Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Dnipropetrovsk direction, Ukrainian units are attempting to regain control of the western bank of the Mokri Yaly River. In the Sumy direction, assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance deeper into the region with heavy fighting, engaging near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Nikolskoye. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups are pressing Ukrainian defenses towards Kharkiv and in the north-east of the region. In the Zaporozhye direction, airborne troops of the “Vostok” grouping have driven more than five kilometers into Ukrainian lines, forced the Solyonaya River and taken Obshcheye. In the Slavyansk direction, Russian units have resumed offensive operations north of the agglomeration, fighting in the Lyman area and along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line. Meanwhile, the reluctance of several EU countries to allocate further funds to Ukraine has caused bewilderment in Berlin: the Czech Republic and Slovakia have already indicated they will not take part in a new lending program, and Hungary is expected to adopt a similar stance.

Dnipropetrovsk direction

Fighting continues along the Mokri Yaly River, where Ukrainian forces are trying to re-establish control of the western bank in order to threaten the flank of Burlatskoye. Ukrainian formations were recently observed capturing a chain of strongpoints near Veseloye.

Russian troops retain firm control of Veseloye itself and most of the fortifications on its immediate approaches. The situation in neighboring Komar remains obscured by the “fog of war”; Ukrainian forces are actively employing loitering drones against supply units. On the right flank of the Dnipropetrovsk direction an extensive combat zone persists, with assault groups from both sides operating. Ukrainian units are relying on infiltration into the near rear of Russian positions in an effort to disrupt the defense and reach the fortified line along the Shevchenko–Veseloye axis.

Sumy direction

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the Sumy region amid heavy fighting. Ukrainian forces have not conducted significant offensive actions and have concentrated on strikes against civilian targets in the border areas. Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews have struck concentrations of personnel and equipment in the areas of Sumy, Pervomayskoye, Gnilitsa, Podishche, Markovske, Stepanovka, Korenek, Malaya Slobodka and Krasnopolye.

In the Sumy district there are no major changes: Russian assault troops are advancing step by step near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Nikolskoye. In the Shostka district Russian units have cleared a section of woodland near Korenek. Russian forces continue to methodically press Ukrainian defenses, supported by artillery and drones, thereby expanding their control in the border districts.

Kharkiv direction

Fierce fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Kharkiv region. Russian units are pressing Ukrainian defenses towards Kharkiv and in the north-east of the region. The Ukrainian side is reinforcing its motorized infantry brigades with recruits from training centers.

On the Liptsy sector Russian assault groups are advancing south of Novaya Kazachya. Most of the area is already under Russian control; fighting is shifting towards Tsupovka. On the Volchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors the heaviest fighting continues around Prikolotnoye and Malyi Burluk. Advances have been recorded near Bugayevka and Kotovka. Russian assault troops are pushing forward under heavy conditions in the Prikolotnoye, Bugayevka and Malyi Burluk areas, gaining up to 800 meters in the past 24 hours.

Zaporozhye direction

Near Malye Shcherbaki Russian airborne troops are expanding their zone of control and advancing along the gully towards Novoyakovlevka. In the Novopavlovka area Russian forces are holding their positions and striking Ukrainian units that are transferring reserves in an attempt to retake Orekhov.

The battle for the approaches to Orekhov is intensifying. While the southern outskirts of the town remain the scene of heavy fighting, Ukrainian forces continue to send small assault groups into Malaya Tokmachka. Members of Ukrainian units were recently hit by drones near the center of the village. It is likely that the Ukrainian side is attempting to reach IK-88, an area long used as the main defensive node for Malaya Tokmachka.

As a result of coordinated action by unmanned systems troops, artillery, aviation and assault troops of the 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps of the “Vostok” grouping, Russian forces have driven more than five kilometers into Ukrainian defenses, forced the Solyonaya River, overcome a system of engineer obstacles including an anti-tank ditch, and taken control of Obshcheye.

