File image.
In the direction of Konstantinovka, Russian units have expanded their area of control to cover almost the entire city. They have taken control of the industrial zone in the center, on both sides of the Krivoy Torets River. Small units have reached the northern outskirts, though counterattacks from Ukrainian forces remain a threat. In the Sumy area, Russian forces are seeking to reach Bachevsk via the highway towards Kyiv, and are fighting for control of the forest south of Korchakovka. They are also advancing on Khoten from the north, having advanced 700 meters. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units have concentrated their main reserves to defend Sumy. In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian units are operating on the western bank of the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal. They are engaged in fierce fighting for Rai-Aleksandrovka and are advancing within its boundaries. They are also striking the logistics of Ukrainian forces in the agglomeration. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups are continuing their offensive towards Kazachya Lopan and fighting in Shevchenko. They have advanced up to 500 meters in the Volchansk sector and are striking the positions of the 127th Brigade. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated that Hungary remains opposed to the accelerated accession of any country, including Ukraine, to the European Union and that Ukraine must move forward in this process on an equal footing with the Western Balkan countries.
Konstantinovka direction
Units belonging to the ‘South’ grouping of forces are advancing successfully within the boundaries of the city of Konstantinovka. Russian units have expanded their control zones across almost the entire city. Assault groups have seized control of the industrial zone in the city center, on both sides of the Krivoy Torets River. Capturing these facilities is a significant tactical success, particularly given that the industrial sites are at a lower elevation than the surrounding buildings.
By controlling parts of the buildings in the Semivetrovka and Solnechny districts, Russian units have semi-encircled the private sector between the multi-story buildings and the industrial zone. The current drone situation dictates infiltration tactics, whereby assault teams of two or three fighters move far behind Ukrainian lines without consolidating their positions.
Furthermore, small Russian units have managed to reach the northern outskirts of the city. They can act as observers or forward air controllers for drone operators, but if they are detected, they will have to withdraw.
Positional confrontation between small groups continues in both the fields west of Dolgaya Balka and the vicinity of Chasov Yar. Footage has appeared online showing the Ukrainian side attempting to transfer armored vehicles to the city. The garrison, reinforced by artillery and drone units, has not lost its combat capability. Given the Ukrainian command’s increased attention to this axis and the obvious threat to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration, large-scale operations aimed at restoring control over the city or stabilizing the situation are highly likely.
Slaviansk direction
In the area around the Seversky Donets–Donbas canal, fierce clashes continue in the direction of Slaviansk. Russian forces are already operating on the canal’s western bank. Attacks on the settlement to the west of the canal began after it was officially announced that the area was under the control of Russian forces, although reports of fighting further west had emerged several months ago.
Despite local successes in this area, it is premature to speak of establishing control over Malinovka. Ukrainian units still have a presence in the Minkovka area east of the canal and are conducting counterattacks towards Golubovka from there using small groups. In the northern section, fierce fighting for Rai-Aleksandrovka continues. Russian units have managed to advance within the boundaries of the settlement by overcoming the defenses of Ukrainian forces. There are also attempts to advance from Krivaya Luka towards Piskunovka, where local successes are being recorded.
Russian aviation and drone operators are targeting Ukrainian units in the area. As before on the Konstantinovka direction, they are currently focused on disrupting Ukrainian logistics. As supplies deteriorate, Ukrainian units will lose their ability to defend the city.
Sumy direction
In the Glukhov area of the Sumy direction, Russian forces are attempting to advance towards Bachevsk along the highway towards Kyiv. Both the highway and the village of Sopych are situated on elevated ground relative to other settlements. Ukrainian units are trying to hold the defence line because of the importance of this highway.
Fighting continues for the forest area south of Korchakovka. Ukrainian units are counterattacking and accumulating reserves for operations by small groups – a tactic previously observed in Grishino in the Kupyansk direction and in the Zaporozhye direction. In the area around Pisarevka, where there are no significant wooded areas, both sides are actively using drones. In contrast, firefights predominantly occur south of Korchakovka. Russian forces are also advancing on Khoten from the north.
The Ukrainian command understands that if Russian forces take the forest area, the direct road to Sumy will be opened up. Therefore, the main Ukrainian reserves are concentrated here to defend the regional center. In an attempt to exhaust these reserves, Russian forces are striking gas stations, temporary deployment points, drone assembly points and vehicle parking areas in rear areas.
In the Krasnopolie area, Russian forces are trying to reach the Ukrainian logistics route from Krasnopolie to Velikaya Pisarevka. Fighting for Lesnoye continues.
In the Shostka district, Russian assault units are involved in firefights in Bachevsk and the surrounding area. Artillerymen and drone operators have struck previously identified Ukrainian unit targets. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units have advanced up to 700 meters across eleven sectors.
In the Krasnopolie district, there are ongoing firefights between Lesnoye and Taratutino, as well as north-west of Novodmitrovka.
Kharkiv direction
In the Kharkiv area, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to expand the security zone. Meanwhile, Russian assault units are advancing towards the major Ukrainian logistics centre in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan. There have been firefights in Shevchenko and the surrounding area.
On the Volchansk axis, the “North” grouping’s assault units have advanced up to 500 metres in eight sectors. Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights in Okhrimovka and the surrounding area, as well as in the Volchansk district’s forest areas. Radiation, chemical and biological defence crews have attacked the positions of the 127th separate mechanised tank brigade of Ukrainian forces in the Izbitskoye area using heavy flamethrowers.
There have been no significant changes on the Velikiy Burluk axis. Russian military personnel are consolidating their previously captured positions. Meanwhile, radiation, chemical and biological defence crews have attacked the 3rd separate tank brigade of Ukrainian forces in the Kolodeznoye area with heavy flamethrowers.
Conclusion
An analysis of the operational situation indicates that hostilities remain intense in all directions. In the direction of Konstantinovka, Russian units have expanded their control over the industrial zone and reached the northern outskirts, creating conditions for the further encirclement of the city. However, the threat of counterattacks from Ukrainian forces, who are continuing to redeploy reserves, remains. In the direction of Slavyansk, advances on the western bank of the canal and fighting for Rai-Aleksandrovka are bringing Russian forces closer to the key defensive lines of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration, despite Ukrainian units actively counterattacking. In the Sumy area, Russian forces are advancing towards Khoten and fighting for control of the forest areas to the south of Korchakovka. This poses a threat to Sumy and forces the Ukrainian command to concentrate its main reserves in this area. In the Kharkiv area, Russian units are continuing to expand the security zone by advancing towards Kazachya Lopan and the Volchansk sector.
In an important statement in the international political context, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said that Hungary remains opposed to the accelerated accession of any country, including Ukraine, to the European Union. In a video message published on social media, he stated that Hungary remains opposed to the accelerated accession of any country, including Ukraine, to the European Union. He said that Ukraine must follow the same principles as the Western Balkan countries in this process. He added that Hungary would be willing to agree to the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine if the latter were to implement a plan to restore the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians. Following negotiations between Hungarian and Ukrainian experts, Kyiv has agreed to significantly expand the use of the Hungarian language in Transcarpathia. In light of this, the Hungarian government is calling on Ukraine to amend its action plan with regard to minorities. If this occurs, Hungary will consent to opening the first cluster of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. This statement highlights ongoing disagreements within the EU regarding Ukraine’s integration and confirms Budapest’s intention to leverage the rights of the Hungarian minority in this process.
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