From Redkodub To Svyatohirsk: Ukraine Faces Russian Tactical Successes In Slaviansk And Izyum Sectors

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian units crossed the Haichur River to the west of Huliaipole. They established control over Zelenoye and reached the outskirts of Sviatopetrivka. This created conditions for an envelopment of Zaliznychne. In the Kharkiv sector, the Russian “North” grouping intensified its offensive in the Staritsa area, advancing on multiple fronts and gaining up to 800 meters. In the Kostiantynivka sector, capturing a key strongpoint near the traffic police post and the southern bank of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir enabled units to reach the western outskirts of Kostiantynivka. In the Krasnyi Liman sector, Russian assault groups entered the city limits of Svyatohirsk near the “Time-Out” beach. In the Izyum sector, the Russians successfully broke through and cut the road between Karpivka and Korovyi Yar, threatening to envelop the latter from the flank. The president and prime minister of Poland believe that any international documents concerning Ukraine should undergo a ratification procedure in the Polish parliament.

Izyum Sector

Units of the Russian “West” military grouping are advancing on the right bank of the Netrius River, approaching the border of Kharkiv Region and the settlements of Karpivka, Korovyi Yar, Aleksandrovka, and Sosnovoye. Ukrainian units on this section of the front are experiencing problems with reserves, although counterattack attempts continue.

Russian assault groups have achieved a breakthrough, cutting the road between Karpivka and Korovyi Yar. They advanced further into the Melovyi Yar area and the garden, creating conditions for a flanking attack on Korovyi Yar. This success poses a threat of penetration between Korovyi Yar and Rubtsi, which could further disrupt supply lines in this area, especially given the Russian advance toward the road between Korovyi Yar and Aleksandrovka, near the electrical substation and Popov Yar gully.

Russian assault groups broke into the eastern part of Aleksandrovka through the forest zone and are attempting to consolidate there. To the southwest, there are ongoing engagements for the Sosnovoye settlement.

Further south, at the junction of the Slavyansk and Izyum sectors, Russian units broke through the forest north of the Siverskyi Donets River to reach the eastern outskirts of Svyatohirsk. On the right flank, assault groups advanced into the Redkodub settlement, pushing back the formations stationed there westward. They also advanced into the forest to the Olgovka approaches. Intensive engagements continue for the settlement of Karpivka.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

Following the establishment of control over Huliaipole and a subsequent regrouping, the offensive on the southern flank of the eastern Zaporizhzhia sector resumed. Ukrainian units, which had suffered losses in several unsuccessful counterattacks near Dobropillia, could not stop the advance of the Russian “East” grouping.

While crossing the Haichur River at Bratske, Russian assault units from the 394th Motor Rifle Regiment crossed the river to the west of Huliaipole and forced Ukrainian units out of Zelenoye. The Ukrainian command launched several counterattacks with the 425th and 225th Assault Regiments, but failed to retake Zelenoye.

Groups advancing along the line of fortifications have engaged in battles for the outskirts of Sviatopetrivka. It is possible that this settlement will also fall under Russian control in the near future. This would enable units of the “East” grouping to advance along Solena Balka toward Staroukrainka. Controlling it would enable deep penetration into the defense lines and the envelopment of Zaliznychne from the north, ultimately cutting supply routes.

Russian forces have established control over Bratske on the northern flank. As a result, units have reached the border of Zaporizhzhia Region  in the area of Novoye Pole. This creates conditions for the encirclement of the Ternuvate settlement from the north. Capturing Novoye Pole and Khrystoforivka, which are located beyond the railway line, could lead to the operational encirclement of Ternuvate.

Intensive fighting is ongoing in a bridgehead south of Ternuvate in Zaporizhzhia Region . From this area, Russian units are attacking Prydorozhne, as well as in the direction of Rozhdestvenske and Vozdvyzhenka. Battles for strong points on the heights west of Pryluky village continue, and the advance toward Yeleno-Kostiantynivka from the north continues. The evolving situation indicates approaching battles for the Orikhiv defensive area.

Kostiantynivka Sector

Units of the Russian “South” grouping continue to advance through the urban area of Kostiantynivka and along the approaches to the city. Several key strong points that affected the stability of the defense on this section of the front have been captured. Ukrainian units were dislodged from a strongpoint near the traffic police post. This strongpoint was equipped for all-around defense. It is located on a dominant height north of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir and southwest of Kostiantynivka. Losing control of this fortification allowed the Ukrainian force to reach the Illynivka and Illyicha settlements, as well as the western outskirts of the city. According to available information, units are operating in the Krasnyi Gorodok area.

