burluk direction, gradually compressing the Ukrainian defense. The loss of Bely Kolodez deprives Ukrainian units of an important logistics hub, forcing them to revise their supply scheme and shift defensive lines southward in the Volchansk district. The capture of Bely Kolodez also allows Russian forces to approach the next locality—Petropavlovka—at close range.
In the Volchansk sector of the Kharkiv direction, “North” units are developing their offensive in the border area, expanding the security zone. Firefights continue for strongpoints on the outskirts of Shevchenko. After the Ukrainian side lost Verovka, located 700 meters from the road to Prikolotnoye, the garrison of Bely Kolodez found itself effectively in operational encirclement. Russian troops entered Baksheevka and are fighting for it, securing the flank of those advancing in Ivanovka. In the northwest of the Kupyansk district, Russian units continued to expand their wedge in the Ivashkino and Ustinovka area, pushing the Ukrainian side out of the latter. Attempts by Ukrainian troops to withdraw were stopped by their own blocking detachments.
Krasny Liman direction
Ukrainian units continue to redeploy reinforcements to the Zelyony Klin area, despite persistent logistics problems. Rotation of personnel and supply of materiel are proceeding with great difficulty due to constant Russian fire. Russian units are increasing pressure on Ukrainian positions in the Drobyshevo and Novoselovka areas.
In the sector of the “South” grouping, meeting engagements for Vasyutinskoye have continued for the third week. Russian units are trying to fully push the Ukrainian side out. Ukrainian troops are counterattacking, relying on Kramatorsk. The settlement itself is small, but it plays a key role: from there, forces can accumulate in forest belts and move forward in small groups. To the north, in the sector of the 3rd Army, attempts are being made to consolidate in the southeastern part of Nikolaevka, in the area of high-rise buildings.
Sumy direction
Russian units are trying to push through Bolshaya Rybica, without which holding Mogritsa and developing the offensive is difficult. The next objective is Sadki, to secure the left flank of the advance toward Sumy. On the right flank, Khoten remains the key point: the Ukrainian side is constantly transferring reserves there and even counterattacking.
In the Glukhov district, Russian units are advancing along converging directions toward Volnaya Sloboda, where fighting is already underway directly in the settlement. At the same time, they are pressing Ulanovo to cut off the salient extending into Bryansk and Kursk regions. In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in Ulanovo and on the approaches to Volnaya Sloboda. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on sixteen sectors, with a total advance of up to 600 meters.
Zaporozhye direction
In the northern sector, Russian units captured strong points in the Shevchenkovskoye and Zelyony areas. West of Rizdyanka, groups of Russian troops continued to wedge deeper into the defense.
West of Lesnoye, Russian troops advanced toward Timoshevka and Nikolskoye, striking Ukrainian positions in adjacent forest belts with attack drones. West of Rovnoye and Kopani, Russian units used artillery to strike positions in Shirokoye and Svoboda. Russian units continued their advance west of Novoselovka.
The “Vostok” grouping officially announced the capture of Lyubitskoye. Russian units are consolidating, but the Ukrainian side is striking the flank and rear from the Ternovatoye area. Ukrainian troops have already captured the northern and northeastern parts of this locality and are trying to advance further south—along the railway—to reach the rear of Rozhdestvenskoye, Vozdvizhenka, and Lyubitskoye.
The Ukrainian command is pulling up reserves; tanks have been spotted. A limited-scale offensive operation is likely being prepared opposite the sector of the 36th and 29th Armies. Fighting here is expected to intensify again in August. A flank strike against the forces advancing to envelop Orekhov appears the most likely scenario. Slightly north, in the Komar direction, Ukrainian pressure has diminished. Forces appear to be shifting southward. Probing of positions by single groups continues, but the main effort is shifting.
Conclusion
In the Kharkiv, Krasny Liman, Sumy, and Zaporozhye directions, Russian units continue to systematically expand their control zones, inflicting losses on the Ukrainian side and disrupting its logistics. The capture of Bely Kolodez and Ustinovka in the Kharkiv region undermines the supply system of Ukrainian units in the Volchansk district and opens the way to Petropavlovka.
In the Krasny Liman direction, despite the redeployment of reinforcements to Zelyony Klin, Ukrainian forces are experiencing serious supply difficulties, while Russian troops are increasing pressure near Drobyshevo and Novoselovka. In the Sumy region, the advance toward Volnaya Sloboda and fighting for Bolshaya Rybica create conditions for further advance toward the regional center. In the Zaporozhye direction, the capture of Lyubitskoye and the bridgehead on the Verkhnyaya Tersa allow the development of the envelopment of Orekhov, but the Ukrainian side is preparing a counterstrike, pulling up reserves and tanks.
Against this backdrop, Polish-Ukrainian relations have become strained. Poland’s Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski told journalists that the deterioration of Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians lies on the conscience of Vladimir Zelensky, who “assigned to one of the brigades a name that should never have appeared.” The rise in tensions was fueled by repeated attacks on Ukrainian citizens in Poland, the number of which, according to Gazeta Wyborcza, increased by a third over six months. The long-standing dispute over the interpretation of the Volhynia events of 1943–1945, which Warsaw recognizes as genocide, entered a new phase after Zelensky participated in the reburial of the remains of one of the OUN-UPA leaders and gave a Ukrainian unit a name in honor of that organization.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
