File image.
In the Zaporozhye direction, fighting continued for control of Ternovatoye, with Russian forces making headway in the Ukrainian defenses near Lyubitskoye. In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces have cleared the fortified areas near the mines and advanced towards Dobropolye. In the Sumy direction, Russian forces have captured over 18 households in Novaya Sech and Ivolzhanskoye. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces have advanced 200 meters in Kazachya Lopan and 800 meters in the Volchansk sector. In the Slavyansk direction, Russian forces are advancing in Krasny Liman and striking rear areas. In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces are compressing the Ukrainian forces’ bridgehead near Kurilovka. Meanwhile, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria has exhausted its capabilities for further military support of Kyiv without endangering its own defense.
Zaporozhye direction
In the Stepnogorsk and Primorskoye areas, the Ukrainian forces continue to use drones actively, carrying out strikes on rear areas as well. In Zaporozhye, Ukrainian units are preparing for activation in this sector. There is an ongoing trend of Ukrainian troop accumulation, as well as attempts to infiltrate the Stepnogorsk area in small groups towards Russian positions. In Zaporozhye, Geran drones attack repair sites and warehouses daily to exhaust Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian units still have reserves and, according to some estimates, are planning counterattacks to resume previous operations. Russian forces have advanced deeply near Lyubitskoye, reaching the defense line that prevents the encirclement of Orekhov. Pressure is being maintained, and small advances have been achieved from the upper terrace.
There is particularly fierce fighting for Ternovatoye. Currently, the village is roughly divided in half; however, to secure the flank, full control over it is required. Attacks on Orekhov from the south, from Novodanilovka and Shcherbaki toward Novoandreevka, continue unabated. On the northern front, Ukrainian units are attempting to advance toward Komar. Small groups regularly infiltrate. The extensive gray zone between the forests of Andreevka, Klevtsovo, Poddubnoye, and Voskresenka remains an arena for engagements.
Pokrovsk direction
West of Rodinskoye, Russian forces have cleared Ukrainian forces from the fortified area of the mine and expanded their control zone towards Shevchenko. A “layered cake” situation still persists in the area between Grishino and Rodinskoye, where there is a mixed presence of forces. This area is methodically targeted by Russian drone operators and artillery. North of Grishino, Russian units advanced approximately one and a half kilometers toward Dobropolye, taking control of forest belts.
Sumy direction
Fierce fighting continues across all sectors of the front in the Sumy direction. Assault groups from the “North” military grouping have advanced into more than twenty sectors of the territory. The aviation force, TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system crews, and strike drones have struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Krasnopolie, Sukhodol, Kiyanitsa, Khoten, Grunovka, Belopolye, and Ulanovo.
In the Sumy district, the “North” assault groups advanced up to 900 meters, overcoming the Ukrainian resistance. Russian troops captured more than 18 households in Novaya Sech and Ivolzhanskoye and consolidated on new lines. In the Krasnopolie district, assault forces are fighting in the forests of the Pokrovka area. Over the past day, they advanced up to 400 meters.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping are taking measures to establish a security zone in the Kharkiv direction. They carried out strikes on the military-industrial complex, as well as on concentrations of Ukrainian forces’ personnel and equipment in the areas of Kharkiv, Kazachya Lopan, Tsupovka, Ivanovka, Sosnovy Bor, Bely Kolodez, Vasiltsovka, Vodyanoye, and Kolodeznoye.
In Kazachya Lopan, assault groups advanced over 200 meters and captured approximately 15 homes, where they are consolidating their position. In the Volchansk area, the “North” assault groups have advanced in eleven sectors, with a total advance of 800 meters. Fierce fighting continues in the forest near the previously captured areas of Pokalyano, Karaichnoye, and Volokhovka. Artillery units of the “North” grouping have delivered rocket strikes on Ukrainian unit positions in the Ternovaya and Rybalkino areas.
In the Velikiy Burluk area, the most intense fighting is occurring in the Petro-Ivanovka direction. “North” forces pushed two strong points of the 151st Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian forces out of the area.
Slaviansk direction
Strikes are being delivered to Malinovka, Nikolaevka, Dolgy Forest, and positions west of Rai-Aleksandrovka. Russian units have forward positions in the Krivaya Luka area and further west on the road to Nikolaevka. Russian units repelled two Ukrainian counterattacks in the Karpovka and Olgovka areas. The Ukrainian side incurred losses of up to 15 personnel, but no positions were lost. The fire continues to impact logistics: crossings and transitions in the Oskol, Rubtsy, Studenka, and Yaremovka areas have been struck. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units maintain supply routes through the Svyatogorsk and Bogorodichnoye areas. In Krasny Liman, reports indicate that Russian forces are advancing in the Tsentralny and Yuzhny microdistricts, including the “Voda Donbassa” company command post area. This may indicate a consolidation of control over the southwestern part of the city.
The overall plan appears to be the formation of a pincer movement. The “Center” grouping is fighting on the approaches to Kucherov Yar in the Toretsk area. They are also attacking Rayskoye with the goal of reaching the Dobropolye–Kramatorsk highway. This would cut off the main supply routes from the south. Intensive movement of Ukrainian troops occurs along the road that bypasses Dobropolye. The “West” grouping is storming Liman and pushing back defenses near Svyatogorsk and Korovy Yar. They are aiming to reach the Seversky Donets and cut the M03 highway between Kharkiv and Donetsk.
Kupyansk direction
Russian units continue to push Ukrainian forces out of the bridgehead on the right bank of the Oskol. According to objective control data, a new position has been recorded on the northern outskirts of Kurilovka, between Kurilovka and Podoly. The pocket in which Ukrainian units are located is gradually shrinking. If this trend continues, Ukrainian forces will likely have to retreat closer to the Oskol River, as maintaining control of the bridgehead under flanking pressure is becoming increasingly challenging.
On the left bank, Russian units have advanced about two kilometers from the 152nd kilometer station to the Olivino station and closer to the Eastern Arrival Park station. They are very close to the southern outskirts of Kupyansk. The situation for Ukrainian forces is further complicated by the lack of fully controlled territories in the southern part of the city, which is gradually being captured by Russian forces.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Pokrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Slavyansk, and Kupyansk directions, Russian forces are systematically advancing, expanding their control and wearing down Ukrainian personnel and equipment. In the Zaporozhye direction, there are ongoing heavy fighting engagements with the prospect of encircling Orekhov. In the Pokrovsk area, strongpoints are being cleared, and the offensive toward Dobropolye is progressing. In the Sumy and Kharkiv directions, the “North” assault groups are consistently capturing positions in settlements and forest belts. In the Slaviansk and Kupyansk areas, conditions are being created to interdict key logistics arteries and compress the Ukrainian forces’ bridgeheads. Aviation, artillery, and drones are systematically destroying supply systems and command posts, which is depriving Ukrainian units of the ability to stabilize the front.
Against this backdrop, Bulgaria has made statements regarding the limits of military aid to Kyiv. In response to a parliamentary inquiry, Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized: “After thirteen packages of military support, Bulgaria has reached the limit of what it can provide from the armed forces’ resources without harming national defense.” He added that the Bulgarian army’s cessation of aid does not mean an end to support through other channels or a reduction in defense industry activities. Radev had previously announced the end of weapons supplies to Ukraine. This position reflects the growing reluctance of several European countries to continue supplying weapons to Kyiv. As has been emphasized repeatedly, this prolongs the conflict and leads to further escalation.
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