File image.
In the Dobropillia salient, units of the “Center” grouping concluded months-long battles for Novopavlivka and Pavlivka. They established control over Pavlivka, threatening Druzhkivka. Meanwhile, engagements continue in the areas of Vilne, Novyi Donbas, and Bilytske. In the Izyum direction, Russian troops carry out daily airstrikes on Ukrainian unit positions in Izyum, Krasnyi Oskol, and Kapitolivka. The evacuation of residents from nearby settlements has begun. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups advanced 200 meters and repelled Ukrainian attempts to organize counterattacks. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops have liberated Verkhnya Pysarivka and advanced up to 300 meters in the Vovchansk sector. They continue to destroy equipment in the Velykyi Burluk area. In the Krasnyi Lyman direction, the situation remains unchanged; Ukrainian units have launched counterattacks in Masliakovka, Yarova, and Svyatohirsk, and small assault groups have conducted operations within the urban areas of Krasnyi Lyman. Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, called the Ukrainian drone attack on the Turkish Stream a crude attack on Hungary’s sovereignty.
Dobropillia Salient
In the Dobropillia salient, units of the “Center” troop grouping are developing operations western of Kostiantynivka and advancing on the “Dobropillia salient.” In the 51st Army’s area of responsibility, fierce engagements for the villages of Novopavlivka and Pavlivka, located on the right bank of the Poltavka River, have concluded after several months. Russian units have established control over Pavlivka. This settlement is about 8.5 kilometers from Druzhkivka.
Advancement in this sector is significantly complicated by Ukrainian units’ active use of drones, as well as their control of the dominant heights on the left bank of the Kazennyi Torets River. Strongpoints of Ukrainian troops are located on these heights. Previously, Russian troops captured one of these strong points to the west of the southern part of Toretske, as well as Ukrainian positions on a height in the clay storage area.
West of Toretske, Russian troops are continuing combat operations in the area of the refractory and high-melting clay quarries on the heights. They are gradually pushing Ukrainian troops back toward Kucheriv Yar and the roads to Hruzke and Zolotyi Kolodiaz. There are ongoing engagements in the areas of Vilne, Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, and to the south, in the direction of Shevchenko. Russian troops advanced through tree lines south of the Vodyanyi Yar ravine.
North of Hryshyne, Russian troops have reached the Druhyi Yar and Tretii Yar ravines on the outskirts of Novooleksandrivka and are fighting for control of the settlement. In the zone of the 2nd Army, south of Hryshyne, units of the “Center” grouping continue to advance in the Serhiivka area, simultaneously entering the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Izyum Direction
In the direction of Izyum, Ukrainian units continue to accumulate forces in the areas surrounding Izyum, Kapitolivka, and Krasnyi Oskol. In Izyum, Ukrainian troops have taken up positions in residential areas on the outskirts of the city. The population is being evacuated from Studenok, Krasnyi Oskol, and Kapitolivka to Izyum, which may indicate a possible provocation similar to the events of 2022.
Russian troops are strengthening their lines and preparing defense positions to strike Ukrainian units in adjacent areas. They are working to identify and eliminate Ukrainian units’ drone control points concentrated in Krasnyi Oskol and Studenok. Strikes are being carried out along the Siverskyi Donets, as well as on the Slavyansk-Izyum highway and at the turnoff to Bohorodychne. Six to nine airstrikes are carried out daily on positions of Ukrainian units in Izyum, Krasnyi Oskol, and Kapitolivka.
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 Sukhodil, Myropillia, Pervomaiske, Mala Slobidka, Esman, Nova Sich, and Khotyn. Assault groups advanced in the Sumy district along fifteen fronts, advancing up to 200 meters over the day.
In the Shostka district, there were no significant changes; Russian units struck identified Ukrainian troop targets. In the Sumy district, the Ukrainian command is building defensive positions in the Nova Sich area and preparing personnel for further assaults. In the Krasnopillia district, intense fighting continues in the Novodmytrivka area.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Kharkiv direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to engage in fierce combat, pushing Ukrainian units back from the state border. Russian troops have attacked concentrations of personnel and equipment in Vesele, Ternova, Izbitske, Proletarske, and Pokaliane.
Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense crews struck a strongpoint of the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian units in the Ternova area with heavy flamethrower systems, resulting in significant personnel losses.
In the Vovchansk area, assault groups advanced up to 300 meters along six fronts. The 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Army pushed the Ukrainian 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade out of Verkhnya Pysarivka during fierce fighting and established control over the settlement.
In the Velykyi Burluk area, the accumulation of destroyed Ukrainian military equipment and personnel continues to grow in the Ambarnoye area. After losing a significant number of armored vehicles, the command of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade sent an assault group on foot toward Russian positions. The group was destroyed as a result of fire engagement.
Krasnyi Lyman Direction
In the Krasnyi Lyman direction, the situation remains predominantly positional. Ukrainian units continue to launch counterattacks and exploit terrain features to defend their positions.
The southern part of this area includes Yampil, Dibrova, and Ozerne. These sectors are characterized as a “grey zone.” Ukrainian units have been spotted again in the southern part of Yampil, and they are being targeted with drones. The sector remains an area of frequent fire engagements, and infiltrating groups are periodically targeted.
There has been an increase in activity in the areas of Staryi Karavan and Brusivka. Simultaneously, Russian units are advancing towards Raihorodok, aiming to impact the logistical routes of Ukrainian troops.
West of Torske, including the Penkovyi Yar area, Ukrainian forces maintain control. Other sectors are mixed zones with troops from both sides present. South and southeast of Stavky, Ukrainian unit positions and transitional sectors are present.
Currently, the Ukrainian side lacks a continuous defense line. Both sides have limited reserves, which increases the burden on the units involved. According to objective control footage in the Masliakovka area, Ukrainian units were noted to be counterattacking. These actions are localized and do not lead to changes in the operational situation.
In the Krasnyi Lyman area, actions continue within the urban development, including the Komunalnyi and Severnyi microdistricts. Small assault groups are being used, and infiltration actions are being recorded without transitioning to large-scale assault operations. In the northern sector, there have been attempts at counterattacks in the Yarova and Svyatohirsk areas from the Pryshyb and adjacent areas. Retaliatory fire is regularly engaged in the identified areas.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. On the Dobropillia salient, Russian troops have established control over Pavlivka and are advancing towards Druzhkivka. This threatens key logistical hubs of Ukrainian units. The Ukrainian side’s active use of drones complicates the Russian advance. In the Izyum direction, Russian troops are increasing airstrikes on Ukrainian troop concentrations while strengthening their own lines. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping is advancing systematically, while the Ukrainian command is attempting to use newly replenished assault units, including deserters and refuseniks. In the Kharkiv direction, the liberation of Verkhnya Pysarivka and the advance on the Vovchansk sector demonstrate Russian troops’ ability to achieve success along the border. In the Krasnyi Lyman direction, the situation remains static with sporadic counterattacks by Ukrainian units and the presence of small groups, but there is no continuous defense line.
An important event in the international political context was a statement by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó. Szijjártó called the Ukrainian drone attack on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline a crude attack on Hungary’s sovereignty. Szijjártó emphasized that attacks on energy security and the security of energy supply are considered attacks on sovereignty. He also said that Kyiv wants to impose a complete energy blockade on Hungary by shutting down the Druzhba pipeline. He noted that Hungary will defend itself and fight for access to cheap Russian oil and gas because otherwise, reductions in utility bills and the capped price of gasoline would end.
This statement indicates a further escalation of the energy conflict between Ukraine and Hungary. Budapest is already blocking EU loans for Ukraine and has suspended diesel fuel supplies; now, it is facing direct attacks on critical energy infrastructure. Kyiv’s alleged attempt to impose an energy blockade and attack facilities that supply Hungary with gas could lead to harsher retaliatory measures from Budapest. Against the backdrop of Russian troops’ successful offensive in multiple directions, such actions by Ukraine only intensify the rift within the European Union and undermine trust in Kyiv as a reliable partner. By consistently defending its national interests, Hungary gains additional arguments for blocking aid to Ukraine and opposing its European integration aspirations.
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