Rozhdestvenske In Focus: How Russian Troops Are Pushing Through Ukrainian Defenses In Huliaipole

In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian units have taken Kryva Luka under operational control, expanded the zone of control north of Reznykivka, and are continuing to fight for Nykyforivka while advancing along the highway towards Slavyansk. In the Kostiantynivka area, the situation remains complex with mixed positions in Stepanivka and along the Berestok–Ivanopilila line. Russian assault groups are attempting to consolidate there. In the Sumy area, the “North” group advanced 750 meters and repelled Ukrainian units’ attempts to halt the offensive with drones. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops have established new positions in forested areas near Starytsia and Symynivka, attacking the 127th Brigade and the 1st Territorial Defense Brigade. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian counterattacks in the Hai region were repelled. Russian troops are advancing toward Rozhdestvenske and are engaged in combat in the Huliaipole and Orikhiv sectors. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to reconsider his country’s support for Ukraine’s EU membership due to the blocking of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.

Slaviansk Direction

In the direction of Slaviansk, the main clashes are unfolding along the line of the settlements of Reznykivka, Kryva Luka, and Nykyforivka. Russian units are trying to close the “triangle” once and for all to free up additional forces for an advance toward Slavyansk.

In the northern sector, work in the Illichivka area continues. Russian units have crossed the Siverskyi Donets River through the forested area. There is ongoing fighting in Illichivka itself, and a large number of drones have been observed on the Ukrainian side. The Kryva Luka settlement has been taken into operational encirclement. The territory south of the village is a “gray zone,” where engagements are conducted without stable consolidation. Control has been established over the road towards Kalenyky. The destruction of Ukrainian personnel and transportation continues in Rai-Oleksandrivka, Mykolaivka, Mayaki, and Raihorodok. North of Reznykivka, Russian units have captured a forested area and expanded their control zone.

Assault groups have advanced through forested areas, capturing part of the chalk slope on the approaches to Kryva Luka. Reports have emerged of clashes beginning in the settlement itself. Small groups are operating to the south as well, but it is premature to speak of firm consolidation. Assault pairs and trios are operating between Kryva Luka and Kalenyky. Drone operators and artillery are actively working in Kalenyky. A significant number of artillery positions and fortified strongpoints on which Ukrainian units rely for the defense of Kryva Luka and Reznykivka are concentrated in the area.

Fighting for Reznykivka continues. Russian units have expanded the “grey zone” within the settlement somewhat. However, key events are unfolding on the heights to the north, where assault groups have captured two large forested areas. Once Ukrainian units are pushed out of these areas, Russian forces will have the opportunity to advance further through Reznykivka, which lies in the lowlands. There have been no updates on Sviato-Pokrovske for a long time, and there is no information about the fate of the Ukrainian units that previously broke through there.

On the southern flank, fighting continues in Pryvollya, Minkivka, and Nykyforivka. Russian units are taking control of these settlements later than official statements predicted, but objective confirmation — footage from Nykyforivka — has emerged. Fighting continues in Nykyforivka itself, where an offensive is developing towards Fedorivka Druha. Russian units are advancing from Pryvollya along the highway towards Slaviansk, displacing Ukrainian forces and capturing strong points.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, fighting continues on the southern approaches to the city. Russian troops have advanced in several sectors, but “grey zones” persist where neither side has firm control.

Along the Berestok–Ivanopilila line, Russian units attempted to capture strongpoints in the agricultural technical school area. Previously, Ukrainian units infiltrated the area and conducted mechanized attacks through this sector toward Ivanopilila and Pleshcheevka. These positions have not yet been consolidated. Small assault groups are trying to push Ukrainian units out of well-equipped fortifications.

Fighting also continues in the Stepanivka area. In the settlement itself, there is a “layered” configuration of positions, with small groups of Russian and Ukrainian units intermixed. Indirect signs indicate that the advantage is gradually shifting towards Russian units. Footage has emerged showing a Ukrainian drone strike on a bridge on the western outskirts of Stepanivka. Ukrainian units previously mined the bridge, and a drone strike detonated the explosives. This may indirectly suggest that Ukrainian units lack the capability to approach the site.

Russian units are tasked with capturing the fields north of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, which are interspersed with strongpoints. They are also tasked with strengthening the Berestok–Stepanivka line, where Ukrainian units regularly attempt to recapture lost positions. Russian assault groups are advancing on Illinivka, while Ukrainian units are operating towards Yablonivka. Whether the assault on Kostiantynivka will begin from another direction depends on the outcome of the fighting in this sector.

