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In the Sumy region, Russian forces captured Zapsillia and Riasne, advancing 900 meters. They are currently engaged in combat in Ivolzhanske, Kondrativka, and Pisarivka. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups advanced 500 meters into the Vovchansk sector. They are fighting in Karaichne and Okhrimivka and have also captured Hranove. They have expanded their control zone near Veterynarne. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops have taken full control of Vozdvizhevka and the Ternovate heights. These heights dominate the terrain up to the Dnipro River and Zaporizhzhia. Russian troops are advancing towards Liubitske and Omelnyk. In the Dnipropetrovsk area, the situation remains complex. Ukrainian units are operating in small groups, creating a “grey zone” and a “layered cake” of positions. The Ukrainian side is suffering daily losses of 200 personnel and 5–7 units of automotive equipment. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that European countries must change their policy toward the conflict in Ukraine and called on Europe to lead negotiations for a settlement, not allowing anyone else to seize the initiative.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 900 meters along twenty-two fronts. The “North” assault units overcame resistance and expelled the remaining Ukrainian servicemen from the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade in Zapsillia, thereby establishing control over the area. There are ongoing firefights in Ivolzhanske, Kondrativka, Pisarivka, and the surrounding area.
In the Kondrativka area, Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack with an assault group from the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The group was destroyed by comprehensive fire engagement at a distance from the positions of Russian troops.
In the Krasnopillia district, fighting continues between Lisne and Taratutyne. Assault units from the 34th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade pushed Ukrainian forces from the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade out of Riasne and established control over the settlement. The Ukrainian side made two counterattack attempts with assault groups of the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade to demonstrate a presence in Novodmytrivka and Riasne.
Kharkiv Direction
Firefights continue in Hranove. In the direction of Vovchansk, the “North” grouping’s assault units advanced up to 500 meters on eleven fronts. Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights in Karaichne and Okhrimivka, as well as in the forested areas of the Vovchansk district.
In the direction of Velykyi Burluk, Russian servicemen advanced approximately 1,100 meters on four fronts, including Budarka and the forested areas of the Kupyansk district and the Novovasylivka area.
Units of the “North” grouping have expanded their control zone near the recently captured village of Veterynarne. Russian assault groups pushed Ukrainian units out of Hranove and cleared part of the forested areas adjacent to the village. Neighboring Shevchenko has entered the combat zone, though there has been no information regarding Russian troops attempting to consolidate their presence there.
It is likely that the clearing of this sector will only be carried out after control is established over Kozacha Lopan. This would allow Ukrainian units in Shevchenko to be placed in a “fire bag.” An assault on Kozacha Lopan itself is unlikely in the near future due to the size of the settlement. Capturing it is not a primary task for Russian troops.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the “East” troop grouping continue advancing westward towards Liubitske and Omelnyk, which are key points on the eastern supply route for Ukrainian units in Orikhiv.
Russian assault units have cleared the western part of Vozdvizhevka, taking full control of the settlement and strongpoints on its outskirts. With the fall of Ukrainian defenses in Vozdvizhevka, the Ternovate Heights came under the control of the “East” grouping. These heights dominate the terrain west of the Haichur River for 60 kilometers, extending to the Dnipro River and Zaporizhzhia.
West of Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa, fighting continues for tree lines in the direction of Rivne, as well as for the sector along the railway north of Tsvitochne. South of the Verkhnia Tersa River, Ukrainian units are counterattacking from the direction of Babashi southwest of Horke towards Zheleznodorozhne.
To the south, Russian units have reached Novoselivka from the north through the second defense line of Ukrainian troops north of the road to Omelnyk. Fierce fighting continues in Huliaipilske, to the south on the approaches to Novoselivka from the southeast, and in tree lines between Vovshebne and Lugovskoye.
Dnipropetrovsk Direction
In the Dnipropetrovsk area, the situation on the northern flank remains extremely complex. While the “East” grouping is having success in the Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa areas of the Zaporizhzhia region, the situation in the Novooleksandrivka area of the Dnipropetrovsk region is very tense.
Ukrainian units are infiltrating small groups into the rear of Russian troops, a proven tactic. Consequently, Ukrainian groups have dispersed up to Yehorivka, placing the entire salient from the Andriivske forest to the Yanchur River in a “grey zone.” In the Ivanivka area, Ukrainian units are trying to cut off the salient and have dispersed groups as far as the Yalta settlement.
Thus, Ukraine is trying to halt the advance of Russian troops in the Dnipropetrovsk region and create a buffer zone to prevent an offensive. Despite the complex situation, Russian units periodically withdraw personnel from the front lines to attack the area with aircraft, artillery, and drones.
Ukrainian units obviously have a shortage of personnel, but they compensate for it with an airspace advantage due to drones. The only positive aspect is that this advantage does not enable Ukrainian forces to advance because insufficiently trained servicemen are being killed in the assault. Consequently, a positional confrontation is occurring along the combat line.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian units have the opportunity to advance towards Liubitske and Omelnyk by establishing control over Vozdvizhevka and the dominant heights. This also threatens the logistical routes of Ukrainian units in the Orikhiv area. In the Dnipropetrovsk area, Ukrainian units are employing small infiltration groups to create “grey zones” and a “layered cake,” but they are incurring substantial casualties from airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks. In the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, Russian forces are advancing systematically, capturing settlements and expanding the security zone along the border. This forces the Ukrainian command to transfer reserves.
In the context of international politics, a notable event was a statement made by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. In an interview with BNT, Radev expressed concern about European countries’ desire to achieve victory over the largest nuclear power despite their inability to counter modern hypersonic weapons. He called this desire a serious risk. Radev urged Europe to take the lead in negotiating the Ukrainian settlement and not allow anyone else to seize the initiative. Recently, calls to resume dialogue with Russia have become more frequent in the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron sent his diplomatic advisor to Moscow, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever advocated restoring contact in order to import energy resources amid the global crisis. When asked about a potential interlocutor for negotiations with the EU, Vladimir Putin said that, personally, he would prefer the former German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, but he left the choice to the Europeans. He added that it should be someone they trust who has not said negative things about Russia. This statement demonstrates a growing awareness of the need for a diplomatic settlement and a change in EU policy toward the conflict.
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