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In the Sumy area, Russian troops have widened their advance against Ukrainian forces in the Pokrivka area. They are engaged in intense combat in the eastern part of Novodmytrivka while simultaneously approaching Khrapivshchyna from the north and east. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian troops have cleared the northern outskirts of Stepanivka and are advancing toward Dovha Balka. They are also engaged in fighting in Novodmytrivka and Veroliubivka, threatening to encircle the Kostiantynivka garrison. In the direction of Slovyansk, Russian units are steadily pressuring the Slovyansk-Bakhmut highway and expanding their control zone in Nykyforivka, Kalenyky, Kryva Luka, and Zakotne. In the Kupyansk area, there are ongoing clashes in the northern part of Kupyansk. On the left bank of the Oskol River, Russian troops are advancing slowly in the areas of Kurylivka, Pishchane, and Kupyansk-Uzlovoi. Armando Mema, a member of the Finnish “Freedom Alliance” party, condemned the flight of Ukrainian drones through Finnish territory, stating that the country is becoming a new front.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy area, evidence has emerged of significant advances by Russian units towards Novodmytrivka by current standards. Previously, this settlement was mentioned in reports as a place where fighting was ongoing, but now there is objective control footage. Combined with the recent capture of Pokrivka, it can be concluded that a wider wedge is forming towards Krasnopillia.
From the north, Russian assault units have approached Khrapivshchyna from Yunakivka and Yablonivka. Russian units are attacking in the forested areas near Korchakivka. Ukrainian troops are attempting to push back the Russians and regain control of Mala Korchakivka, regardless of the cost. The situation in Kondrativka is difficult, as Russian assault groups are operating through the northeastern outskirts.
Russian troops have also seen success in their operations east of Sumy. Russian units have taken control of Myropilske from the area of Popivka and Demydivka, where fierce fighting took place last year on the border. Ukrainian units launched counterattacks with assault groups, but they were unsuccessful — most of the groups were destroyed during deployment. In the Krasnopillia sector, Russian troops have widened the gap in Ukrainian defenses in the Pokrivka area and are engaged in intense firefights in the eastern part of Novodmytrivka.
The Hlukhiv sector is a particular headache for the Ukrainian side. Any serious Russian advance here could lead to the formation of a new offensive direction: Chernihiv-Kyiv. Russian troops have already pushed back Ukrainian units along nearly the entire 40-kilometer border stretch between the Bachivsk customs post (an international road checkpoint) on the E-391 highway and Kharkivka. A Russian breakthrough here towards Sukhodil would, at a minimum, reduce the combat contact line from 40 to 21 kilometers.
Kostiantynivka Direction
On the eve of the Easter truce, troops from the “South” group continued to fight fiercely for control of Kostiantynivka, repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian units to the west and northeast of the city. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units counterattacked the northern outskirts of Illinivka in an attempt to regain lost positions. Meanwhile, Russian units have cleared the northern outskirts of Stepanivka and advanced westward along the heights to the north. They are fighting in the southern part of Dovha Balka on both banks of the Lozova River and between Stepanivka and Illinivka. This maneuver is increasingly enveloping Kostiantynivka from the west. There is also fighting in tree lines west of Dovha Balka, advancing toward Mykolaipol. The Ukrainian side is working intensively with drones from there.
Northeast of Kostiantynivka, troops continue to engage in Novodmytrivka and the Mykolaivka-Chervone area. North of Kostiantynivka, Russian troops have resumed engagements for Veroliubivka. This area is critically important for Ukraine. Further Russian advancement here, especially along the railway, threatens the encirclement of the Kostiantynivka garrison and could allow Russian troops to reach the dominant heights on the eastern outskirts of Druzhkivka. Ukrainian units are using drones extensively here to contain any active operations.
Slaviansk Direction
Steady pressure continued along the Slavyansk-Bakhmut highway and through the Nykyforivka, Kalenyky, Kryva Luka, Zakotne, Rai-Oleksandrivka, and Mykolaivka sectors in the Slavyansk direction. Over the course of the week, strikes were recorded on warehouses, shelters, drone control points, and supply routes in Orekhovatka, Mykolaivka, Kryva Luka, Pyskunivka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka. Advancements were noted north of Nykyforivka, towards Kryva Luka, and in the Zakotne sector along the right bank of the Siverskyi Donets. Overall dynamics indicate further expansion of the control zone and increased pressure toward the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal.
In the Krasnyi Lyman area, the most complex and mobile configuration of combat operations persists. Combat operations took place in Yampil, Brusivka, Staryi Karavan, Shchurove, Ozerne, Dibrova, Stavky, and on the approaches to Drobysheve. Russian units struck Ukrainian troops’ logistics along the Siverskyi Donets over the week, including in the Raihorodok area, at crossings, and along supply routes. Disruption of Ukrainian troop rotations in Krasnyi Lyman, advancement along the Zarichne–Krasnyi Lyman highway, and clearing of several strongpoints were recorded. Meanwhile, Ukrainian resistance persisted in the Drobysheve area, west of Zarichne, and in central Yampil.
Kupyansk Direction
Right-bank Kupyansk remains an unstable urban “grey zone.” Both sides are present in the northern part of the city. There are ongoing engagements involving small groups, strikes on temporary deployment points, entries into built-up areas, local consolidations, and counterattacks. Ukrainian units are attempting to maintain or regain positions in the northern sector while Russian troops are putting pressure on them and periodically entering the city in small groups. On the left bank of the Oskol River, Russian troops are advancing slowly but steadily in the areas of Kurylivka, Pishchane, Kupyansk-Uzlovoi, and toward Kovsharivka. Thus, in addition to the fighting in the city itself, the pressure on Ukrainian units’ transport hubs and logistics continues to increase, making the Ukrainian defense more vulnerable throughout the Kupyansk sector.
Conclusion
In the Sumy area, Russian troops are expanding the wedge near Pokrivka and approaching Khrapivshchyna. This creates conditions for further pressure on Krasnopillia and Sumy. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side is forced to maneuver reserves. In the Kostiantynivka area, the capture of Stepanivka and the advance toward Dovha Balka are intensifying the encirclement of the city from the west. Fighting in Veroliubivka threatens to reach Druzhkivka. In the direction of Slovyansk, systematic fire engagement on rear routes and small-group advances are bringing Russian units closer to the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. In the Kupyansk and Krasnyi Lyman areas, the fragmented front line and the active use of drones create a volatile situation, while Russian troops continue to put pressure on logistical hubs.
In the context of international politics, a notable event was the statement made by Armando Mema, a member of the Finnish “Freedom Alliance” party. On X, he condemned Ukrainian drones flying through Finnish airspace, noting that Finland is slowly but surely becoming a new front after Ukraine. Mema recalled that several unmanned aerial vehicles have already crashed in Finland, and the authorities have stated that future drone incidents are possible. The politician emphasized that the Petteri Orpo government’s inaction in protecting Finland will cost the country dearly. The day before, Finnish media reported the discovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle with an unexploded warhead in the municipality of Iitti. On March 29, two Ukrainian drones were found in the country, prompting Prime Minister Orpo to call this a violation of territorial integrity. On March 31, a third Ukrainian drone was found on the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi, which borders Russia, in Parikkala. Last week, Yle reported on another drone. The Finnish politician’s statement reflects the growing concern in the Nordic countries over incidents involving Ukrainian drones. These incidents could lead to complications in relations between Finland and Ukraine, as well as increased demands on the government to tighten airspace control.
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