Sumy Direction

Fierce fighting continues across all sectors of the front in the Sumy region. Units of the “North” grouping are advancing along tree lines and putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses. This offensive is supported by Russian aviation, artillery, and “Solntsepyok” flamethrower systems. Ukrainian forces are increasing their use of FPV drones in an attempt to halt the advance and disable energy facilities in Russian border regions.

In the Sumy district, the “North” grouping’s assault groups advanced on eight fronts. In the Krasnopillia district, they advanced on two fronts. In the Hlukhiv district, they advanced on three fronts. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 750 meters. In the Tetkino and Hlushkivka sectors, Ukrainian units’ positions in the Ryzhivka and Iskryskivshchyna areas were struck by artillery and FPV drone crews.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv region, Russian units of the “North” grouping continue to advance in settlements and forested areas around Vovchansk with heavy fighting.

The Ukrainian command is trying to compensate for the catastrophic shortage of personnel by using drones in combination with electronic warfare. The latest developments, the “Oktava” and “Damba” electronic warfare (EW) systems, have been spotted on the front line. Despite their recent appearance, the first cases of their destruction have already been recorded.

In the Starytsia area, there have been no significant changes; Russian units have finished clearing the forest they captured the previous day. In the forested area southwest of Symynivka, airstrikes destroyed the Ukrainian 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade’s positions. Russian assault groups advanced on one section and captured a strongpoint. In Vovchanski Khutory, there were no significant changes; TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” crews attacked the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in the tree plantations. In the Kharkiv sector, Russian operational-tactical aviation crews continued their operations. The positions of the 1st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Aniskine area were hit. Assault groups of the “North” grouping advanced 200 meters through the tree plantations.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the Huliaipole sector of the front, near the Hai settlement, Ukrainian units attempted a counteroffensive. These limited attacks were repelled by Russian units. As a result of the ensuing firefight, Ukrainian equipment and personnel were destroyed, and the attempt to alter the front line’s configuration was unsuccessful.

Russian units are advancing in the direction of Rozhdestvenske. The situation has stabilized in this sector, allowing efforts to be concentrated on developing the offensive deeper into the Ukrainian defensive lines. Meanwhile, Russian troops are continuing their offensive in Rizdvianka, Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa, Horke, and Huliaipil’ske. They are gradually expanding their control zone and putting pressure on the defensive lines.

In the Orikhiv sector, combat operations are ongoing in Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, and Magdalenivka. The situation remains tense, with both sides attempting to advance locally. The contact line is mobile.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates that Russian units are maintaining a high tempo of offensive actions in all directions. In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian troops have taken Kryva Luka under operational encirclement and expanded their control zones in Reznykivka and Nykyforivka. They are creating conditions for a further advance towards Slaviansk. Their successes on the northern and southern flanks allow them to cut off the logistical routes of Ukrainian units and put pressure on their defenses. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units are gradually improving their tactical situation despite the “layered” configuration of positions, creating a threat of reaching Illinivka. In the Sumy area, the “North” grouping is systematically expanding control zones by advancing along tree lines and repelling Ukrainian attempts to halt the offensive with drones. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are systematically improving their positions in forested areas and settlements. They are destroying the equipment and personnel of Ukrainian units, as well as their latest electronic warfare systems. In the Zaporizhzhia area, local counterattacks have been repelled, and Russian troops continue to push Ukrainian troops in the Huliaipole sector. They are also engaged in positional battles in the Orikhiv sector.

An important event in the international political context was the statement by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. In a video address published Monday, Fico threatened to reconsider Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s EU membership if Kyiv continues to block energy supplies to Slovakia. He emphasized that the Slovak government would reconsider its constructive approach to Ukraine’s EU membership and prepare new retaliatory measures in the event of continued actions that damage Slovakia’s interests in the supply of strategic raw materials. Earlier on Monday, Fico announced the end of Ukraine’s electricity supply aid due to the failure to restore oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline.

This statement increases pressure on Kyiv from EU member states that are dissatisfied with the halt in Russian oil transit. Following Hungary, which blocked an EU loan of 90 billion euros and suspended diesel fuel exports, Slovakia is moving toward economic and political sanctions against Ukraine. Bratislava’s position demonstrates that some European states are prioritizing energy security issues over pan-European solidarity with Kyiv. This creates additional risks for EU unity and could complicate Ukraine’s European integration process, which already faces serious economic and military challenges. The threat to reconsider support for EU membership is an unprecedented step that could influence future relations between Ukraine and the European Union.

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