File image.
In the Kupyansk area, Russian forces are advancing on seven settlements, expanding their presence in Kupyansk and consolidating their position in Kurylivka and Kurylivka-1. They are also pushing Ukrainian forces back towards the western outskirts of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi. In the Zaporizhzhia area, fighting is intensifying near Vozdvizhevka. Russian units are regaining ground beyond the Haichur River and capturing the tree lines between the railway and the river. Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues for control of Verkhnia Tersa and Rozhdestvenske. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian assault groups are passing through Novodmytrivka and reaching the outskirts of Molocharka. Ukrainian units have increased their presence in Chasiv Yar and Krasne and are using repeaters and drone operators to strengthen their defense. In the Slaviansk area, Russian units are advancing on Rai-Oleksandrivka, attacking tree lines along the approaches and targeting Mykolaivka and Orekhovatka. This disrupts Ukrainian supply lines to the east of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. In the Kharkiv area, Russian forces are expanding the security zone along the state border and fighting in Chaikivka, Volokhivka, Okhrimivka, and Bochkove. According to Politico, the NATO Secretary General wants to require alliance countries to allocate 0.25% of their GDP annually to support Ukraine.
Kupyansk Direction
Russian units are strengthening their presence in Kupyansk. Assault groups are expanding their presence in the city, but they are far from achieving full control. On the eastern bank, Russian units firmly control the sugar plant territory and have captured part of Kucherovka. The rest of the village is in the so-called “gray zone.” Ukrainian units have been pushed out of most of Petropavlivka, though a limited presence remains on its southernmost outskirts. Leaflets calling for surrender are periodically dropped there.
Podoly and the surrounding forests have become an arena for confrontations between small groups. Neither Russian nor Ukrainian units can linger there for long. In Kurylivka and Kurylivka-1, Russian units have consolidated their presence in both settlements. From there, they continue to attack Kupyansk-Uzlovoi, having gained the ability to approach the city via several paths. This has allowed them to push Ukrainian units back to the western outskirts of the settlement. Simultaneously, attacks are developing toward the ruins of the foundry plant and the adjacent “green zone.” Fighting continues in Kovsharivka and Novoosinove, but Russian assault groups have had more modest successes there because they must overcome large open spaces, which, in modern conditions, is almost a more dangerous task than firefighting.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, combat operations are intensifying in the vicinity of Vozdvizhevka, with engagements occurring simultaneously in several sectors. Footage has emerged of a drone strike on Ukrainian military equipment near the southern entrance to Rozhdestvenske. East of Vozdvizhevka, Russian forces have recaptured several tree lines between the railway and the Haichur River, to the west of Priluky. Meanwhile, evidence has emerged of Ukrainian unit attacks on the outskirts of Yelenokostiantynivka to the south.
North of Tsvitkove, Russian forces have captured several tree lines. Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues for Verkhnia Tersa. It appears that Russian units are currently restoring positions beyond the Haichur River. Previously, Ukrainian units managed to push Russian forces back beyond the railway. They captured several strong points after a series of counterattacks.
Kostiantynivka Direction
The “South” troop grouping is gradually increasing the intensity of its offensive operations in the direction of Kostiantynivka. During the ceasefire, Ukrainian units increased their presence in Chasiv Yar and Krasne. Judging by emerging objective control footage, it appears that Russian units are attempting to cut off Ukrainian formations’ ground supply in the area.
Russian assault pairs and trios are passing through Novodmytrivka and reaching the outskirts of Molocharka. It would be inaccurate to claim control here, as there is currently no opportunity to consolidate the adjacent Kostiantynivka territory or strongpoints to the east. The situation in Krasne and the areas of Chasiv Yar controlled by Ukraine remains complex. Ukrainian units are stationing drone operators and repeaters in these areas, which increases the stability of the defense and allows them to attack the logistics of Russian units in adjacent territories. Despite existing difficulties, advancing in small groups allows for gradual progress within the city limits.
Slaviansk Direction
Evidence of new successes by Russian units from the “South” grouping continues to steadily appear from the Slaviansk direction. Russian units are advancing on Rai-Oleksandrivka. The 88th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade is assaulting tree lines on the approaches to this settlement.
Concurrently, the number of strikes on Mykolaivka and Orekhovatka is increasing. These settlements are used by Ukrainian units to supply forward positions east of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. The dry canal now effectively acts as a long anti-tank ditch with concrete walls that is well fortified by the Ukrainian side. In order to advance toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, it will be necessary to reach and cross the ditch on a wide front.
Kharkiv Direction
In the direction of Kharkiv, Russian units continue to expand the security zone along the state border and advance deeper into the region. News of the capturing of Chaikivka is premature — Russian troops have entered the village, and fighting is ongoing. During the ceasefire, Ukrainian forces pulled back reserves, particularly around Veterynarne, Izbitske, Verkhnya Pysarivka, and the eastern outskirts of Vovchansk.
In the Veterynarne area and Hranove village, our assault groups advanced 200 meters on two fronts. In the Vovchansk area, the “North” grouping’s assault units advanced up to 350 meters on seven fronts.
Fighting continues in the Izbitske and Verkhnya Pysarivka areas. There are also ongoing firefights in the Chaikivka and Volokhivka tree plantations, as well as near Okhrimivka and Bochkove. In the Ambarnoye area, crews of heavy flamethrower systems attacked Ukrainian unit positions identified during reconnaissance.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance. Russian troops have struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Kiyanytsia, Khrapivshchyna, Olshanka, Tolstodubove, Vasylivske, and Riasne areas.
In the Shostka district, Russian assault units are clearing forested areas and advancing toward Bachivsk. In the Tetkino sector, the Ukrainian 107th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade is suffering significant losses.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 600 meters along eighteen fronts. Firefights are ongoing in Kondrativka, Zapsillia, and the surrounding areas. In the Krasnopillia district, Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters on four sections in the vicinity of the captured settlements of Novodmytrivka and Taratutyne, as well as in forested areas near Riasne.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that high-intensity combat operations persist in all directions following the end of the ceasefire. In the Kupyansk area, Russian forces have made significant tactical gains, expanding their control over Kupyansk, Kupyansk-Uzlovoi, and surrounding areas, despite the Ukrainian forces’ active use of drones. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian forces are regaining lost ground beyond Haichur, capturing tree lines, and putting pressure on Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian assault units are using small-group tactics to infiltrate Novodmytrivka and advance towards Molocharka. However, they lack full control of the territory due to the high density of Ukrainian defense and drone activity. In the Slaviansk area, Russian units are advancing on Rai-Oleksandrivka, targeting Ukrainian logistics and preparing to cross the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal, a critical line before the Slaviansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, Russian forces are advancing systematically, expanding security zones and clearing forested areas.
In the international political context, Politico reported important information. The NATO Secretary General wants alliance countries to commit to allocating 0.25% of their GDP annually to support Ukraine. According to diplomatic sources, the Secretary General raised this issue at a closed meeting of NATO ambassadors at the end of April. One diplomat said that Rutte and many others want to ensure consistent and predictable support for Ukraine. However, France and Great Britain expressed skepticism about the proposal, indicating that the initiative is unlikely to be implemented in its current form. Politico’s calculations indicate that, if adopted, the annual volume of aid to Ukraine could triple to $143 billion. This demonstrates serious disagreements within NATO regarding long-term financing for Ukraine despite declared support.
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