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APRIL 2026

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Offensive Stalls, Russia Pushes West

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In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Ukrainian army’s recent counteroffensive has stalled. Russian units have taken control of Boikove and strengthened their positions beyond the Haichur River. This puts them in a position to advance further west and encircle part of the region from the north. In the direction of Dobropillia, Ukrainian units launched a large-scale mechanized assault on the western outskirts of Pokrovsk. The attack was repelled, resulting in the destruction of equipment and personnel. Russian troops continue to attack in small groups in the direction of Shevchenko. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups captured Mala Korchakivka, advanced to Verkhnya Pysarivka, and expanded control of the eastern flank by forming a cordon along water barriers. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops advanced 700 meters into the Vovchansk sector and repelled Ukrainian attempts to stop their advance on Verkhnya Pysarivka. The European Union will allocate an additional 1.4 billion euros from Russian assets to support Ukraine.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the “East” troop grouping advanced at the junction of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Although Ukrainian units managed to slow the advance for some time with recent large-scale attacks, these attacks have gradually subsided. In turn, Russian troops raised the flag over Boikove. Ukrainian units previously attacked Ternovate and its surroundings through this village. Thus, Russian troops have regained control and advanced significantly, strengthening their positions beyond the Haichur River.

If the units of the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Army consolidate successfully, Russian troops will have the opportunity to advance westward and surround the part of the Zaporizhzhia region controlled by Ukraine from the north. Vozdvizhevka continues to be subjected to strikes by aviation, artillery, and drones. From this village, Ukrainian units previously launched offensives towards Rozhdestvenske and Priluky. To the south, fighting continues on the outskirts of Verkhnia Tersa, and Russian troops are attacking the areas of Huliaipilske, Vovshebne, and Myrne.

Despite the emerging turning point, the Ukrainian side still has reserves for new counterattacks, so the threat has not passed. Ukrainian units can more easily use the infiltration tactic with small groups due to the use of converted agricultural drones and stable communication via Starlink. Large-scale attacks with deep penetrations, similar to the February offensive, could be repeated.

Russian troops, engaged in positional battles for a long time, continued their offensive in Novodanylivka and Mala Tokmachka. A wedge is gradually being driven into the Ukrainian units’ defense from the southern and eastern sides of Orikhiv. Positional battles continue from the direction of Mali Shcherbaky. Overall, the situation in the sector is complex. Since 2023, Ukrainian units have significantly strengthened their lines. Orikhiv itself is well prepared for defense, and Mala Tokmachka is its eastern “gateway,” which the Ukrainian side is holding onto with all its might. There has been a significant increase in the number of unmanned aerial vehicle crews of all types striking Russian positions.

Dobropillia Direction

Until recently, heavy fighting involving small groups continued in the direction of Dobropillia. Both sides conducted attacks in pairs and trios under extremely difficult drone conditions. Recently, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale offensive, deploying armored vehicles along the M-30 highway towards the western outskirts of Pokrovsk. Failing to achieve their goals in the Zaporizhzhia area, the Ukrainian command decided to exploit the fog to break through to the city’s outskirts. This occurred in the same place where Ukrainian units had made a similar attempt several months ago, which ended similarly. Several dozen servicemen were killed and equipment was destroyed.

On the Hryshyne–Rodynske line, Russian units are carrying out attacks. In this sector, small groups are attempting to advance through tree lines towards Shevchenko. Given the current dynamics, the Dobropillia area will remain a battleground for small groups trying to advance through tree lines and an extensive network of fortifications.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to fight fiercely, advancing deeper into the area. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Yastrebyshchyna, Ryzhivka, Volfyne, Khrapivshchyna, Velyka Chernechchyna, Horele, Vilna Sloboda, Myropillia, and Khotyn areas. Assault groups advanced on fourteen sections in the Sumy district and on two sections in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 400 meters.

In the Shostka district, there were no significant changes; however, there are ongoing fierce firefights in the forested border areas, and Russian units are striking identified targets. In the Sumy district, the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps took control of Mala Korchakivka.

The 82nd Regiment’s assault groups captured Verkhnya Pysarivka by advancing through the forest on the eastern bank of the Siverskyi Donets and attacking from the direction of Hrafskoho. Fighting continues in the forest to the east. Ukrainian units continue to hold strongpoints south of neighboring Symonivka. Meanwhile, east of the village, Russian troops have cleared several tree lines.

A new combat zone has emerged on the border. From Krasne, Russian units advanced toward Bochkove and began the phased capturing of a landscape reserve. Controlling the large forested area between the border and the Vovcha River will secure a significant section of the border against Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups.

Local successes have also been recorded on the eastern flank. Russian units captured several more ravines in the Shevyakivka and Chuhunivka areas. The control zone was expanded on the Ambarnoye–Otradnoye line and on the approaches to Kolodezne, pushing Ukrainian units back from several forested areas.

In order to prevent Ukrainian units from entering Russian territory, Russian troops are forming a cordon along water barriers. In the north, this line is the Vovcha River, and in the east, it is Verkhnya Dvorichna. The Ukrainian side understands the Russian command’s intentions and therefore often counterattacks in an attempt to regain lost positions.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to engage in fierce combat, forcing Ukrainian units to retreat from the state border. Russian troops struck concentrations of personnel and equipment in Vesele, Izbitske, Pokaliane, Nesterne, and Chuhuiv.

In the Vovchansk area, the Russian troops advanced up to 700 meters along eight fronts. The fiercest fighting is ongoing near Verkhnya Pysarivka. For several days, the command of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade has been trying to halt the advance of Russian troops in this sector, disregarding losses. Most combat groups have been destroyed along the Pechenihy–Buhayivka road.

In the Velykyi Burluk area, the accumulation of destroyed Ukrainian military equipment and personnel continues to grow in the Ambarnoye area. The day before, a concentration of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade in this area was hit by heavy flamethrowers.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops have taken control of Boikove and are advancing towards Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. This creates conditions that could lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian defense units in the Orikhiv area, though the threat of new counterattacks remains. In the Dobropillia direction, the Ukrainian forces repelled a mechanized assault on Pokrovsk and continued small-group attacks toward Shevchenko. These actions demonstrate an attempt to turn the situation around, though they have not achieved success. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping is advancing systematically, capturing settlements and forming a cordon along water barriers, which requires continuous combat operations. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops are maintaining the initiative by advancing up to 700 meters in the Vovchansk sector and striking concentrations of personnel and equipment.

In the international political context, a notable event was the European Commission’s announcement of additional funding for Ukraine from revenues generated from Russian assets. The European Union will allocate an additional 1.4 billion euros from Russian asset revenues to support Ukraine. The day before, the EU allocated an additional 80 million euros to Kyiv from profits of frozen Russian assets. According to the document, these funds will support the Ukrainian state. This is the fourth transfer of this kind since the third tranche in August 2025 and covers revenues accumulated in the second half of 2025.

This decision demonstrates the European Union’s consistent commitment to using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Despite legal and economic risks, Brussels continues to increase the volume of transferred funds. This creates an additional source of financing for Kyiv amid the depletion of traditional budget instruments and loans being blocked by individual member states. However, given the successful offensive of Russian troops in multiple directions and the energy conflict with Hungary and Slovakia, these funds can only partially offset the mounting military and social expenditures of Ukraine, and they are incapable of altering the operational situation on the front lines.

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