Haichur Left Bank Under Fire: Russian Army Develops Offensive Against Ukrainian Forces In Zaporizhzhia

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the Russian “East” units consolidated their success on the western bank of the Haichur River. They established control over Pryluky and advanced towards Vozdvyzhenka. The units also reached the approaches to Tsvitkove. In the Slaviansk sector, the Russian army made progress after consolidating its position in Zakotne. Units of the 3rd Army of the “South” grouping are advancing toward the Kryva Luka–Kalenyky line while continuing to fight intensely for Reznikivka. In the Kostiantynivka sector, fierce battles are ongoing to the northwest of the city. An offensive is also developing on the southern flank from the Kleban-Byk Reservoir. In the Sumy sector, assault groups advanced up to 750 meters along fifteen sections of the front in the Sumy region. In the forested area southwest of Liman in the Kharkiv sector, assault troops, supported by aviation, advanced 650 meters and captured one strongpoint. The Swiss publication Neue Zürcher Zeitung points to serious budgetary risks associated with Ukraine’s possible EU membership in an analysis of the prospects for EU enlargement.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, particularly in the eastern part, Russian units continued to advance. Their main efforts are focused on consolidating and expanding bridgeheads beyond the Haichur River and breaching deeply echeloned defenses. Units of the Russian “East” grouping, including the 394th Motor Rifle Regiment’s guardsmen from the 127th Division, have taken control of the Pryluky settlement. This follows the successful earlier capture of Yeleno-Kostiantynivka. These actions increased control of the western bank of the Haichur River and breached the second line of Ukrainian defenses in the area.

The 12-kilometer line formed between the Haichur River and the railway has significant operational potential. After capturing Ternuvate and eliminating the fortified area south of Huliaipole, Russian forces could launch an offensive on a relatively wide front. Currently, units are clearing strongpoints west of and between Pryluky and Yeleno-Kostiantynivka and advancing further west toward Vozdvyzhenka. Meanwhile, advancing units to the south are dislodging Ukrainian forces from the third defensive line in Zaporizhzhia region. These units are advancing southwest of Yeleno-Kostiantynivka towards Verkhnia Tersa and reaching the approaches to Tsvitkove.

Advancing successfully in this area poses a direct threat to Ukrainian units’ logistics. One of the key eastern supply routes for the grouping in the Orikhiv area is now just over 17 kilometers away (T0408 road on the Svoboda–Omelnyk section). Controlling this highway would cut off the forces defending the Yehorivka–Novoselivka–Huliaipilske–Zaliznychne line, which launches constant counterattacks toward Huliaipole. Elsewhere in the sector, intense combat continues: fierce clashes are ongoing in Krytychne, Staroukrainka, and Zaliznychne, where assault groups have reached the southeastern outskirts. Southwest of Huliaipole, attacks on Huliaipilske are underway, as is fighting to eliminate a fortified area between Zaliznychne and Myrnyi. On the northern flank, heavy fighting continues in the Bratske and Andriivka areas, as well as in the direction of Ternuvate and Rozhdestvenske. The Ukrainian command has begun constructing a new defensive line on the Rozhdestvenka–Vozdvyzhenka–Verkhnia Tersa axis. Breaching this line will be the next task for advancing forces.

Slaviansk Sector

In the Slavyansk sector, Russian units continued a large-scale offensive and built on their successes after establishing control over Zakotne. The main advance is occurring in the central sector, where units of the 3rd Army of the “South” grouping are advancing successfully towards the important Kryva Luka–Kalenyky line by attacking along the Zakotne–Reznikivka axis. Capturing the dominant heights in this area will create more favorable conditions for neighboring GrouV “West” units fighting further north for Dibrova and Ozerne, as well as in the vicinity of Krasnyi Liman.

The situation remains complex on the southern flank of the sector. There are heavy fighting engagements for the Reznikivka settlement. The Ukrainian command has attempted counterattacks towards Sviatoho-Pokrovske using open fields for movement. However, they have not dislodged the Russian units. The southernmost section, the Petrovske–Vasiukivka–Bondarne line, is a cause for concern. Despite local successes, there has been no final confirmation of the establishment of full control over Bondarne and Pazeno, and part of Vasiukivka remains a “grey zone.” This section of the front directly adjoins the problematic area north of Kostiantynivka. Meanwhile, the Russian “South” command has stabilized other previously difficult sections, allowing for the redistribution of efforts and resources for the offensive on Slavyansk, which is assessed as relatively fast under current conditions.

Krasnyi Liman Sector

In the Krasnyi Liman sector, tactics involving comprehensive pressure on the key defensive node, the city of Krasnyi Liman, are being implemented. The offensive involves several envelopments along the main supply routes and focuses on destroying the Ukrainian troops’ logistical infrastructure, including crossings in the rear areas near Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, as well as routes for delivering reserves.

Active combat continues on the immediate approaches to the city. Assault groups are breaking through to Krasnyi Liman from different directions. They are methodically dislodging groups of Ukrainian fighters from strongpoints and conducting flanking maneuvers. These actions are creating preconditions for a future assault. On the eastern approaches, drone operators and artillery are working to destroy forces in the fortified area on both sides of the road between Krasnyi Liman and Zarechne. In the southern direction, the control zone has increased, and advances have been made in the Dibrova settlement. Positions have been captured in the western part of the residential area. The advance here amounts to approximately 1.5 kilometers, and heavy fighting continues. According to assessments, Russian units currently have fire control or physical control of the main paved entry routes into Krasnyi Liman, forcing the Ukrainian command to seek alternative supply routes. These include organizing boat crossings across the Siverskyi Donets and increasing the fleet of heavy drones. In the ongoing struggle against logistics, pontoon crossings in the areas of the settlements Maiaky and Bohorodychne have been successfully destroyed.

