File image.
In the Sumy area, Russian troops have captured Taratutyne and Novodmytrivka. This has enabled Russian forces to stabilize the front line near the Ukrainian transport hub in this sector. They advanced up to 550 meters, fighting in Myropillia, Kondrativka and Korchakivka, and repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops have taken control of Ozerne and established fire dominance over part of the Siverskyi Donets River. However, there is still an extensive ‘grey zone’ in the surrounding forests where small groups of Ukrainian troops are operating. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups advanced 600 meters in the Vovchansk sector and 650 meters in the Velykyi Burluk sector, continuing to clear forested areas. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units have completely captured Illinivka and advanced in Dovha Balka. They are currently fighting in the eastern and western parts of Kostiantynivka. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions in order to conclude a peace agreement and join the European Union.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian troops are gradually taking control of the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets.
Units of the 25th Army have taken control of the Ozerne settlement and raised their flags there. Once they have consolidated their position in the area, Russian troops will be able to control the fire along a section of the river where Ukrainian troops had previously launched regular counterattacks toward Zakotne.
Fighting continues on the opposite bank of the river in Kryva Luka. Capturing Ozerne will simplify future combat operations in the area; however, the geography will not allow for complete consolidation. Full control will only be possible after clearing Ukrainian strongpoints located on the heights.
There is extremely heavy fighting on the approaches to Rai-Oleksandrivka, which serves as a cover for Slavyansk. The Ukrainian side has transferred additional drone units to the sector, which have taken up positions behind the village and on the slopes of the ravine. A zone of effective engagement has formed in the Reznykivka–Kalenyky–Pazeno–Rai-Oleksandrivka area, where Russian units only have small forested areas for cover. Ukrainian units are attempting to enter Reznykivka and Kalenyky with isolated groups. North of Kalenyky, almost up to Reznykivka, Ukrainian observation posts remain.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to fight fiercely, advancing deeper into the area. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the areas of Novoivanivka, Pavlivka, Kiyanytsia, Velykyi Prikol, Myropillia, Tolstodubove, Vilna Sloboda, Novodmytrivka, and Nova Sich.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on twenty-six fronts, advancing up to 400 meters over the day. Stubborn firefights continue in Myropillia. Over the past day, Russian servicemen pushed Ukrainian units out of 38 firing positions set up in Myropillia buildings.
In the Krasnopillia district, intense fighting continues in Taratutyne and Novodmytrivka, as well as in the surrounding areas. Russian units advanced up to 550 meters during the day. Capturing Novodmytrivka would allow Russian troops to straighten the front line near Krasnopillia, home to the Ukrainian sector’s main transport hub. As part of straightening the front line, it is likely that Russian units will soon attack Riasne, which is located to the south. The proximity to the border will enable assault groups to attack from two sides simultaneously and cut off Ukrainian units’ supply routes in the village.
Assault actions have resumed in the Kondrativka area. Russian troops have cleared the territory and reinforced the defense line near the village. However, no such actions had been undertaken in a long time, and only positional battles were fought. Currently, fighting is ongoing for the northern and eastern outskirts of the village. To the south, motorized rifle units are engaged in clashes for Korchakivka, with the main action taking place in the forested area northwest of the village. An offensive on Kondrativka would expand the control zone and eliminate the possibility of Ukrainian unit counterattacks in this salient, which is currently about 3 kilometers wide in the area of the road from Pisarivka. Once Russian units establish control over the section up to the Khotyn–Kondrativka road, they will cut off the Ukrainian side’s main logistical route.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Kharkiv region, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to engage in fierce combat, pushing Ukrainian forces back from the border. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Vesele, Varvarivka, Ukrainske, Polne, Prykolotne, Berezivske, Zolochiv, and Kozacha Lopan areas.
Russian assault groups are clearing forested areas in the Veterynarne area and have advanced up to 150 meters over the course of the day. In the Vovchansk area, the “North” grouping’s assault detachments advanced up to 600 meters along seven fronts. There are ongoing fierce firefights in Pokaliane, as well as in the direction of Shesterivka and the vicinity of Losevka. In the forested area of the Vovchansk district, Ukrainian forces attempted to counterattack twice with assault groups from the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade. These groups were destroyed as a result of fire engagement.
In the direction of Velykyi Burluk, Russian assault groups advanced up to 650 meters on four fronts. Intense fighting continues in Budarka and Zemlianky, as well as in the forested areas northwest of the Kupyansk district.
Kostiantynivka Direction
In the direction of Kostiantynivka, units of the “South” grouping are continuing to fight in Kostiantynivka and have advanced in the area. Russian units have completely taken control of the Illinivka settlement.
Fighting continues for Dovha Balka. On the right bank of the Lozova River, Russian assault groups have reached the river’s center. Russian units now control the tree lines between Stepanivka and Illinivka, as well as between Illinivka and Dovha Balka. Russian units have also reached Dovha Balka from the east. The eastern part of Dovha Balka is effectively surrounded on both sides up to the road to Kostiantynivka.
In western Kostiantynivka, Russian units advancing from the northern outskirts of Illinivka have reached the intersection of Levanevskoho and Hromova Streets in the private sector. They are fighting on the outskirts of the multi-story built-up area, which is being engaged by aviation, drones, and artillery.
In the southern part of Kostiantynivka, Russian units advanced from Berestok and Ivanopilila. Assault groups are advancing in the eastern part of Kostiantynivka, where Ukrainian defenses are concentrated. Russian units control the first three streets on the outskirts.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the direction of Slavyansk, the capturing of Ozerne and the advance on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets create conditions that allow for further pressure on Ukrainian units in Kryva Luka and on the approaches to Slavyansk. In the Sumy area, the capture of Taratutyne and the advance toward Novodmytrivka and Kondrativka bring Russian troops closer to severing the Ukrainian side’s key logistical routes. In the Kharkiv area, Russian units are expanding their control zones along the border. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, the complete capturing of Illinivka, as well as advances in Dovha Balka and the western part of Kostiantynivka, pose an encirclement threat to the city and could cut off supply routes for the Ukrainian forces.
In the context of international politics, a notable event was a statement made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. While speaking to students at a gymnasium in Marsberg, he said that Ukraine would need to make territorial concessions in order to conclude a peace agreement and join the European Union. Merz acknowledged that some Ukrainian territory would no longer be part of Ukraine and linked territorial concessions to Ukraine’s prospects of joining the EU. Merz suggested that Kyiv might need to hold a referendum on an agreement including territorial concessions. Afterwards, Volodymyr Zelensky could inform the Ukrainian people that he had paved the way for them to join Europe.
Russia has repeatedly stated its readiness for a negotiated solution to the Ukrainian crisis based on the understandings reached by the Russian and U.S. presidents at the Alaska summit. Earlier, Donald Trump expressed surprise at the unwillingness of the Kyiv regime’s leader to make a deal to resolve the conflict. Merz’s statement indicates a growing understanding in European capitals of the inevitability of territorial compromises to end the conflict.
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