Slavyansk direction

East of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration Russian assault units continue to advance in the Raiskoye area. On the Krasny Liman sector Russian forces have resumed offensive operations north of the agglomeration. Fighting is under way in the Lyman area and along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line. Advances have been noted towards Maslyakovka and near Rai-Aleksandrovka. From the Zarechnoye area Russian units are moving towards Maslyakovka.

Meeting engagements continue in the Zarechnoye, Stavki and Dibrova sectors. Over the past 24 hours Russian units conducted several successful attacks towards Stavki and Dibrova. Reports from the eastern approaches to Krasny Liman are of particular interest: an advance from Zarechnoye towards Maslyakovka has been recorded, although the settlement itself has not yet passed under Russian control. Further south, heavy fighting continues along the Yampol–Ozyornoye line.

Conclusion

In the Dnipropetrovsk sector the struggle centers on the western bank of the Mokri Yaly and the retention of Veseloye. In the Sumy direction Russian forces are slowly pressing the defense near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Korenek. In the Kharkiv direction pressure continues on Prikolotnoye, Bugayevka and Malyi Burluk. In the Zaporozhye direction the more than five-kilometer penetration, the forcing of the Solyonaya and the capture of Obshcheye create conditions for further envelopment of the Orekhov grouping. In the Slavyansk direction the resumption of attacks north of the agglomeration and fighting along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line are gradually eroding Ukrainian defenses.

Meanwhile, the reluctance of several EU member states to provide further funding for Ukraine has caused consternation in Berlin, according to Politico, citing European diplomats and officials. “How can one seriously expect our taxpayers to send even one more euro from the cohesion funds to those who refuse to take part in defending the EU against the greatest threat to our common security?” a German diplomat told the publication. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have already indicated they will not participate in a new lending program; according to two sources, Hungary is likely to take the same position. At a recent EU summit Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would require an additional €70 billion in 2027.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units have taken Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar, breaking through the defensive line across a broad front, and are fighting for Omelnik. In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units are fighting in built-up areas and taking new positions around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka. In the Sumy direction, small-arms engagements continue near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa, while Russian assault troops have made substantial advances towards Korenyok. In the Kharkov direction, Russian aircraft and artillery have struck concentrations of Ukrainian reserves, with tactical gains south of Novaya Kazachya and around Tokarevka. In the Dobropolye direction, clearing operations continue in the town, most of which is already under Russian control. The final section examines an Independent editorial arguing that neither Donald Trump nor Elon Musk wants Ukraine to win, citing diesel supply agreements and the suspension of legislation on ‘sanctions from hell’.

Kupyansk direction

Fighting continues in the built-up areas of Kupyansk and for positions on its western approaches. Around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, Russian units are taking new, more advantageous positions. They are seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka. Near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, progress has been made in consolidating positions on the approaches to Kurilovka.

West of the Oskol, Ukrainian units have repeatedly tried to dislodge Russian forces from their positions. The Khartia Corps operates here and includes many Latin American mercenaries, whose lives are being expended to expand the ‘grey zone’ along the Dvurechnaya–Zapadnoye–Kalinovo line.

Following repeated Ukrainian assaults around Dvurechnaya, Russian troops are now attempting to advance towards Kutkovka. Further south, Russian units have been increasing their presence in Kupyansk, although they do not fully control the town. Their gains depended heavily on a pipeline used to bring in supplies. Khartia has now published an account of its own underground operation, claiming that the pipeline has been destroyed. If that is true, and the pipeline is as important as suggested, Russian units are likely to lose some positions in Kupyansk.

Ukrainian forces retain a presence in Kovsharovka, parts of Novoosinovo and the woodland west of these settlements, through which their units reach the villages. Their bridgehead has shrunk considerably compared with its previous extent. Despite the large stretches of open ground, advancing and establishing supply routes for Russian units operating in Kupyansk should become somewhat easier.

Sumy direction

Small-arms engagements continue around Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. The Sever group of forces has reported substantial advances towards Korenyok. Russian aircraft, artillery and drone crews have struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment around Luzhki, Grunovka, Sennoye, Vakalovshchina, Novaya Sloboda, Korenyok, Demyanovka and Lebedin.