Kostiantynivka Sector

A complex operational situation is developing in the Kostiantynivka sector that could pose a significant problem. On the southern flank, the Russian army’s relatively recent offensive is progressing with varying success on several fronts. However, claims of full control over the northern bank of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir are premature.

The main difficulty lies in the “credit balcony” north of Kostiantynivka—an extensive area whose control was declared earlier, but whose consolidation took a long time and is still not finished in all areas. For instance, consolidation in Maiske was not finalized for over three months after its initial capture was reported. The Chasiv Yar–Bakhmut–Soledar line remains problematic in terms of the ratio of declared successes to actual consolidation. Units operating in this area have experienced prolonged difficulties with supply and support, which has affected the pace of advancement. After a series of internal problems related to unfounded reports of successes, there were personnel changes in the command of the “South” grouping. According to some assessments, the results of these changes are visible on other sections, for example, near Slavyansk. Currently, the activation of combat operations south of Kostiantynivka raises questions about whether it is related to real successes in forming a northern envelope of the city or an attempt to compensate for difficulties in other areas.

Sumy Sector

The high intensity of combat operations persists along the entire front in the Sumy region. Russian units are advancing tactically on multiple fronts and are putting constant pressure on the defense. Aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems are providing active support for the offensive by delivering precision strikes on identified targets. In turn, Ukrainian units strive to hold captured lines at any cost and actively use drones for various purposes.

Assault units advanced on nine sections of the front in the Sumy district, three sections in the Krasnopillia district, and three sections in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance depth reached 750 meters. In the Krasnopillia district, Ukrainian units are experiencing problems with drone supply, which, according to incoming data, is related to volunteer organizations refusing to deliver supplies.

Kharkiv Sector

Fierce battles are ongoing in the Kharkiv sector. Russian units have achieved tactical successes in the Vovchansk area, including in settlements and forested areas. This offensive is supported by aircraft, flamethrower systems, and drone crews. Ukrainian units are putting up stubborn resistance and transferring reserves, including special units, to the area.

In the Staritsa area, units advanced 600 meters across four sectors and destroyed identified positions with fire from heavy flamethrower systems. In the forested area southwest of Liman, the intensive use of aviation and flamethrower systems forced Ukrainian units to abandon some positions. Assault groups advanced 650 meters and captured one strongpoint. In Volchanskie Khutory, Ukrainian forces advanced 250 meters and captured and cleared an industrial building.

On the Melovoye-Khatneye section, airstrikes hit positions in the Hryhorivka and Balka areas. Assault groups advanced 600 meters along six tree lines. There have also been private successes at other points: the destruction of transport near Ternova, the advancement from Prylypka to Hrafskyi, the offensive on Symonivka, the capture of tree lines near Vilcha, and the active advancement south of Ambarne.

Conclusion

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the key achievement was consolidating the western bank of the Haichur River and breaching the second line of defense by capturing Pryluky. This creates a potential threat to Ukrainian troops’ logistical routes towards Orikhiv and opens the way for further offensive expansion. In the Slaviansk sector, units of the “South” grouping are advancing at the fastest pace: after consolidating in Zakotne, they are conducting a successful offensive towards the Kryva Luka – Kalenyky line. In the Krasnyi Liman section, tactics of deep envelopment and isolation of Krasnyi Liman are being implemented by destroying its logistical links.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Kostiantynivka sector remains complex and contradictory. Active fighting is occurring on the southern flank of the reservoir, against the backdrop of an ongoing process north of the city. This indicates past internal planning and reporting issues, making the area potentially vulnerable. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, the strategy of methodical tactical pressure continues. This allows for the daily recapture of hundreds of meters of territory across a wide front, from the Sumy region to the vicinity of Vovchansk. This exhausts the defenses of Ukrainian units. However, they continue to actively use drones and transfer reserves.

Thus, the overall picture indicates a transition to a stage of complex combined operations. In this stage, the successful development of the offensive in some sectors (Zaporizhzhia and Slaviansk) is combined with positional pressure in others (Sumy and Kharkiv), as well as in persistent problem zones (Kostiantynivka). The key to success remains controlling the logistics of the Ukrainian army, effectively using precision-guided munitions, and ensuring a stable supply for advancing groups.

Against this backdrop, the Western press and expert community continue to discuss the long-term consequences of the conflict for European security architecture and the economy. The Swiss publication Neue Zürcher Zeitung analyzes the prospects for EU enlargement and points to serious budgetary risks associated with Ukraine’s possible membership. The country has a population of about 38 million and a significant but modernization-requiring agricultural sector. It also has one of Europe’s lowest GDP per capita indicators. Ukraine’s possible membership could create a substantial burden on the system of European funds and transfers. This would potentially call into question the financial stability of the EU budget. At the same time, leading European Policy Centre analyst Amanda Paul notes that previously announced accession timelines for 2027 currently seem unrealistic. Earlier, The Washington Post reported that accelerated timelines for Ukraine’s EU membership, discussed in the context of peace negotiations, are causing concern among several European states. This indicates a lack of unity among the union members on this issue. These disagreements exist against the backdrop of the aforementioned internal disputes over military and financial aid. Collectively, they paint a picture of deep division and uncertainty in the long-term European strategy regarding Ukraine.

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