File image.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces continue their offensive, encircling Krasnyi Liman from multiple directions and engaging in urban combat. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, units advancing west of Huliaipole have reached the outskirts of Zaliznychnyy. In the Kostiantynivka sector, fighting continues within the city limits. On the southern flank, an advance toward Berestok is underway. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, Russian assault groups supported by artillery and aviation continue to advance slowly in forested areas and settlements. The French leadership reacted sharply to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s statement that Europe is unable to defend itself without US assistance.
Sloviansk Sector
In the Slovyansk sector, Russian “South” units continue to advance on a relatively wide front and have achieved success in establishing control over Northal settlements. They are exerting pressure on the heights west of Siversk and north of Soledar.
After taking control of Zakotne, Ukrainian units were pushed off the heights south of the village, and Russian forces advanced along one of the gullies. Local successes have been recorded in the tree lines and in the area of the Zhytkiv ravine on the line between Zakotne and Reznykivka. Fighting continues for Reznykivka and Sviato-Pokrovske. There is still a possibility of passing through open fields to both of these points.
Evidence has emerged of a significant advance by Russian units from the southern flank, reaching the outskirts of Nykyforivka. This indirectly confirms earlier reports of establishing control over Pazen. The status of Bondarne and Khromivka remains unclear. Additionally, evidence has emerged of advancement on the approaches to Pryvillya, the capture of which was reported on January 17. New materials from this area will likely appear soon.
The pressure on the defensive formations along the Krasnyi Liman–Sloviansk line continues, with the aim of enveloping the city. Advances have been noted in the areas of Drobychevo and Yarova.
Assault groups supported by artillery and strike drones dislodged Ukrainian units from Northal strongpoints on the northern outskirts of Krasnyi Liman. The offensive in the southern and southeastern parts of the city is intensifying. New positions have been captured in the residential area of the Kommunalnyi microdistrict. The advance is proceeding systematically, without sharp thrusts, by gradually increasing pressure and suppressing firing points. The objective in this area is to systematically straighten the line of combat contact and strengthen the tactical position to create conditions for the subsequent encirclement of the city.
Russian assault units have been recorded in the Masliakivka area, up to a gas station, as well as on a street. These positions have not yet been firmly consolidated; the territory is designated as a gray zone. The main crossings over the Siverskyi Donets River are under fire control.
Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Korovy Yar, consolidated their position, and are preparing for further action. To the south, Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Yarova and established control over supply routes in the Drobychevo–Krasnyi Liman area from Oleksandrivka and Sviatohirsk. Units to the southwest are approaching Drobychevo and cutting it off from the Krasnyi Liman nodal area.
The offensive in Krasnyi Liman is being conducted from three directions, and assault actions have begun. There is ongoing fighting in the Northnyi (Northern), Tsentralnyi (Central), Kommunalnyi (bus station area), and Yuzhnyi (railway hospital area) microdistricts. The T-05-14 Raihorodok–Staryi Karavan highway is under fire control. The supply and interaction of Ukrainian forces with the nodal center of Sloviansk have been disrupted. Fire control has been established over the Piskunivka and Starodubivka districts from the Dibrova area, which limits the movement of forces in Krasnyi Liman.
Kostiantynivka Sector
In Kostiantynivka, Russian forces continue to push into the city’s defenses. Combat operations are ongoing along Oleksiya Tykhoho Street, from the railway station to Dneprvska Street, and to the Shanghai Pond.
Russian troops have advanced towards Berestok in the area of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, and have brought the forested areas near the shore under control. The grouping in Berestok is being enveloped from the west, from the crossroads, from the side of the reservoir, and from the direction of Ivanopillia.
The Ukrainian command is pulling its units to the western part of Kostiantynivka, where they are fortifying lines in the urban area.
Sumy Sector
In all sectors of the front in the Sumy region, units of the “North” grouping continue to advance slowly deeper into the region with heavy fighting and the support of artillery and flamethrower systems. Aviation and drone units are delivering pinpoint strikes on rear positions.
The Ukrainian command is having a hard time replenishing the 71st Separate Airborne Brigade, the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, and other assault units. Not enough mobilized personnel are arriving from training centers, and many are either falling ill or leaving their positions immediately.
Russian assault units advanced on five sectors in the Sumy district and on three in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance amounted to 550 meters. The Russian grouping’s artillery continued to strike positions in the Ryzhivka and Iskryskivshchyna areas.
