Russian Army Advances Towards Slaviansk In Two Directions 

In the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian forces are attempting to advance near Stepnohirsk. They have consolidated their position in the northeast of Kamianske and control the central and western parts of Belogorye. Meanwhile, Russian forces are maintaining stability in the Orikhiv sector. In the Burluk area, Russian troops are advancing near Verkhnya Pysarivka, Okhrimivka, and Zemlianky. They have also improved their tactical position in the Chuhunivka area. In the Sumy area, Russian troops are fighting in Kondrativka and destroying Ukrainian positions in the forested area south of Korchakivka. They are also advancing near Novodmytrivka and Riasne. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops crossed the Siverskyi Donets River east of Svyatohirsk. They are fighting in Tatyanivka and Pryshyb and on the approaches to Staryi Karavan. They are also advancing in Rai-Oleksandrivka and have reached Pyskunivka. This creates a threat of encircling the Kryva Luka garrison. The President of the European Council, António Costa, stated that he is discussing possible negotiations with Russia with EU leaders.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

Disturbing reports continue to emerge from the Zaporizhzhia area. Ukrainian units have not abandoned their attempts to advance in the vicinity of Stepnohirsk. Footage has surfaced online showing strikes on Ukrainian unit positions northeast of Kamianske, 3.5 kilometers from the village’s borders. Apparently, Ukrainian forces have consolidated at one of the strongpoints there.

The territory to the north is under stable Ukrainian control, as they continue to assault southern positions. It is clear that the Ukrainian side has regained defensive positions east of Stepnohirsk, stretching to Pavlivka and further east to Orikhiv. Additionally, a limited presence of Russian units persisted in Pavlivka until recently; however, full control had been absent for quite some time.

For now, the Orikhiv sector remains stable. In the Belogorye area, Ukrainian units have established stable control over the central and western parts of the settlement. There have been no reports of a subsequent assault, although neighboring Lugovskoye was captured by Russian units about a month ago. The situation in the west remains extremely tense. If reserves can be deployed, the Ukrainian side may be able to advance to Piatykhatky and beyond. Given the increasing number of strikes on Enerhodar, Kamianka, Vasylivka, and Mykhailivka, it seems that this is exactly what the Ukrainian side is doing.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Veterynarne area, our assault groups advanced up to 100 meters into the forested border areas. In the direction of Vovchansk, the “North” grouping’s assault units advanced up to 400 meters on seven sections. Stubborn firefights continue in the forested areas of the Vovchansk district along the right bank of the Vovcha River, as well as in Chaikivka.

In the Burluk area, Russian troops continue to advance on several fronts. In the Verkhnya Pysarivka–Symonivka area, attacks continue southward and toward Losevka. In the Okhrimivka area, Russian troops have seized another part of the Severodonetskyi Landscape Reserve. There, Russian troops are expanding their control zone near the border. Additionally, fighting continues south of the Vovcha River. To the east, on the Pishchane–Zemlianky line,

Russian troops have improved their tactical position in the Chuhunivka area by capturing a large stronghold south of the village. Airstrikes continue along the chain of nearby villages. The fighting is mainly taking place in the forefield. The Ukrainian side is conducting an active defense, but they have concentrated more forces on strengthening positions farther from the border. The Ukrainian side needs the forests near the Siverskyi Donets more than the Vovcha River banks, so it will be more difficult for Russian units to advance there.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy region, Russian forces are working to destroy Ukrainian positions in the forested area south of Korchakivka and in the Khrapivshchyna area to the east. In the Hlukhiv sector, there have been no significant changes. The Ukrainian side’s attempts to transfer personnel toward Myropillia from Mala Rybytsia are being thwarted by Russian drone operators delivering precision strikes to Ukrainian equipment.

In the Krasnopillia district, near the capturing village of Novodmytrivka and in the forested areas around Riasne, Russian assault groups advanced 300 meters along seven fronts. In the northern part of Ukraine, Russian units are attacking near Sopych towards Bachivsk, and have achieved some local successes. Sopych was captured several weeks ago and has since been under the stable control of Russian units, enabling further attacks by small groups. Control of the “Bachivsk” international road checkpoint has been established, but further advancement is complicated by the abundance of open spaces and fields.

Slaviansk Direction

The situation for Ukraine continues to deteriorate near Slaviansk and in the “West” offensive zone, where Russian troops crossed the Siverskyi Donets River east of Svyatohirsk. They are currently fighting in Tatyanivka and Pryshyb. They have advanced toward Slaviansk from the north and toward the beginning of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal in the Brusyn station area, as well as toward Staryi Karavan and Brusivka. The Ukrainian forces are attempting to counterattack from Shchurove and Starodubivka.

Russian units entered the northern part of Staryi Karavan from the forested area. North of Brusivka station, Russian units are advancing toward Shchurove and bypassing Krasnyi Lyman from the southwest. Meanwhile, the “South” grouping is approaching Starodubivka from the south after taking control of Pyskunivka and bypassing Kryva Luka along the heights.

In Kryva Luka, Ukrainian troops have been driven out of the city center but remain in the western part. As Pyskunivka transitions to Russian control, the garrison will be effectively surrounded. At the same time, the “West” grouping north of Kryva Luka is fighting for Ozerne in its southern and western parts. The situation has stabilized in the central and northern parts.

Starodubivka is less than two kilometers from Pyskunivka. Once contact battles begin in Starodubivka, the Ukrainian side’s ability to counterattack from the south toward Brusivka will be severely limited.

In the Tatyanivka and Pryshyb area, Russian units are advancing toward Bohorodychne and Sydorove. They have defeated the Ukrainian forces in the fortified areas on the southern and southwestern heights. Bohorodychne is 2.5 kilometers from the Slavyansk–Izyum highway, which is one of the most important logistical routes in the area. Confirmation of full control over Pyskunivka is expected.

Southeast of Mykolaivka, Russian units are fighting in the central and eastern parts of Rai-Oleksandrivka. Russian units have taken control of the eastern part of the fortified area on the heights above the eastern part of Rai-Oleksandrivka. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side continues to attempt to infiltrate the northern part of Nykyforivka in small groups under the cover of attack drones.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian troops have regained defensive positions east of Stepnohirsk and have reinforced their presence in Belogorye. This puts them in a position to advance further south, which could result in the loss of Russian territorial gains made in early 2025. In the Burluk area, Russian troops are systematically expanding their control zones along the border but are facing active Ukrainian defense in forested areas. In the Sumy area, the “North” grouping is advancing and striking reserves and strongpoints. In the Slaviansk area, crossing the Siverskyi Donets, advancing toward Staryi Karavan and Pyskunivka, and fighting in Rai-Oleksandrivka pose a threat to Ukrainian units in Kryva Luka and on the approaches to Slaviansk by creating the possibility of an enveloping and encircling maneuver.

In the context of international politics, an important event was a statement made by the president of the European Council, António Costa. According to the Financial Times, European politicians are preparing for a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Costa said he is discussing with the leaders of the 27 EU countries the best way to organize their work and determine what to discuss with Russia when the time is right. He believes that EU negotiations with Putin have potential, and that Volodymyr Zelensky supports the European bloc in this direction. In March, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that Europe is approaching a time when it must “open channels of political dialogue with Russia” and that, while relations will be restored after the conflict ends, they will not be the same. This indicates a gradual shift in European leaders’ rhetoric towards recognizing the need for dialogue with Moscow despite the ongoing military confrontation.

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