Konstantinovka Flanks Collapse, Road To Druzhkovka Opens

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups have advanced east of Vysokaya Yaruga, forming a bridgehead for a push toward the E105 highway and expanding drone operational range toward Kharkiv. In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units have nearly established control over Novoplatonovka and cut the logistics of Ukrainian forces in the Borovskaya Andreevka area, pushing them back toward the Oskol River. In Sumy direction, “North” assault forces have advanced on 21 sectors up to 500 meters and are fighting in Ulanovo, on the approaches to Malaya Slobodka, and in the Ivolzhanskoye area. In the Konstantinovka direction, after clearing the “pocket” near Stepanovka, Russian units advanced in Chasov Yar, taking part of the Shevchenko microdistrict, and are leveling the flanks for further advance toward Druzhkovka. At the same time, NATO and EU countries are increasing pressure on Greece to transfer up to 200 missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.

Kharkiv direction

Fighting continues in the areas of Volokhovskoye, Zakharovka, Yurchenkovo, and the settlement of Bely Kolodez. The situation remains tense, with both sides vying for control over individual positions and approaches to these locations. On the Velikiy Burluk sector, fighting is underway west of Petro-Ivanovka, as well as in the areas of Artelnoye, Budarki, and Zemlyanki. This sector is gradually becoming one of the zones of increased activity for Russian units, who have managed to advance east of Vysokaya Yaruga.

The likely objective is to push toward Vysokaya Yaruga and Alisovka, with a subsequent breakthrough to the E105 highway. This route holds significant operational value, as it connects Belgorod with Kharkiv and may be viewed as one of the key axes for further offensive development. The growing activity of Russian forces in the Tokarevka and Vysokaya Yaruga areas points not to localized skirmishes for isolated positions, but to the systematic creation of a more advantageous bridgehead for exerting pressure toward vital transport corridors.

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue offensive operations in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan and the adjacent forests. On the Volchansk sector, assault groups have advanced up to 500 meters across twelve sectors. Firefights continue in Volokhovskoye, Zakharovka, Yurchenkovo, Bely Kolodez, and the forests of the Volchansk district. On the Velikiy Burluk sector, Russian assault groups are fighting west of Petro-Ivanovka and in the forests near the villages of Artelnoye, Budarki, and Zemlyanki.

Kupyansk direction

In the Kupyansk direction, active hostilities are unfolding on the southern sector near Zagryzovo. In the Borovskaya Andreevka area, Russian units continue to advance toward the Oskol River. Ukrainian forces still maintain a presence in Boguslavka and Novaya Kruglyakovka, attempting to break through the defense and extract their groups, which are effectively encircled. Novoplatonovka and a section of the R-79 highway with its fortifications have almost entirely come under Russian control.

To the north, near Boguslavka, a gray zone has formed. Here, Ukrainian units are constrained in their actions due to the impossibility of withdrawing beyond the Oskol, and because, further south, Russian troops have taken control of Ukrainian fortifications, thereby severing logistics chains. In Zagryzovo itself, intense aerial engagements are ongoing, but the Ukrainian side has not attempted a breakthrough to the north. Thus, on the Kupyansk direction, Russian units are systematically expanding their control zone, depriving Ukrainian forces of maneuverability and narrowing the bridgehead east of the Oskol. Supply to the encircled groups is becoming increasingly difficult, calling into question the Ukrainian side’s ability to hold its current lines.

Sumy direction

Assault groups of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into Sumy direction. In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in Ulanovo and on the approaches to Malaya Slobodka. In the Sumy district, Russian assault forces have advanced across twenty-one sectors, with a total advance of 500 meters. Active fighting also continues in the forests south of Ivolzhanskoye. In the Krasnopolie district, firefights are taking place in forest areas and the border village of Prokhody.

In the Velikopisarevka district, the Ukrainian side, using the 36th Railway Restoration Brigade, is fortifying positions along the Soldatskoye – Velikaya Pisarevka line, indicating the Ukrainian command’s intent to establish defensive lines deeper in the rear. Multiple advances across a wide front in Sumy direction are forcing Ukrainian units to disperse their reserves and fight on several axes simultaneously. The “stretching” tactic employed by the “North” grouping is yielding results: Russian forces are systematically capturing strongpoints, expanding their control zone, and creating the conditions for further advance.

Konstantinovka direction

In the Konstantinovka direction, Russian units continue to methodically improve their tactical position. On the approach to Dolgaya Balka, in the area between Stepanovka and Ilyinovka, another “pocket” where Ukrainian forces had maintained a presence was cleared. Slightly west of Stepanovka, the tactical situation has also improved. Northeast of Konstantinovka, in the Chasov Yar area, Russian assault groups have advanced deeper into the settlement, taking part of the Shevchenko microdistrict. There, they managed to push Ukrainian units out of the nearby forests, creating the prospect for further advance in the western part of the city.

The main activity has now shifted to the flanks, where units are leveling the front line. To avoid repeating the problems encountered during the capture of other cities—where unsecured flanks led to severe consequences—it is necessary to complete the work east and west of Konstantinovka. Only then will it be possible to establish a stable bridgehead for further advance toward Alekseevo-Druzhkovka and Druzhkovka.

Conclusion

In the Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Sumy, and Konstantinovka directions, Russian units continue to exert systematic pressure, expanding their control zones and disrupting the logistics chains of Ukrainian forces. In Kharkiv direction, the advance toward the E105 highway and the steady offensive in the Volchansk and Velikiy Burluk sectors are threatening key communications and bringing drone launch positions closer to Kharkiv. Near Kupyansk, Russian forces are compressing the Ukrainian bridgehead east of the Oskol, taking control of roads and strongpoints, leaving isolated groups in operational encirclement. In Sumy direction, incessant attacks across dozens of sectors are forcing the Ukrainian command to disperse its reserves and lose footholds in the border area. On the Konstantinovka direction, the clearance of the flanks and the advance in Chasov Yar are setting the stage for a new thrust toward Druzhkovka.

The external dimension continues to influence the course of hostilities. According to reports from Ekathimerini, NATO and EU countries are attempting to persuade Greece to transfer up to 200 missiles for American Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Athens is under pressure from partners demanding that it provide Kyiv with PAC-2 missiles, some of which have been in service for 23 years and, according to Ukrainian officials, are approaching the end of their service life. Notably, Greece was offered the option of selling the missiles to Norway, which could then pass them on to Ukraine, but no positive response came from the Greek leadership. This episode illustrates both the persistence of allies in seeking to bolster Ukrainian air defense with additional munitions and the reluctance of certain EU countries to further deplete their own arsenals.

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