Kharkiv Sector
Intensive combat operations are ongoing in the forests and settlements near Vovchansk. The use of aviation, strike drones, and heavy flamethrower systems is increasing the intensity of strikes on Ukrainian positions and ensuring the advance of Russian assault groups. Drones are being used to impede the advance.
The Ukrainian command has transferred engineering equipment to the Kharkiv region for demining. Additionally, some units from the 169th Separate Mechanized Brigade and special forces from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense have been redeployed.
In the Starytsia area, the advance along the tree lines in two sectors amounted to 150 meters. Crews operating heavy flamethrower systems struck the positions of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. In the forested area near Symynivka, a section of the forest and one position were captured, advancing 200 meters. In Volchanskiy Khutora, Russian assault groups, supported by artillery fire, captured nine homesteads and advanced 150 meters. In the Khatnie area, the Russian air force struck the positions of the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade near Novovasylivka. Assault groups advanced eight sectors by 700 meters.
Zaporizhzhia Sector
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the “East” and “Dnepr” units continue to take offensive action in the Orikhiv area. Meanwhile, units operating west of Huliaipole have demonstrated a higher rate of advance. Over the last 24 hours, Russian units from the 57th and 60th Motorized Rifle Brigades dislodged units from the 225th Separate Assault Regiment and the 102nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade from strongpoints in a tree line on the southern outskirts of Zaliznychnyy. They also engaged in a battle in the area of the “Agrokhimservis” warehouse ruins. Fighting was also reported near the Huliaipole elevator and Zaliznychnyy railway station.
In the area between Shevchenko Street in Huliaipole and the village of Dorozhnyanka, Ukrainian units from the 1st Battalion of the 154th Mechanized Brigade are in a semi-encirclement. This reduces the risk of blocking the Huliaipole–Polohy highway.
Fighting continues in Prymorske. Additionally, drones are hitting paratrooper positions as soon as they are identified, sometimes directing up to fifty drones at a time. The situation is extremely tense, and a similar situation is observed in almost every village along the front line.
The same situation exists in Lukyanivske, Novoboykivske, Novoyakovlivka, and Pavlivka. It should be noted that the presence of units in a village does not mean that full and stable control has been established over it.
The transfer of units specializing in drone use to Malokaterynivka, Hryhorivka, and Kushuhum is ongoing. Additionally, drone operators of airborne units are identifying and striking firing points on the opposite bank in the area of Bilenke.
South of Huliaipole, the Russian “East” grouping straightened the front line to Dorozhnyanka and cleared an area to the road. They have also advanced west of Dorozhnyanka up to the railway embankment and established control over territories along tree lines.
Conclusion
The operational situation in various sectors of the front remains complex and dynamic. In the Sloviansk sector, particularly in the Krasnyi Liman area, the offensive is progressing through gradual envelopment and penetration into Krasnyi Liman’s urban areas. Key objectives include cutting logistical routes and establishing conditions for potential encirclement. In the Kostiantynivka sector, fighting remains intense in the city itself, and the ring around Berestok is gradually tightening on the southern flank. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, particularly to the west of Huliaipole, the most notable tactical advances have been observed, linked to the seizure of strategic locations and strongpoints near Zaliznychnyy. This poses a semi-encirclement threat to certain units. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, the offensive involves slowly “pushing through” the defense in wooded terrain. Each position is contested, and both sides actively use artillery and aviation. They also massively employ unmanned aerial vehicles of all types, which makes the advance extremely costly and slow.
On January 27, Politico reported that the French leadership had reacted sharply to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s statement that Europe is unable to defend itself without US assistance. A day earlier, during a discussion with deputies of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Rutte stated that he does not object to the publication of their correspondence by US President Donald Trump. The NATO Secretary General explained his praise for Trump, saying that the American leader is doing “a lot of good.” Rutte also called on the EU to stop dreaming that the union will be able to defend itself without U.S. help. “The French government snapped back at Mark Rutte after the NATO secretary general said Europe cannot defend itself without the US,” Politico states. In particular, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticized Rutte’s words. “No, dear Mark Rutte. Europeans can and must take responsibility for their own security. Even the US agrees with this. This is the European pillar of NATO,” wrote the head of the French MFA on social network X.
In addition to Barrot, Northal prominent French figures criticized Rutte’s words. Muriel Domenach, a former French representative to NATO, said that both the question to the alliance’s secretary general and Rutte’s response were incorrect. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin also spoke in favor of the “European pillar” of NATO, albeit without directly mentioning Rutte’s statement, Politico notes.
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