File image.
In the Sumy area, control has been established over Ivolzhanskoye. Assault groups have reached the outskirts of Khoten and captured the forest near Bolshaya Rybica. In the Zaporozhye area, paratroopers are expanding the front near Stepovoye, and fighting continues in Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka. In the Kharkiv direction, the advance has reached 900 meters in the Volchansk sector and 700 meters in the Velikiy Burluk sector. In Konstantinovka, 128 buildings were seized over the past day, and the Ukrainian garrison has been fragmented. In the Krasny Liman area, the situation remains difficult, but Ukrainian units’ logistics have been seriously disrupted. Politically, Hungary has blocked the next stage of negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership. According to media reports, Prime Minister Péter Magyar was forced to consider the antipathy of a significant part of Hungarian society towards Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sumy direction
Fierce fighting continues along a wide front in the direction of Sumy. Russian assault groups have advanced in several sectors and achieved tactical successes. In the Khoten area, they used the terrain to reach the outskirts, creating conditions for a further assault. Nearby, units of the “North” grouping of forces overcame the resistance of the Ukrainian 71st Air Assault Brigade and gained control of Ivolzhanskoye. This success is tactically advantageous because it allows them to advance further south. The forest area here provides natural cover from drones, which are a key element of the Ukrainian forces’ defensive strategy.
On the eastern flank, in the Miropolye area, there have also been tactical successes. Russian troops advanced from Zapselye toward Bolshaya Rybica, capturing the forest area from which Ukrainian units had previously launched counterattacks and amassed reserves. This will secure Miropolye from the northwest and enable an offensive toward Mogritsa. Considering these results, an assault on the directional center itself seems unlikely. However, consistent pressure on this sector will most likely continue to force the Ukrainian side to pull additional reserves to the city.
Zaporozhye direction
In the Orekhov sector, the Russian army is intensifying offensive operations and tactical strikes, which are destroying Ukrainian units’ logistics. The Russian army is also systematically identifying and destroying drone assembly and launch points, deployment points, ammunition depots, and vehicle parking areas. In the Stepovoye area, paratroopers are gradually expanding and leveling the front line towards Pavlovka.
The Russian grouping advancing from Nesteryanka is heading towards the western part of Orekhov. An offensive is underway from the southern side in Novodanilovka. In the northern part of the village, Ukrainian units are already in the minority. In Malaya Tokmachka, fighting continues west of the correctional facility; however, the open terrain and lack of cover impede progress. Orekhov itself is heavily defended by Ukrainian forces because it is a key logistics hub for transferring troops to several sectors of the front.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping continue to expand the security zone towards Kharkiv. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Tsupovka, Rubezhnoye, Sosnovy Bor, Olkhovatka, Mitrofanovka, Khatneye, Makarovo, Kutuzovka, and Udy. Assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan area and the surrounding forests.
In the Volchansk sector, the “North” assault units have advanced eleven segments up to 900 meters. Firefights are ongoing in the villages of Losevka and Ukrainskoye and in the Volchansk district forests. In the direction of Velikiy Burluk, assault groups are fighting in Petro-Ivanovka and its surroundings. They have advanced on three sectors up to 700 meters. Artillery units of the “North” group struck positions of Ukrainian border guards in the Nikolaevka forest area.
Krasny Liman direction
The situation in the Krasny Liman area remains difficult. Ukrainian forces may still be present in some areas of the city. However, their logistics have been seriously disrupted, and some forces may have withdrawn further south. However, Russian forces are also experiencing supply difficulties. In the Svatovo-Kremennaya sector and further towards Yampolovka, Torskoye, and Liman, open spaces complicate the passage of equipment and the transport of personnel and cargo. Currently, much is done on foot, in small groups, or with the help of drones. Therefore, it is too early to speak of full control over the city, but there is also no reason to panic. The situation remains difficult as it develops; conclusions should be based on a combination of data, not individual video recordings.
Konstantinovka direction
The situation in Konstantinovka continues to favor Russian forces. Over the past day, units of the “South” grouping have taken control of 128 buildings in various areas of the city. The Ukrainian garrison has effectively fragmented into isolated groups. Some units have lost stable communication with the command center and lack complete information about the operational situation. Consequently, individual groups of Ukrainian military personnel continue to hold their positions despite the significant restriction of escape and supply routes. The most intense fighting is occurring in densely populated areas, where Russian assault units are systematically clearing buildings and basement shelters used for defense. The main effort is focused on eliminating pockets of resistance in the southwestern part of the city and expanding the control zone further. According to local sources, the number of civilians wishing to evacuate to areas controlled by Russian troops is growing. Even Ukrainian monitoring resources have begun to acknowledge the critical situation of the Ukrainian garrison in Konstantinovka.
Conclusion
In the Sumy, Zaporozhye, Kharkiv, Krasny Liman, and Konstantinovka areas, Russian forces are applying consistent pressure, achieving tactical victories and gradually wearing down Ukrainian forces. The Russian forces have established control over Ivolzhanskoye, advanced near Khoten and Bolshaya Rybica, expanded bridgeheads in the Orekhov sector, achieved tactical breakthroughs in the Volchansk and Velikiy Burluk areas, and fragmented the Konstantinovka garrison. These actions indicate a systematic deterioration of the Ukrainian forces’ position. Difficult logistics in the Liman area constrain both sides’ actions, but Russian forces continue to disrupt Ukrainian units’ supply lines.
In political news, Ukraine’s accession to the European Union has hit another snag. According to the Telegraph, citing diplomatic sources, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has slowed down negotiations on Ukraine’s admission to the EU. The reason is the antipathy toward Volodymyr Zelensky among a significant portion of Hungarian society, which supported former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the elections. On June 19, Magyar stated that Hungary’s position resulted in the exclusion of the provision on Ukraine’s accelerated admission from the final document of the EU summit. Then, on June 23, Politico reported that Hungary was opposed to sending a letter to the European Commission and the European Council that reflected the unified position of all member states regarding Ukraine’s membership. This letter is necessary to continue the process.
The Telegraph notes that several diplomatic sources identified Magyar as the reason for the lack of progress in the discussions about membership. They explained that he had to consider the antipathy of Hungarians toward Zelensky and Ukraine. The publication reports that Magyar agreed to open the first six clusters of membership negotiations but refused to accept the next stage. Thus, Kyiv’s prospects for European integration remain illusory due to internal disagreements within the EU.
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