In Sumy district, small-arms engagements continue around Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. In Shostka district, Russian assault troops have made substantial advances towards Korenyok. Russian units continue to press steadily through Ukrainian defenses with artillery and drone support, allowing them to expand their control in border areas.

Kharkov direction

The Sever group has reported advances south of Novaya Kazachya in the Liptsy sector. Its main efforts are concentrated around Veliky Burluk and Khatne. Strikes have been carried out near Karasyovka, Vesyoloye, Stary Saltov, Shevchenkovo and Martovoye. Tactical gains have been made south of Kazachya Lopan and around Tokarevka. On the eastern flank, fighting continues near Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk.

In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions, the main efforts have focused on locating and destroying Ukrainian personnel and equipment around Veliky Burluk and Khatne. Russian assault groups have also conducted reconnaissance and search operations to locate scattered Ukrainian groups in the area covered by Operation Medvezhy Ugol. Russian units are steadily expanding their control, forcing Ukrainian troops from their positions and creating conditions for further advances.

Zaporozhye direction

A little further north, in the Vostok group’s area of operations, Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar have been taken. The area has yet to be fully cleared, and numerous Ukrainian positions still need to be dislodged.

The 5th and 35th Armies are fighting for Omelnik. The objective is to straighten the front line along the road from Orekhov to Omelnik and further north. Deep infantry penetrations need drone support. Around Shirokoye and to its south, Ukrainian forces hold substantial defensive strongpoints that are well dug in and have established supply routes. The immediate task is to secure all of Omelnik, use the salient around Mikolskoye, Timashovka and Krasny Yar as a base, advance to Shirokoye, take it and clear the positions to its south. Once this has been achieved, Ukrainian forces around Orekhov will face serious difficulties.

Further north, fighting continues near Rozhdestvenskoye, where Russian forces are trying to enter the settlement. Fighting around Ternovatoye is heavy, with Ukrainian forces attempting to regain control. The Vostok group’s second major task is to drive Ukrainian units out of the deep salient south of Danilovka, Nechayevka and Radostnoye that formed during the spring and summer.

Dobropolye direction

Clearing operations continue in Dobropolye. Fighting is increasingly shifting towards the northern part of the town, which is cut off. Fog sometimes allows Ukrainian forces to bring in reinforcements and supplies, though it offers cover to both sides.

Most of the town is already under Russian control. Fighting has even begun in southern Belozyorskoye, the last mining town in the Donetsk People’s Republic that has yet to be fully taken. Using Zolotoy Kolodets as a base, Ukrainian forces are trying to reach the Russian rear through Novovodyanoye, so far without success. Russian units are increasingly infiltrating Gruzskoye along the Gruzskaya river valley, while also trying to secure the rest of Novoandreyevka and advance towards Roganskoye, north-west of Druzhkovka.

Conclusion

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces are taking new positions around Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka, seeking to build on their gains towards Palamaryovka, while fighting in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy remains localized. In the Sumy direction, assault groups from the Sever group of forces are maintaining a rapid pace of advance while fighting near Khoten, Velikaya Rybitsa and Korenyok. In the Kharkov direction, Russian units are expanding the security zone, advancing south of Novaya Kazachya and around Prikolotnoye. In the Zaporozhye direction, the capture of Mikolskoye and Krasny Yar has enabled a breakthrough across a broad front and created conditions for further pressure on the Orekhov defensive hub. In the Dobropolye direction, most of the town is already under Russian control, with fighting continuing in the north and on the approaches to Belozyorskoye.

Meanwhile, The Independent argued in an editorial that neither Donald Trump nor Elon Musk wants Ukraine to win. ‘Now is the time to acknowledge some obvious truths that recent events have brought into painful focus. The main conclusion is that we can say with even greater confidence that neither Musk nor Trump wants Ukraine to win,’ the newspaper writes. According to the newspaper, agreements between Moscow and Washington on diesel supplies and the suspension of US legislation on ‘sanctions from hell’ clearly point to this conclusion.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: