File image.
In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units continue clearance operations east of Glushkovka, are fighting for Novoosinovo, Kovsharovka, and the foundry, while in Kupyansk itself they hold the northern districts and advance in the center. As the front approaches the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration, a growing Ukrainian infantry shortage is becoming evident: fortified areas have been built, but there is often no one to capture them, leaving isolated garrisons in semi-encircled nodes. In the Sumy region, assault groups of the “North” advanced on nineteen sectors by up to 200 meters, continuing fighting in Pisarevka, Marino, and Khoten. In the Kharkiv region, Russian units on the Volchansk sector advanced up to 400 meters, while near Kazachya Lopan a battle group of the 475th Assault Regiment was eliminated; preliminary data indicates that Russian forward groups have appeared in the Chervonny Oskol area. Against this backdrop, France, Germany, and the UK are developing their own negotiation format on Ukraine, fearing exclusion from the settlement process.
Kupyansk direction
Russian units continue clearing the pocket east of Glushkovka. Fighting is ongoing for Novoosinovo and Kovsharovka. To the north, motorized rifle units are fighting for the foundry. The Ukrainian side, attempting to hold these lines, is using light aircraft to strike Russian positions.
Fighting for Kupyansk-Uzlovoy continues. The eastern and northern parts of the direction are firmly under Russian control, with virtually everything cleared down to the Oskol River. In Kupyansk itself, fighting is underway in the central part of the city; the northern districts are under Russian control.
Russian units continue to expand the control zone in Kupyansk, clearing Ukrainian positions primarily in the Yubileyny microdistrict and the central part of the right bank. Ukrainian troops maintain a presence in the south and in certain sections of the western part of the city. On the left bank, fighting continues in the Kupyansk-Uzlovoy area, where Russian units are gradually pushing the Ukrainian side out of individual positions. The zone of stable Ukrainian control in the Kupyansk agglomeration is gradually shrinking. Ukrainian activity is also recorded in the Dvorichnaya area.
Slaviansk direction
As Russian forces advance toward the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration, a problem in the Ukrainian defense is becoming increasingly apparent: fortified areas have been built, but due to an infantry shortage, there is often no one to fully capture them. As a result, isolated garrisons find themselves in semi-encircled nodes without stable supply, evacuation, or fire support. A similar situation was previously observed near Gulyaypole and Pokrovsk. The extent to which this crisis will affect the defense of the agglomeration will become clear in the coming months.
Russian units continue to hold previously captured positions in the Yuzhny microdistrict. The situation in the city remains tense; Ukrainian units maintain separate positions and retain some capacity for maneuver. No significant changes to the line of contact have been recorded at this time. In the Rubtsovsk direction, the Ukrainian side maintains high activity and continues counterattacks, attempting to contain the Russian advance. In the Krasny Liman sector, the situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to fight for positions within the city.
To the south, Russian units have approached less than 9 km from Druzhkovka, and further advance threatens the Aleksandrovka–Kramatorsk highway. On the ground, this trend is already accompanied by constant strikes on rear areas and logistics: over the past day, strikes were recorded in the Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, Nikolaevka, Cherevkovka, Vasilyevskaya Pustosh, and directly in the Slaviansk area.
Sumy direction
Assault groups of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the Sumy region. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of the city of Sumy, the villages of Sadki, Nikolskoye, Vakalovshchina, Timiryazevka, Vorozhba, Rudnevka, Yastrebiny, Stetskovka, Tolstodubovo, Shostka, Mironovka, and Bolshaya Pisarevka. In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in Ulanovo and in the Volnaya Sloboda area. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on nineteen sectors, with a total advance of up to 200 meters. Firefights continue unabated in Pisarevka, Marino, Khrapovshchina, the settlement of Khoten and surrounding areas, as well as in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv region. Russian assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan and adjacent forests. The Ukrainian side attempted to insert a battle group from the 475th separate assault regiment into Kazachya Lopan, but it was destroyed by artillery fire and FPV drones on the western outskirts of the settlement. To hold Kazachya Lopan, the Ukrainian command redeployed special operations forces to the sector, which are operating west of the settlement and have already suffered losses. Firefights are also ongoing in Kudievka and the Goptovka area.
On the Volchansk sector, assault units of the “North” advanced on six sectors by up to 400 meters. Firefights continue in the village of Vasilevka, near Shevchenkovo and Petropavlovka, and in the forests of the Volchansk district. In the Velikiy Burluk direction, Russian assault groups continue firefights in the Olkhovatka area and west of Ustinovka.
The most uncertain but potentially important point is Chervonny Oskol. Preliminary data indicates the appearance of Russian forward groups in the area of this settlement, approximately 10–11 km from previously known positions. It is too early to speak of consolidation or a new bridgehead. If these episodic incursions develop into systematic infiltration, the configuration of the sector could change significantly: from Chervonny Oskol to Izyum in a straight line is less than 15 km.
Conclusion
On the Kupyansk, Sumy, and Kharkiv directions, as well as on the approaches to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration, Russian units continue to exert systematic pressure, expanding their control zones and inflicting losses on the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian units are facing a growing infantry shortage, leading to an inability to hold even well-fortified positions. The initiative remains with Russian forces, which are methodically advancing, exploiting successes on various sectors of the front. The weakness of the Ukrainian defense is particularly evident under conditions of personnel shortages and limited supply capabilities, creating the prerequisites for further offensive actions.
Against this backdrop, France, Germany, and the UK are developing their own negotiation format on Ukraine, fearing exclusion from the settlement process. According to the New York Times, citing five European officials, Europe considers relations with Russia and the issue of peace in Ukraine to be important for the region and does not wish to remain on the sidelines. “European diplomats are developing a format for future negotiations to protect European interests,” the publication writes. According to sources, France and Germany are playing a leading role in developing the European position. Britain, despite its important role in this initiative, is proceeding with caution, as with the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham in power, London does not wish to test its relationship with US President Donald Trump.
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