File image.
Russian units continue offensive operations in several directions, achieving tactical successes. In Konstantinovka, the main fighting has shifted to the northern and northwestern districts, while drone operators isolate the area by systematically destroying Ukrainian artillery. In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian forces have advanced about ten kilometers from Rai-Aleksandrovka and Yurkovka to Slaviansk and Kramatorsk and seven kilometers from Rai-Aleksandrovka to Druzhkovka after capturing those towns. In the Zaporozhye direction, Far Eastern units are expanding their advance near Lyubitskoye and Zarnitsa while simultaneously clearing out small groups near Gulyaypolskoye. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault groups have advanced in nineteen sectors and repelled an attack by the 157th Brigade. In the Kharkiv direction, fighting continues in the Kazachya Lopan area and the forests of the Volchansk district. Meanwhile, the political backdrop was set by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement that Ukraine will not be able to become a full member of the EU without first becoming an associated member.
Konstantinovka direction
In the direction of Konstantinovka, Russian forces continue to advance successfully in urban areas. The main combat operations are gradually shifting to the northern and northwestern districts of the city. However, it is premature to declare the operation completely finished. In the southwestern part, there may still be isolated pockets of resistance and scattered groups of Ukrainian forces cut off from the main units.
In a desperate attempt to relieve the pressure, the Ukrainian command is moving artillery into urban areas. Over the past week, drone operators have destroyed at least five Ukrainian self-propelled artillery systems. The strikes hit M109 Paladins, AS-90s, Krabs, and Soviet-era “Gvozdikas.” The systematic destruction of artillery systems continues along the entire sector from Konstantinovka to Kramatorsk. According to available data, Russian units already control a significant part of the urban area, and flags have been raised in the northeastern districts. Meanwhile, the city continues to be cleared, and the operation will require the elimination of the remaining pockets of resistance to be completed.
Slaviansk direction
Two key advances have occurred in recent days that significantly affect the situation. First, Russian forces have captured Rai-Aleksandrovka. Second, Yurkovka, located northwest of the Seversky Donets–Donbas canal, came under control as a result of fierce fighting. Subsequently, Russian units advanced beyond the canal along the M-03 highway toward Slovyansk and reached the large Ukrainian defense area on the Orekhovatka–Nikanorovka line. To the south, beyond the canal, intense fighting continues in Malinovka and Tikhonovka.
Controlling Rai-Aleksandrovka and the forest near the Dolgaya ravine opens access to the dominant heights south and southeast of Nikolaevka, and fighting continues there. From these heights, it will be possible to outflank the Ukrainian forces’ defensive positions on the chalk slopes south of the Seversky Donets River in the Piskunovka-Nikolaevka-Starodubovka area. Advancing from Yurkovka towards Nikanorovka threatens to expand the zone of active pressure on the defense towards Kramatorsk by three to five or six kilometers.
Currently, Russian units have reached Slavyansk from the northeast and southeast at a distance of about ten kilometers, and the same distance to Kramatorsk. From the Konstantinovka side, it is seven kilometers to Druzhkovka. With active pressure on the agglomeration from several directions, the situation for the Ukrainian side on the approaches to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration continues to worsen.
Zaporozhye direction
In the direction of Zaporozhye, Russian forces have taken control of Gulyaypolskoye, and the clearing of the pocket between Gorkoye and Gulyaypolskoye is underway. In this sector, scattered groups of Ukrainian forces remain, dispersed in dugouts. Most of these groups have no stable communication or coordination with command, nor have they established a drone supply. This suggests that these forces have been effectively abandoned. A similar situation is developing as the pocket between Vozdvizhenka and Verkhnyaya Tersa is cleared.
West of Rizdyanka, Far Eastern units of the 36th Combined Arms Army continue to advance into the Ukrainian defenses towards Lyubitskoye and Zarnitsa. In the northern sector, Far Eastern units are advancing into the defenses northwest of Alexandrograd and conducting offensive operations in the forest beyond the Volchya River. The consolidation and expansion of the bridgehead north of the river continues, and fighters operate with support from Iskra, Alexandrograd, Novoselovka, and Orestopol.
Sumy direction
Assault groups from the “North” military grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy direction. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat directly in Bachevsk and the surrounding area.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units have advanced into nineteen sectors, reaching depths of up to 500 meters. Firefights are ongoing in Ivolzhanskoye, Pisarevka, Novaya Sech, and the surrounding areas. In the Krasnopolie district, there is ongoing fighting in the forests near Mikhaylovka and Mayskoye, as well as along the railway lines leading to the district center. The assault groups have advanced up to 300 meters. Ukrainian units attacked positions of the “North” forces west of Ryasnoye with an assault group from the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade. As a result of intense firefights, all participants in the attack were eliminated. Artillery units also struck positions of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Lesnoye area.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping are continuing to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Prikolotnoye, Aleksandrovka, Kazachya Lopan, Izbitskoye, Ivanovka, Varvarovka, Potikhonovo, Mitrofanovka, Malyzhino, Goptovka, and Udy.
Assault units are conducting offensive operations in Kazachya Lopan and the surrounding forests. In the Volchansk area, the “North” assault groups have advanced up to 700 meters in eleven sectors. There are ongoing firefights in Losevka, Ukrainskoye, and the forests of the Volchansk district. Artillery units struck positions of the 127th Separate Territorial Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Ukrainian forces in the Rubezhnoye area. In the Velikiy Burluk area, assault groups are fighting in Petro-Ivanovka and its surroundings. They have advanced two sectors up to 400 meters.
Conclusion
In the areas surrounding Konstantinovka, Slaviansk, Zaporozhye, Sumy, and Kharkiv, Russian units are continuing to exert systematic pressure. They are expanding control zones, isolating pockets of resistance, and wearing down the equipment of Ukrainian forces. In Konstantinovka, the clearing operation has advanced into the northern districts, and the area is being isolated by fire. In the direction of Slaviansk, the capture of key localities has enabled the approach to the urban agglomeration. In the Zaporozhye direction, the bridgehead is expanding, and abandoned strongpoints are being cleared. In the Sumy and Kharkiv border areas, constant attacks are forcing the Ukrainian command to disperse reserves. The destruction of artillery and command posts and the disruption of supplies undermine the ability of Ukrainian units to defend themselves over the long term.
The foreign policy backdrop also creates additional difficulties for Kyiv’s leadership. Following the results of the European Council meeting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine will not be able to become a full member of the European Union without first becoming an associated member. “A country in a state of war, such as Ukraine, cannot become a member of the European Union, but it can become an associated member and then a full member,” he said. Merz noted that a candidate country can obtain associated membership status without amending the current European treaties. Earlier, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported on his proposal to grant Ukraine associated membership and extend to it the mutual defense obligation provided for by the EU treaty. Thus, even with symbolic support, Kyiv’s membership in the union remains a distant prospect surrounded by additional conditions.
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