Battle For Rai-Oleksandrivka: Russian Artillery Fire Nears Ukrainian Positions In Slaviansk

In the direction of Slovyansk, Russian troops have taken control of the Velykyi Vovchyi Forest and cleared positions in the Stetskova Ravine. They are currently engaged in fierce fighting for Kalenyky. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units are trying to hold the heights in Kryva Luka and have transferred “firefighter” detachments of the 425th “Skala” Regiment to Minkivka. In the Sumy area, the “North” grouping’s assault groups advanced 400 meters. They repelled counterattacks by the 47th Brigade and destroyed the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade’s reserves. Mass desertion was recorded in the Krasnopillia district of the 119th Brigade. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops advanced toward Vovchansk and Velykyi Burluk, destroying strongpoints of the 127th and 101st brigades. In the Pokrovsk area, intense fighting continues in Hryshyne, and Russian troops are expanding their control and striking rear areas. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops are fighting near Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa, destroying Ukrainian troop reinforcements and equipment. The head of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office stated that attacks by Ukrainian units on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline on Turkish territory will be regarded as an attack on a NATO country.

Slaviansk Direction

In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian troops continue advancing on the northern flank towards the city. Systematic strikes on Ukrainian logistics, combined with effective personnel management, allow for a relatively fast pace of advance compared to other sectors.

Russian units have taken control of the Velykyi Vovchyi forest. North of the village, assault groups have cleared Ukrainian troops from the Stetskova ravine and are advancing further west, dislodging Ukrainian forces from strongpoints near Kalenyky. Fierce fighting is underway in Kalenyky itself. Meanwhile, in neighboring Kryva Luka, Ukrainian troops are attempting to hold the dominant heights. Control of these heights would enable Russian troops to secure Kalenyky’s flank against potential counterattacks and provide drone operators with an advantageous observation point.

Ukrainian authorities have announced the evacuation of families with children from the eastern districts of Slaviansk due to increased shelling. Artillery has already reached neighboring Mykolaivka, and Slaviansk is next. Anti-drone tunnel installations continue in the city due to the increased number of drone strikes on Ukrainian transport, on which all logistics depend. Many armored vehicles do not have time to reach the front line and barely leave the city.

On the southern flank, Ukrainian units are trying to stabilize the situation near Minkivka. Recently, the Ukrainian command transferred infantry groups from the 425th Separate “Skala” Assault Regiment to the area. These groups have made several sorties against Russian troops’ positions in the village. The northwestern outskirts of the settlement remain in a “gray zone.”

Rai-Oleksandrivka is the last major fortified area on the eastern approaches to Slaviansk. Ukrainian units will likely try to hold their positions for as long as possible. Losing this settlement would allow Russian troops to bring artillery closer to the front line and shell Ukrainian positions in Slaviansk directly. This is one reason why the Ukrainian command transferred “firefighter” detachments of “Skala” to Minkivka, in an attempt to temporarily slow the Russian advance.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to fight fiercely, advancing deeper into the area. Russian aviation forces, heavy flamethrower system crews, and strike drone operators attacked Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Barylka, Myropillia, Velyka Chernechchyna, Esman, Korenek, and Nova Sich.

Russian assault groups advanced in the Sumy district on sixteen fronts and in the Hlukhiv district on two fronts during stubborn fighting. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 400 meters. In the Shostka district, they advanced up to 200 meters. Army aviation forces destroyed the 114th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s reserves transferred to this sector.

In the Sumy district, Ukrainian units are trying to stop the advance toward the regional center. They attempted a counterattack with two assault groups from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, but the groups were destroyed in a firefight.

In the Krasnopillia district, Russian assault detachments advanced up to 500 meters during a fierce firefight.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv region, Russian assault groups are advancing deeper into the area. Russian aviation forces and strike drone operators attacked Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Ternova, Nesterne, Kolodezne, and Izbitske areas.