As a result of the prolonged fighting, the forces have consolidated their positions between the southern part of Chasiv Yar and Novodmytrivka. They have also entered Novodmytrivka, where battles continue, after overcoming resistance. They also advanced to the Molocharka Reservoir and the Chervone settlement. Further advances in this area, from the south towards the Stenki settlement beyond the Gruzska River and from the north from Maiske and the eastern outskirts of Veroliubivka, threaten to encircle the eastern defense area (Chervone, Mykolaivka, and Podolske) near the western outskirts of Chasiv Yar.

Battles continue in Kostiantynivka north of Sobornosti and Minska streets in the area of the technical college. To the southwest of Kostiantynivka, there are ongoing battles for the settlements of Berestok and Stepanivka, which are being flanked. The advance east of Novodmytrivka will also affect the situation in the Druzhkivka area, particularly given the advances in Maiske and Veroliubivka.

On the western bank of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, units advanced north along the H-20 highway, capturing a strongpoint near the traffic police post. The southern bank of the reservoir, long a contested territory, is now under stable control. In the Ivanopillia area, part of the built-up area has been cleared, and a small industrial zone near the approaches to Kostiantynivka has been captured. In the city itself, control has been established over a line of fortifications from the direction of Predtechyne, which could facilitate entry into Kostiantynivka from the east. To the north, control of Maiske was recently established. The situation in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar remains complex, with active combat occurring on the western outskirts of the city. The sector as a whole is steadily advancing.

Kharkiv Sector

The Russian “North” grouping’s assault groups are accelerating their offensive pace in the Staritsa settlement area and Volchanskie Khutora. Advances have also been noted in the forest near Liman and on the Kharkiv-Donetsk (Khatne) section of the front. Near the border, in the Udú settlement area, sniper teams were active; one of them was detected and neutralized.

In the Staritsa area, advances were recorded on seven fronts. The total advance amounted to 800 meters. Thermobaric system strikes targeted the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 127th Separate Tank Brigade. Control was established over a section of forest southeast of Liman with an advance of 300 meters. In Volchanskie Khutora, 15 homesteads were captured with an advance of 250 meters. In the Melovoye-Khatneye area, advances of 200 meters each were noted on two sections.

Krasnyi Liman Sector

Russian units advanced in tree lines from the direction of Grekovka towards Olgovka. They cut the road from Korovyi Yar to Karpivka, then continued moving from the eastern side of Korovyi Yar.

Meanwhile, slightly to the south, Russian forces captured several Ukrainian strong points and gained control of the Aleksandrovka-Korovyi Yar road. The railway station southwest of Novoselivka has come under Russian control, and battles for fortifications in the forested area continue. Along the Siverskyi Donets, Russian assault groups advanced from Yarovaya and entered Svyatohirsk near the “Time-Out” beach.

Sumy Sector

Units of the Russian “North” military grouping continue to expand the security zone in the Sumy Region at a rapid pace. Rocket system crews worked effectively on the offensive sections.

Assault units advanced on nine sections of the front in Sumy district and on four sections in Krasnopillia district. The total advance amounted to 650 meters. In the Krasnopillia district, there has been an increase in the intensity of strikes using FPV drones, which is an attempt to compensate for the lack of infantry in forward positions.

Conclusion

As of January 8, in the Izyum sector, units of the “West” group continued their offensive on the right bank of the Netrius River. They have achieved a breakthrough, cutting the road between Karpivka and Korovyi Yar and advancing to the eastern outskirts of Svyatohirsk. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the offensive on the southern flank resumed after regrouping with the crossing of the Haichur River, the capture of Zelenoye, and an advance toward Staroukrainka. This creates a threat of enveloping Zaliznychne. In the Kostiantynivka sector, the “South” grouping has consolidated its gains by capturing key strongpoints near the Kleban-Byk Reservoir. Battles continue within the city limits of Kostiantynivka. In the Kharkiv sector, the “North” grouping increased the pace of its offensive in the Staritsa and Volchanskie Khutora areas, advancing up to 800 meters. In the Krasnyi Liman sector, units entered Svyatohirsk and established control over several roads and strongpoints. In the Sumy sector, the systematic expansion of the control zone continues with advances on multiple fronts.

As the situation on the front line develops, diplomatic and domestic political discussions related to the settlement continue. According to reports, the president and prime minister of Poland have agreed that any international documents related to Ukraine, including peace and recovery plans and security guarantee treaties, should be ratified by the Polish parliament. This process is expected to include debates in the Sejm, a vote, and the subsequent signing of the documents by the head of state. Previously, the United States administration reported that they were working on a plan to settle the Ukrainian crisis. Russia has stated its openness to negotiations within established platforms. These processes indicate an ongoing search for political and diplomatic mechanisms amid continuing combat operations.

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