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Russian Army Clears Cauldron in Kharkiv
Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)
In the Kharkiv direction Russian units are advancing towards Kharkov and Veliky Burluk, while in the Reznikovsky cauldron all settlements have been officially cleared. In the Slavyansk direction, in the zone of the “South” grouping near Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka, the situation remains complex: there are suspicions that the Ukrainian side, preparing the agglomeration for fighting, has dug underground tunnels from Kramatorsk through Druzhkovka and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka to Konstantinovka. In the Zaporozhye direction units of the “East” grouping have entered Omelnyk, which was a key logistical point for Ukrainian forces on the Orekhov–Novonikolayevka highway. In the Kupyansk direction Russian units maintain pressure north and north-west of the town; however, after the limited advances of recent days the situation is gradually shifting to the retention of what has been achieved. In the Sumy direction assault units of the “North” grouping continue to press Ukrainian defenses with the support of aviation, drone crews and artillery. Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that certain “elements of peace” had been found at the Ukraine–US talks in Oslo and would be presented in St Petersburg.
Zaporozhye direction
On the Orekhov sector fighters of the “East” grouping, in the course of a successful advance, entered Omelnyk, which for Ukrainian units was an important key logistical point on the Orekhov–Novonikolayevka highway. After reaching the left bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River near Lyubitskoye and expanding the bridgehead to Novosoloshino–Nikolskoye, the command is shifting efforts to the left flank of the eastern sector.
The “Dnepr” grouping continues fighting for Orekhov and around it. Along the Dnieper fighting is under way for Primorskoye: there is an advance in the southern part of the village, and Russian units are approaching the center. Fierce fighting continues for Lukyanovskoye, Stepnogorsk, Novoyakovlevka and Preobrazhenka. The Ukrainian side is stubbornly holding these points and transferring reserves, including special operations forces.
Slightly further north, in the zone of the “East” grouping, relying on Gulyaypolskoye, Dolinka and Kopani, Russian troops are attempting to develop the offensive on Shirokoye after overcoming the first line of defense. Having returned to Novosoloshino, Russian units are also developing the advance. Slightly further south clearance of the sector near Chervona Krinitsa continues. Malaya Tokmachka is fully under Russian control, as is the eastern part of Orekhov. Fighters continue to hold the lines inside Orekhov itself.
Kupyansk direction
In the Kupyansk direction Russian units maintain pressure north and north-west of the town; however, after the limited advances of recent days the situation is gradually shifting to the retention of what has been achieved. On the Moskovka–Tishchenkovka–Kondrashovka–Radkovka line the struggle for positions and communications continues.
Russian units are counter-attacking and recovering individual positions, yet a significant part of their efforts is now devoted precisely to stabilising the lines. Overall there is no collapse of the front, but neither is there sustained development of the offensive. On a number of sectors, instead of further advance, it is necessary to consolidate what has been achieved, restore individual positions and contain reciprocal actions by the Ukrainian side.
North of Kupyansk, having repelled counter-offensive actions towards Zapadnoye, Russian units have launched an offensive in the directions of Bolshaya Shapkova, Pelageyevka and Kovalyovka. There are chances, relying on Kupyansk, to push further along the river valley, driving a wedge into the Ukrainian defense in the direction of Shevchenkovo.
Slavyansk direction
In the zone of the “South” grouping near Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka the situation remains complex. There are suspicions that the Ukrainian side, preparing the agglomeration for fighting, has dug underground tunnels from Kramatorsk through Druzhkovka and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka to Konstantinovka. Small groups move along them and have to be constantly cleared. Despite the envelopments and good progress, the fighting is heavy. There are small advances towards Belokuzminovka from the south.
Troops of the 25th Army of the “West” grouping have driven Ukrainian units out of Ozernoye as a result of counter-offensive actions. Ukrainian forces that attempted to cross the Seversky Donets were pushed back. The flank of the “South” grouping is beginning to stabilize. Fighting for Nikolayevka continues. The Ukrainian side firmly holds the approaches to Kramatorsk via Pervomaryevka. On the Vasilyevskaya Pustosh–Pervomayka line units of the volunteer corps are fighting.
Russian troops in Liman, having regrouped the forces of the 25th Army, have gone over to the counter-offensive. They have cleared the approaches to Yampol and driven Ukrainian units back in the direction of Krivaya Luka. The left flank of the 25th Army has been stabilized and has practically been brought up against the flank of the 3rd Army of the “South” grouping. By counter-offensive actions the Ukrainian side has been driven out of the northern district of Zarechnoye.
Sumy direction
Near Malaya Korchakovka attempts by the Ukrainian side to counter-attack through the wooded areas continue; Ukrainian units are also accumulating reserves north of Khoten and near Khrapovshchina, trying to take advantage of the last green cover of the year to insert their groups. Near Yunakovka fierce fighting is also under way: the Ukrainian side is attempting to throw small groups into the settlement.
Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to press Ukrainian defenses with the support of Russian aviation, drone crews and artillery. The Ukrainian side has taken no active actions and is strengthening its defenses.
In Sumy district fierce fighting continues near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. In Shostka district assault groups of the “Northerners” have advanced near Korenok. In Krasnopolye district the Ukrainian side is strengthening its defenses near Turya; artillery and drone crews of the “North” grouping are actively working against it.
Kharkiv direction
Fierce fighting continues on all sectors of the front in Kharkiv region. Russian units are advancing in the direction of Kharkov and Veliky Burluk.
In the Liptsy direction Russian assault troops have advanced south of Novaya Kazachya. There are advances near Tokarevka. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions assault units of the “North” grouping are advancing southwards, expanding the security zone. There is an advance near Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk.
On the Bolsheburluksky direction all settlements in the so-called Reznikovsky cauldron have been officially cleared. The territory is enormous — almost 400–500 square kilometers; isolated Ukrainian positions will still have to be mopped up for weeks. Overall resistance has been broken. The Ukrainian side, relying on Maly Burluk and Prikolotnoye, is attempting to reach the Plotva River and attack towards Blagodatnoye, Nefyodovka and Olkhovatka. North of Kharkov — in the area of Kazachya Lopan, Novaya Kazachya, Goptovka and Supovka — limited-scale active offensive operations continue.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye direction the key event has been the entry into Omelnyk, which has made it possible to cut off Ukrainian positions in Orekhov from the eastern sector. In the Kupyansk direction Russian units are holding what has been achieved and stabilizing the lines while simultaneously developing the offensive north of the town. In the Slavyansk direction the “West” grouping has driven Ukrainian units out of Ozernoye and gone over to the counter-offensive near Liman, which noticeably simplifies the situation on the flank. In the Sumy direction positional fighting continues, with attempts by small Ukrainian groups to infiltrate through the wooded areas. In the Kharkiv direction Russian units are advancing towards Kharkov and Veliky Burluk, and the Reznikovsky cauldron has been officially cleared.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that certain “elements of peace” had been found at the Ukraine–US talks on a Ukrainian settlement in Oslo. “Today we achieved real progress, and on two levels. The first is the overall picture; the second is the short-term perspective. In the overall picture we found some elements of peace that will be presented in St Petersburg tomorrow. We discussed key elements of security and key elements of the economy,” Stubb said at a press conference after the talks. He added that the talks “at the technical level” were progressing “quite successfully”.
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