In the Lyptsi area, crews operating heavy flamethrowers destroyed Ukrainian soldiers from the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade who were stationed at a strongpoint north of Izbitske. In the Vovchansk area, Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters along seven fronts. In the Velykyi Burluk area, Russian assault groups advanced up to 400 meters despite resistance. Heavy flamethrower units attacked a stronghold of the 101st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, eliminating a group of Ukrainian soldiers in the Shevyakivka area.

Pokrovsk Direction

In the direction of Pokrovsk, the fighting in Hryshyne remains fierce. Russian units are attacking in waves in an attempt to push Ukrainian troops out of the settlement. Ukrainian troops have attempted counterattacks but have fallen back to their original positions after returning fire. The fighting is ongoing for every house and street. Russian troops have firm control of the eastern and northeastern parts of the settlement and are systematically advancing west.

After establishing control over Pavlivka, Russian troops continued to attack in the direction of Torske. Fighting also continues near Kucheriv Yar and Novyi Donbas. Aviation and artillery are striking the rear areas of Ukrainian units in the Rubizhne area. The Novopavlivka garrison of Ukrainian troops has almost no logistics left — drone operators have cut off the supply routes for ammunition and the pulling up of reserves. The control zone is expanding north of Ivanivka as well.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, the “East” grouping’s assault units continue to advance west and northwest of Huliaipole. The logistics of Ukrainian troops west of the Rizdvianka–Verkhnia Tersa line continue to come under pressure. In this sector, Russian units are engaged in intense combat near Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa, and Komsomolske.

Ukrainian units did not undertake offensive actions, instead focusing on rotation and reinforcement of the forward edge. The Ukrainian command continues to attempt to accumulate reserves close to the front line. However, units are suffering significant losses from strikes on frontline logistics.

Artillery fire and FPV drone strikes targeted eight reinforcement groups in the Kolomiitsi, Vozdvizhevka, southeast of Liubitske, east of Kopani, Verkhnia Tersa, and Komsomolske areas. As a result of fire engagement on movement routes, three combat armored vehicles, seven pickup trucks, four quad bikes, and more than two platoons of personnel were destroyed.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian troops have taken control of the Velykyi Vovchyi forest and cleared positions near Kalenyky. They are creating prerequisites for reaching Rai-Oleksandrivka and putting pressure on Slaviansk. Ukrainian units, recognizing the threat, are moving reserves to the area and attempting to secure the high ground. In the Sumy area, the “North” group is advancing systematically, expanding control zones and exploiting the systemic problems of Ukrainian units, such as mass desertion and hiding in medical facilities. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are advancing slowly but steadily, striking strong points and concentrations of personnel. In the Pokrovsk area, fierce fighting continues in Hryshyne, and Russian troops are systematically advancing and striking rear targets. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops are targeting Ukrainian logistics, destroying equipment and reinforcement groups near Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa.

An important event in the international political context was ش statement by Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office. He said that Ukrainian attacks on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline in Turkey would be considered an attack on a NATO country. In turn, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, called for preparation for an imminent Ukrainian attack on the Turkish Stream pipeline, which is crucial for Hungary’s natural gas supplies, with the aim of completely disrupting the country’s energy supply. These statements were made amid the ongoing conflict surrounding the Druzhba pipeline, where Hungary and Slovakia are blocking an EU loan to Ukraine, demanding the resumption of Russian oil transit.

These statements demonstrate Central European countries’ growing concern about their energy security and their readiness to use political and military arguments to protect their interests. The threat of attacks on critical energy infrastructure supplying NATO countries creates a new level of tension and could lead to serious escalation. Hungary, which is already blocking financial aid to Ukraine, is now warning of possible consequences for Ukraine itself. Against the backdrop of Russian troops’ successful offensive in multiple directions, such statements further complicate Kyiv’s position, demonstrating that its actions could have far-reaching consequences for its relations with NATO allies.

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