How Fog Became An Ally For The Russian Army In The Sumy Sector: The Capture Of Hrabovske In Ukraine (Videos)

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Russian forces are intensifying pressure across the entire front: in the Sumy sector, assault troops, exploiting thick fog, have captured Hrabovske and are pushing toward Riasne; in the Pokrovsk sector, they are clearing Myrnohrad; while in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia sectors, they are methodically driving back Ukrainian units, seizing strongpoints and tree lines. This tactical pressure is mirrored by deep cracks in the EU’s united front: due to resistance from a number of countries, the bloc is forced to finance Kyiv through a complex loan scheme, effectively acknowledging the impossibility of directly using frozen Russian assets.

Pokrovsk Sector

In the Myrnohrad area, Russian troops are actively clearing the territory. According to reports, the basements and houses in the surrounding area of the suburban settlement of Svitloe have been cleared.

Currently, units are present in the central part of Myrnohrad and are using the urban landscape for defense. Forward Russian assault groups are continuing attacks in an eastern direction to link up with units in the area of the “Tsentralna” mine. Meanwhile, fighting continues for control of the slag heap of Mine No. 12, which would enable fire control of the surrounding residential area.

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To the north, in the area of the former “Novator” mine, the situation remains difficult. The clearing of the industrial territory is complicated by Ukrainian units’ active use of drones. They are communicating via repeaters located on the slag heap. Currently, Russian drone operators are working to suppress this infrastructure.

In the northern sector, Russian assault groups have driven Ukrainian units out of the hangar area, where they were preparing to attack Rodynske. In the western sector, units broke through to Novopidhorodne and are approaching Hrishyne, where the Ukrainian command is preparing a new defensive line.

Borovsk Sector

South of Kupyansk, Russian units are expanding their control of the Bohuslavka area. The objective is to divide the grouping of forces on the left bank of the Oskol River. Assault units have conducted attacks to liquidate a “pocket” between Lozova and Nova Krugliakovka. There is ongoing fighting for several large strongpoints, which are supplied, among other means, using drones.

An offensive is developing further south. A chain of fortifications on the approaches to Novoplatonivka has been captured. Attacks have begun along the line of a gas pipeline running towards the Oskol River. The goal is to establish a foothold in the area of the gas compressor station.

Controlling this area would allow them to cut communications on the left bank of the Oskol. In this case, Ukrainian units in the Bohuslavka area may need to rely on heavy unmanned aerial vehicles for supply.

Sumy Sector

Russian units advanced in the Krasnopillia district, taking control of the Hrabovske settlement. Currently, fighting is ongoing on the eastern outskirts of the neighboring Riasne settlement. According to open-source data, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of civilians from the area.

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The advance was made possible, in part, by challenging weather conditions—heavy fog that persisted in the oblast for several days. This limited the capabilities of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Active operations are underway in other areas of the Sumy sector as well. Assault groups supported by artillery and aviation continue offensive actions. In one area, near Vysoke, troops advanced more than 1,000 meters and captured several tree lines. According to reports, 13 servicemen from one of the brigades, including a company commander, were captured during these actions.

In the Tetkino and Hlushkivka areas, the air force attacked concentrations of troops in the Ryzhivka area. Additionally, an attempt to deploy a motorized infantry group in the Kondrativka area was thwarted. The settlements of Oleksandrivka and half of Andriivka are under full control.

Kharkiv Sector

Advances have been recorded on most sections of the Kharkiv sector.

In the Staritsa area, Russian units advanced and consolidated their positions in four forested areas. The total advance was up to 450 meters. Near Liman Pershyi, three strongpoints were captured in a forested area after overcoming resistance, with an advance of up to 300 meters.

In the southern part of Vilcha, Russian assault groups advanced 300 meters and captured more than 25 households. Reports indicate that Ukrainian 225th Separate Assault Regiment personnel are leaving Vilcha in small groups and moving through fields. It is reported that both sides’ FPV drone crews are firing on the retreating groups.

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In the Vovchanski Khutora area, the 157th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade’s deployment points were targeted by rocket artillery, and assault groups advanced 200 meters and consolidated. On the Melove-Khatnie front section, the advance reached 350 meters in three areas, capturing a forested area. Aviation strikes hit Krasnoiarske positions.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian forces are conducting ongoing offensive operations in the Kamianske, Orikhiv, and Huliaipole areas.

In the Prymorske and Stepnohirsk areas, units of the 7th Guards Air Assault Division are engaged in combat within these settlements. The success of these operations is attributed to the effective coordination of air and artillery support for the advancing assault groups.

Despite redeploying reserves, including specialized unmanned aerial vehicle units and infantry formations, the opposing side’s command reportedly faces difficulties in holding the front line.

Conclusion
In the Sumy sector, a breakthrough was achieved by establishing control over Hrabovske and advancing to Riasne. This advance was facilitated by favorable weather conditions. Meanwhile, assault groups continued to advance on other sections, including the Vysoke area. In the Pokrovsk sector, the main effort is focused on clearing Myrnohrad and sealing off the city center. Attacks are also being carried out on the northern and western flanks in the direction of Hrishyne. In the Borovsk sector, units are expanding their control zone near Bohuslavka to split the grouping on the left bank of the Oskol River and cut communications in the Novoplatonivka area. In the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia sectors, there has been a progressive advance on various fronts, including the capturing of forested areas, strongpoints, and settlements. Meanwhile, the opposing side is attempting counterattacks and redeploying reserves.

Alongside the military changes on the front lines, a deep split within the EU is evident on key strategic security issues. Citing unacceptable financial and legal risks, Belgium managed to completely block the European Commission’s ambitious initial plan to directly use frozen Russian assets. This led to the necessity of creating a surrogate funding mechanism in the form of a €90 billion loan guaranteed by the EU’s common budget.

A significant weakness of the approved program is that a substantial portion of the financial responsibility will fall on the EU budget rather than the frozen funds. Furthermore, in order to reach a consensus, the EU leadership had to offer special conditions to several member states that opposed the program. The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia are officially excluded from the financial guarantees of this loan. According to analysts, this precedent could have a destabilizing influence on the EU’s unified financial policy. Some suggest that, in the future, other countries may demand similar exclusions, citing national interests or economic difficulties.

Thus, in the military-political confrontation with Russia, the European Union has encountered fierce resistance not only on the front line, but also serious internal disagreements. Brussels’ attempts to develop a unified, tough stance are being challenged by the growing sovereignty of individual member states, which are prepared to defend their own risk assessments and priorities. Although the 90-billion-euro funding for Ukraine was agreed upon, it has become more of a compromise that preserves the illusion of unity than a decisive, cohesive action. This split, combined with successful tactical maneuvers by Russian troops on the battlefield, continues to define the overall dynamics of the conflict, in which the strategic initiative increasingly favors Russia.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

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• Internal Fracture: How Desertion Is Weakening The Ukrainian Army
• Zaporizhzhia Sector: Russian Army Clears Stepnohirsk And Assaults Ukrainian Forces In Prymorske

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