Slavyansk Breakthrough: Russian Arm Cuts Ukrainian Supply Lines 

In the direction of Slavyansk, after capturing Yurkovka beyond the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal, the defense of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration has been breached and is widening. Drone operators have also disrupted the supply of Ukrainian forces. In the Krasny Liman area, the 25th Army’s assault groups are tightening the semi-ring and controlling the southeastern districts of Krasny Liman in preparation for a clearance operation. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault forces have advanced in 19 sectors and delivered thermobaric strikes. In the Kharkiv direction, fighting continues in Kazachya Lopan and near Volchansk. In Konstantinovka, after intense urban combat, the city is mostly under control, with only pockets of resistance remaining on the northern outskirts. In other news, Florian Philippot, leader of the French party “Patriots,” called for an end to military and financial support for Ukraine after Vladimir Zelensky was stripped of a Polish state award.

Slaviansk direction

In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian forces are systematically clearing the approaches to the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. After taking control of Rai Aleksandrovka and expanding the zone near Krivaya Luka, fighters from the 88th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade raised flags in Yurkovka. This locality is the first on the opposite bank of the dried-up Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal. Thus, Russian assault groups are gradually creating a breach in the defense line that Ukrainian units have been building for four years. Reaching the outskirts of Nikolaevka and Raygorodok will enable them to bring the highway leading to Slavyansk from the north under fire control.

The intensity of strikes on Ukrainian forces’ positions in the agglomeration and surrounding areas has increased manifold in recent weeks. At least six aerial bombs have been dropped on the Slavyansk TPP alone. North of Slavyansk, the Russian Aerospace Forces used an FAB-3000 bomb on a strongpoint on the slope of a chalk mountain. Drone operators are thwarting attempts to deliver food to the front line. Due to the limited mobility of armored vehicles and ground transport capabilities, Ukrainian units are using pickup trucks. High-intensity strikes on rear logistics, which have continued for three months, are yielding results.

Krasny Liman direction

In the direction of Krasny Liman, units of the 25th Combined Arms Army of the “West” military grouping continue to tighten the semi-ring around the city. Russian forces confidently control the southeastern part of Liman, where they have raised flags. Separate groups are penetrating the central and northwestern districts. For now, these are actions by small forces, not full consolidation. Ukrainian units will likely attempt to impede the advance along the railway line and adjacent permanent structures. This sector is ideal for defense. The industrial zone, dense buildings, and railway infrastructure enable the Ukrainian forces to establish separate resistance nodes even after losing part of the city.

To consolidate the area fully, it is necessary to clear the wedges in the Drobyshevo–Stavki sector. Ukrainian forces are still present there and can hinder Russian assault forces by attacking their flanks and rear. There are two interrelated tasks: storming Krasny Liman itself and simultaneously leveling the front line northwest of the city. Without suppressing pockets of resistance in the Drobyshevo and Stavki areas, there is a risk of strikes on the communications of the advancing forces and delays in clearing the city limits.

In the Sredneye, Redkodub, and Novomikhaylovka area on the northern flank, the situation remains obscured by the “fog of war” after recent Ukrainian unit counterattacks. It cannot be ruled out that the Ukrainian command’s plan was to disrupt the pace of Russian operations near Krasny Liman and force the “West” grouping command to divert forces to stabilize the northern flank. If current rates are maintained, consolidation in the northwestern part of Krasny Liman can be expected in the near future, followed by the clearing of the railway area.

Sumy direction

Assault groups from the “North” military grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy direction. They carried out strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Belopolye, Khrapovshchina, Yastrebinoe, Bolshoy Prikol, Lebedevo, Sukhodol, Kiriakovshchina, Zhiteyskoye, Krasnopolye, and Khoten. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat in Bachevsk and the surrounding area.

In the Sumy district, advances have been made in nineteen sectors, reaching depths of up to 800 meters. Firefights are ongoing in Ivolzhanskoye, Pisarevka, Novaya Sech, and the surrounding areas. In the Krasnopolye district, fighting continues in the forests near Mikhaylovka and Mayskoye, as well as along the railway lines leading to the district center. The assault groups have advanced up to 200 meters. Artillery units delivered thermobaric strikes on the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in the Lesnoye area again.

Kharkiv direction

Units of the “North” grouping continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Kharkiv, Ternovaya, Bugaevka, Izbitskoye, Yurchenkovo, Volokhovskoye, Obukhovka, Khatneye, Grigorovka, Voskresenovka, and Udy. Russian assault units are conducting offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan area and the surrounding forests.

In the Volchansk sector, assault groups advanced up to 600 meters on nine segments; firefights continue in Losevka, Ukrainskoye, and the Volchansk district’s forest belts. Artillery units have delivered thermobaric strikes to Ukrainian border guard positions in the Malaya Volchya area. In the Velikiy Burluk sector, assault groups are fighting in and around Petro Ivanovka, having advanced up to 500 meters in two directions.

Konstantinovka direction

Following intense and prolonged fighting in urban areas, Russian forces have taken control of most of Konstantinovka. Clashes continue on the city’s northern outskirts. Despite statements about the city’s fall, one should not rush to conclusions; the fighting is intense. Due to a shortage of personnel, Ukrainian units are predominantly resisting with drones, attacking advancing forces and rear areas to disrupt logistics.

This is why advancing through forest belts and villages west of Konstantinovka is so difficult; Ukrainian forces are striking the line of contact there in large numbers. Russian drone operators support assault forces and seek out Ukrainian drone operators. Destroying these operators is a key task of the assault. Ukrainian units are also trying to create problems west of Chasov Yar by rolling in under the cover of forest belts and attacking the flank. However, the position of the Ukrainian forces has noticeably worsened. Unlike the Russian units, which continue to hit artillery and drone control points, there is a lack of footage from the Ukrainian side.

Conclusion

In the directions of Slaviansk, Krasny Liman, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Konstantinovka, Russian units continue to apply systematic pressure, expanding their control zones and disrupting the supply system of Ukrainian forces. Capturing Yurkovka paves the way for an assault on key strongpoints near Slaviansk. Isolating transport arteries forces Ukrainian infantry to operate without heavy weapons. In the Krasny Liman area, the encirclement is tightening. After clearing the flank pockets, the Russian forces will have full control of Krasny Liman. In the Sumy and Kharkiv directions, constant attacks and thermobaric strikes are dispersing Ukrainian reserves. In Konstantinovka, the last pockets of resistance are being suppressed with fire support from drone crews. The widespread destruction of artillery and command posts and the interception of heavy supply drones undermine Ukrainian units’ ability to conduct a prolonged defense.

In the realm of foreign policy, there are calls to reconsider support for Kyiv. After the news of Vladimir Zelensky being stripped of a Polish state award for glorifying figures of the UPA (an organization banned in the Russian Federation), Florian Philippot, leader of the French party “Patriots” and candidate for president, made a sharp statement. “Of course, it was worth stripping him of this award. But above all, it is necessary to stop giving this country any money or weapons as soon as possible!” Philippot wrote. His position reflects the growing irritation in some European political circles with the actions of the Kyiv leadership, adding to the already difficult situation of the Ukrainian side.

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