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.

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• On October 26, Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials met Iranian leaders in Tehran to discuss regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation;
• Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply, with five commodity vessels recorded on October 24 and none on October 25;
• During the past 24 hours, Iranian forces reportedly attacked several oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Amy Abbott)

Egypt’s parliament on October 26 authorized President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah.

The authorization, approved by a two-thirds majority following closed-door deliberations, allows Sisi to take necessary measures in coordination with Riyadh to defend Saudi territory, sovereignty and holy sites against external aggression.

A regional official briefed on the plans told The Associated Press that Egypt would provide air defense systems and warplanes to help intercept missiles and drones targeting Saudi Arabia. The official said the support would not include deploying ground troops to Yemen.

Sisi has repeatedly stressed that Cairo’s role would be strictly defensive, seeking to reassure Egyptians concerned that the country could become entangled in another regional war.

“I’m not speaking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. I’m speaking only for defense,” Sisi said earlier this month.

He also reiterated that Egypt’s military effort would focus on protecting Saudi territory and borders rather than conducting attacks on Yemen.

The limited scope of the proposed mission means Egypt’s decision is unlikely to significantly change the military balance inside Yemen.

Egyptian air defense systems and warplanes could help Riyadh withstand further missile and drone attacks, but the announced approach does not involve an Egyptian ground campaign or direct strikes against Houthi positions across the border in Yemen.

Egypt’s involvement in the war has been cautious before. Cairo joined the Saudi-led military intervention in 2015, initially contributing naval and air forces to the campaign against the Houthis. However, it did not deploy ground troops to Yemen, and its contribution remained limited, with maritime security around the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait a central concern.

Egypt renewed its participation in the coalition during the following year but never became a major ground-combat participant in the conflict.

The latest authorization therefore provides Riyadh with the prospect of additional defensive military support without signaling a large-scale Egyptian campaign inside Yemen.

Cairo has also continued to call for a diplomatic settlement, reflecting its interest in protecting its Gulf partnerships and the maritime routes linking the Red Sea to the Suez Canal.

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• The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) struck King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and Saudi’s East-West oil pipeline pumping stations with missiles and drones;
• The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) struck the Saudi-backed troop concentrations and weapons depots in Aden’s Salah al-Din area and Lahij’s al-Wahat area;
• Fighting between Ansar Allah and the Saudi-backed forces continue in the western areas of Taiz city and south of Sabr mountain.

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Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on October 26 that its forces struck a Ukrainian drone depot, two power substations, port infrastructure and a cargo vessel during a large-scale overnight attack, targeting facilities it said supported Ukraine’s armed forces.

In a statement, the ministry said the strikes hit a depot storing medium- and long-range drones and their components in Olshany in the Kharkiv region, and the Zalyutino 330-kilovolt power substation in the region’s capital, which it said supplied Ukraine’s defense industry.

Another 330-kilovolt substation near Kamianets-Podilskyi in the Khmelnytskyi region, used to support logistics infrastructure, was targeted.

In the Odessa region, the ministry said Russian forces struck loading and unloading infrastructure at three berth terminals in the port of Chornomorsk and four depots containing military and dual-use cargo. It also reported hitting a dry-cargo ship at sea that it said was carrying military supplies to Odessa for Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian media reported damage to an energy facility in Kamianets-Podilskyi, prompting emergency power cuts. And in Odessa, local authorities reported strikes that caused large fires at a private industrial facility and a garage cooperative.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 140 attack drones and four missiles overnight, including 70 jet-powered drones, three Kh-59/69 guided missiles and one Kh-31P anti-radiation missile. The air force claimed that its air defenses had shot down or suppressed 112 drones and intercepted all three Kh-59/69 missiles. Yet it reported impacts at 15 locations.

Meanwhile, Russian media reported a large Ukrainian drone attack across Russia overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 290 Ukrainian drones over 16 Russian regions, including border areas and regions in central and southern Russia.

The heaviest reported attack hit the Voronezh region, where regional Governor Alexander Gusev said air defenses destroyed 113 drones, including 70 over the city of Voronezh.

The attack killed three civilians and left 39 others wounded. Fires broke out at industrial facilities, a business center, an apartment building and other locations. Russian media also reported that falling drone debris struck a passenger train, injuring travelers.

Ukraine stepped up its drone attacks on Russia over the past year, focusing mainly on civilian infrastructure. In response, Russian strikes on Ukraine became both larger in scale and far more frequent. In some recent weeks, strikes hit Ukraine on a daily basis.

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Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) released footage on October 26 showing attacks with Rujum drones against Saudi military targets along the border in the provinces of Najran, Jizan and Asir.

The video, which runs for more than six minutes, shows the drones tracking targets across mountainous and rocky terrain before striking fortified positions, troop gatherings and military vehicles. One of the vehicles hit was an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.

The Rujum is a modified version of the Chinese-made YD6-1000S hexacopter bomber drone featuring a 44-minute flight time and a 2 kg payload capacity, adapted to deploy munitions such as 60 mm mortars.

In recent weeks, there have been reports of scores of Saudi troops being killed or wounded along the border. No official overall toll has been published, however.

The escalation along the Yemen-Saudi border could be a prelude to a large-scale Houthi raid into the kingdom. The group carried out several successful incursions in the past, sometimes advancing multiple kilometers into Najran, Jizan and Asir.

Such a move by the Houthis could further complicate the situation for Saudi Arabia, which is already struggling to stop the advance of the Houthis inside Yemen and to counter the group’s deep strikes on Saudi territory.

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ROSTOV-ON-DON REGION, RUSSIA – JULY 15, 2019: Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers detain two members of a cell of the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia). Video screen grab/ Russian Federal Security Service/TASS.

A drone sabotage plot targeting a key component of Moscow’s missile defense system and an electric power facility has been thwarted, and two agents of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) involved in preparing the attacks have been detained, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on October 26.

“The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has thwarted the sabotage and terrorist activities of two individuals from the Transcaucasus, born in 1991 and 1998, who were acting as agents for the Security Service of Ukraine and were involved in the preparation of a terrorist attack,” the FSB said in a statement.

The SBU planned an attack by launching strike drones, the FSB added, revealing that the two agents were supposed to launch the attack drones in the Moscow region, with the subsequent operation of the drones being controlled from Ukrainian territory.

“The individuals were apprehended by officers of the Russian FSB while in the process of preparing to carry out a terrorist attack at an electric power facility, as well as at one of the key components of Moscow’s missile defense system,” the statement read.

The SBU agents retrieved first-person-view drones and components for improvised explosive devices from caches in the Smolensk and Kaluga regions for use in terrorist attacks, the statement added.

The arrests follow two other operations reported by Russian security services this month. On October 13, the FSB said it had detained a woman who had assembled nine explosives-equipped drones for a planned attack on the Baltimore military airfield near Voronezh. The drones were intended to strike military infrastructure and aircraft, according to the security agency.

On October 15, the FSB announced the arrest of a Swedish citizen in the Pskov region, saying he had entered Russia to sabotage military facilities after serving in a Ukrainian military drone unit. The agency said he was arrested near the border with Latvia and Belarus.

These recent plots resemble Operation Spider’s Web, in which Ukrainian intelligence used drones smuggled into Russia to strike air bases and damage Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers, more than a year ago.

Ukrainian intelligence is clearly still attempting to replicate the operation, expanding the scope of its targets from air bases to other strategic military facilities and even civilian infrastructure. These efforts, however, have been a complete failure so far.

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Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan were in Tehran on October 26 for planned talks with Iranian leaders, as regional powers seek to contain escalating tensions and avert a possible resumption of the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The delegations include Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. They are expected to meet Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei and other senior officials to discuss regional security, according to Iranian authorities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the discussions would address Israel’s policies, developments in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and the consequences of U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran.

He added that the agenda had not been finalized but would “undoubtedly address the most pressing threats to regional security.”

Saudi Arabia confirmed that its defense minister was leading a delegation to Tehran. Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the visit was intended to promote dialogue, reduce tensions and support mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan.

The talks follow a visit to Tehran last week by Munir, during which the idea of bringing the four countries together was proposed, according to Iranian officials.

Qatar also sent mediators to the Islamic Republic a day earlier as diplomatic efforts intensified to prevent renewed fighting.

Previous mediation by Pakistan and Qatar helped produce an interim agreement in June intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and begin negotiations on a broader settlement, including Iran’s nuclear program.

The agreement quickly unraveled as fighting resumed around Hormuz, leaving Washington and Tehran without a lasting settlement.

The planned meeting also brings Iran into high-level contact with all three countries that signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. The pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all, making the diplomatic engagement with Tehran particularly significant as tensions spread across the region.

Saudi Arabia has also been facing escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah.

Meanwhile, Washington and Tehran have exchanged increasingly sharp warnings over the possibility of renewed military operations.

The talks are intended to explore regional security arrangements and support diplomatic efforts to prevent another regional escalation. However, the latest available reports have not established that the planned meeting will conclude or produce an agreement.

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Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan were in Tehran on October 26 for planned talks with Iranian leaders, as regional powers seek to contain escalating tensions and avert a possible resumption of the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The delegations include Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. They are expected to meet Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei and other senior officials to discuss regional security, according to Iranian authorities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the discussions would address Israel’s policies, developments in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and the consequences of U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran.

He added that the agenda had not been finalized but would “undoubtedly address the most pressing threats to regional security.”

Saudi Arabia confirmed that its defense minister was leading a delegation to Tehran. Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the visit was intended to promote dialogue, reduce tensions and support mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan.

The talks follow a visit to Tehran last week by Munir, during which the idea of bringing the four countries together was proposed, according to Iranian officials.

Qatar also sent mediators to the Islamic Republic a day earlier as diplomatic efforts intensified to prevent renewed fighting.

Previous mediation by Pakistan and Qatar helped produce an interim agreement in June intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and begin negotiations on a broader settlement, including Iran’s nuclear program.

The agreement quickly unraveled as fighting resumed around Hormuz, leaving Washington and Tehran without a lasting settlement.

The planned meeting also brings Iran into high-level contact with all three countries that signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. The pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all, making the diplomatic engagement with Tehran particularly significant as tensions spread across the region.

Saudi Arabia has also been facing escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah.

Meanwhile, Washington and Tehran have exchanged increasingly sharp warnings over the possibility of renewed military operations.

The talks are intended to explore regional security arrangements and support diplomatic efforts to prevent another regional escalation. However, the latest available reports have not established that the planned meeting will conclude or produce an agreement.

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Click to see full-size image. (Rostec)

Russia has equipped its upgraded Yak-130M combat jet trainer with an onboard defensive system designed to detect incoming missile launches and counter radar- and infrared-guided weapons, state defense conglomerate Rostec announced on October 26.

The aircraft carries the President-S130 defense suite, which uses a three-stage process to protect the aircraft from incoming threats.

According to Rostec, the system automatically detects a missile launch, deploys electronic countermeasures against detection and guidance systems, and releases expendable decoys designed to divert missiles that use radar or infrared homing.

The announcement comes as Russia advances flight testing of the upgraded aircraft. The third Yak-130M prototype made its maiden flight on October 9 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, operated by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec.

The additional aircraft is expected to accelerate testing, with the first deliveries to customers planned for 2028, the company said.

The Yak-130M is a modernized version of the Yak-130 trainer, redesigned to expand the aircraft’s combat capabilities. Its upgraded equipment includes a new airborne radar, an electro-optical and laser targeting system, and an expanded weapons suite.

Rostec said the aircraft can engage both ground and aerial targets, including long-range fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

The addition of the President-S130 suite is intended to improve the aircraft’s ability to operate in environments where it faces missile threats.

Despite the signficant extension of the Yak-130M combat capabilities, the aircraft will retain its original advanced training role.

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Click to see full-size image. (Rostec)

Russia has equipped its upgraded Yak-130M combat jet trainer with an onboard defensive system designed to detect incoming missile launches and counter radar- and infrared-guided weapons, state defense conglomerate Rostec announced on October 26.

The aircraft carries the President-S130 defense suite, which uses a three-stage process to protect the aircraft from incoming threats.

According to Rostec, the system automatically detects a missile launch, deploys electronic countermeasures against detection and guidance systems, and releases expendable decoys designed to divert missiles that use radar or infrared homing.

The announcement comes as Russia advances flight testing of the upgraded aircraft. The third Yak-130M prototype made its maiden flight on October 9 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, operated by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec.

The additional aircraft is expected to accelerate testing, with the first deliveries to customers planned for 2028, the company said.

The Yak-130M is a modernized version of the Yak-130 trainer, redesigned to expand the aircraft’s combat capabilities. Its upgraded equipment includes a new airborne radar, an electro-optical and laser targeting system, and an expanded weapons suite.

Rostec said the aircraft can engage both ground and aerial targets, including long-range fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

The addition of the President-S130 suite is intended to improve the aircraft’s ability to operate in environments where it faces missile threats.

Despite the signficant extension of the Yak-130M combat capabilities, the aircraft will retain its original advanced training role.

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Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced on October 26 that they struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile and Saudi Arabia’s East-West crude oil pipeline with drones, while announcing separate missile attacks on military positions and weapons depots in Aden and Lahij.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the movement’s military spokesman, said the airport had been targeted with a ballistic missile.

“Our armed forces, with God’s grace, successfully targeted King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi enemy’s capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile, and the hit was accurate,” Saree said.

He added that the group had “carried out an operation targeting crude oil pumping stations on the East-West line with several drones,” saying the strikes had also hit their targets.

The Saudi-led coalition, from its part, said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki announced the interception after Saudi authorities issued an aerial-threat alert for the capital. Explosions had been heard in Riyadh a day earlier amid similar warnings.

In a second statement, Saree announced two missile attacks against Saudi-backed military positions in southern Yemen, identifying the targets as troop concentrations and weapons depots in the Salah al-Din area of Aden and the al-Wahat area of Lahij.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces, with God Almighty’s help, carried out two special military operations targeting the Saudi enemy’s troop concentrations and weapons depots in the Salah al-Din area of Aden governorate and the al-Wahat area of Lahij governorate using several ballistic missiles,” Saree said.

He claimed the attacks caused “dozens of dead and wounded” and destroyed and burned military vehicles and weapons depots. Saree also said the targeted facilities were supervised by Saudi officer Badr al-Harbi.

Reports of explosions emerged from the same general areas. Al Jazeera reported that a correspondent heard an explosion in Salah al-Din, west of Aden, and that loud blasts were heard between Aden and Lahij.

Yemen’s Information Ministry separately said two missiles had fallen near displaced-person camps in Salah al-Din, but did not provide casualty figures or details of damage.

The Houthis continue to escalate strikes against Saudi Arabia and its allies, and despite the kingdom’s recent efforts to secure defensive support, it remains vulnerable to the group’s missiles and drones. This situation will not likely change any time soon as the Houthis appear to have amassed enough capabilities for a prolonged conflict.

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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.

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