Russian Army In Fedorivka Druha: Why This Threatens All Ukrainian Defenses

In the Zaporizhzhia region, large-scale battles have unfolded. Ukrainian units launched a local counteroffensive with armored vehicles in the Ternovate and Priluky areas. Units of the “East” grouping repelled attacks and struck advancing forces. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops are fighting for control of the high ground around Zakotne and Kryva Luka. They have also advanced into Bondarne and Khromivka, threatening the main defensive lines of Ukrainian units. In the Kupyansk area, Russian troops have attacked Kucherivka and Podoly, while most of Petropavlivka remains under Russian control. In the Dobropillia area, fierce fighting continues around Bilytske and Rodynske, where Ukrainian forces are counterattacking. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Ukraine’s forced mobilization is being carried out with Brussels’ permission.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian units have continued their series of counterattacks that began in late January and early February. While earlier actions were limited to sending small infantry groups to contain the advance, Ukrainian units have recently transitioned to more active offensive operations. Units of the Russian “East” troop grouping are repelling these attacks.

Initially, Ukrainian units attempted to infiltrate small groups past the Haichur River to disrupt defensive formations. Subsequently, they introduced armored groups into battle. Often, Ukrainian equipment passing through settlements comes under artillery and drone strikes beyond the settlements, which does not indicate full control over these territories. This situation is evident in Ternovate, where a tank was destroyed at the southeastern entrance; however, the settlement itself remains an active combat zone. According to available information, Ukrainian units have regained some previously lost positions in Pridorožne.

Battles for Zheleznodorozhne continue on the southern flank of the front. The Ukrainian command has concentrated significant forces along the Rozhdestvenske–Vozdvizhevka–Verkhnia Tersa line. These forces include units from the 82nd and 95th Separate Air Assault Brigades, as well as several assault regiments: the 1st, 5th, 33rd, 210th, 215th, 225th, and 425th. They aim to breach the Russian troops’ defenses in the Orestopil, Priluky, and Ternovate area, reach the Haichur River line, and subsequently neutralize the threat to the Orikhiv defensive area.

In the Ternovate–Bratske area, Ukrainian units are advancing on a broad front. They broke through the railway line and, despite losing armored vehicles, landed infantry groups in the northwestern part of Ternovate. Fierce fighting is ongoing there. Simultaneously, a counterstrike is being delivered from the north, from the Velykomikhailivka area. Russian drone operators are attempting to destroy Ukrainian armored vehicles and infantry.

Despite the relative depth of penetration in some sectors, no critical problems for the Russian defense have been noted. West of Huliaipole, Russian units are advancing in the direction of Verkhnia Tersa. They are fighting in Horke and Tsvitkove and advancing south of Zheleznodorozhne towards Huliaipil’ske.

Slaviansk Direction

In the direction of Slaviansk, combat for the strategic heights from Zakotne towards Kryva Luka has intensified. Russian units are advancing along the Siverskyi Donets River and are facing strong opposition from Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian troops understand the importance of holding these positions for the entire defense line. Losing the heights could endanger Ukrainian units in the southern territory, from Reznykivka to Kalenyky. In Reznykivka, Russian units have advanced from the north and south, and Ukrainian forces periodically counterattack.

In the southern part of this area, Russian groups have been spotted near Fedorivka Druha, an important defensive line. Controlling this area could allow Russian forces to advance towards Rai-Oleksandrivka and the Slaviansk Thermal Power Plant, where Ukrainian troops are preparing their next defense line. Russian units have taken control of Bondarne and Khromivka, and clearing operations are underway. The territory of the “pocket” south of Vasiukivka has also been captured.

In the Nykyforivka area, there have been successes in advancing; preparatory actions for possible assault operations toward the Babychyi Forest are underway. The control zone in the Minkivka area has expanded. Russian units continue to pressure the network of strongpoints in the Markove area.

Kupyansk Direction

In the Kupyansk area, there is evidence of Russian attacks on the Kucherivka and Podoly settlements, which are located near Kupyansk-Uzlovoi. These attacks raise the question of the current control of these territories, which had previously been declared under control. For a long time, small infiltration groups from both sides have been operating in this area.

Russian units have stable control of most of Petropavlivka. Methods of psychological pressure were previously applied against Ukrainian units entrenched in the southern part of the settlement, including dropping leaflets calling for surrender.

Footage of strikes on buildings in Kurylivka that has appeared in the information space requires cautious assessment, as activity in this area has been noted since the end of last year. The Ukrainian units’ bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Oskol River is gradually shrinking. However, ongoing battles near settlements that have been declared under control indicate the complexity and protracted nature of combat operations in this area.

Dobropillia Direction

Contrary to some mapping data, fierce fighting continues in the Bilytske area in the Dobropillia direction. The eastern part of the settlement is a “grey zone.” Ukrainian units are conducting sorties from Bilytske toward Sukhetsky and along the railway line. The deployment of drone crews to reinforce Ukrainian units complicates the advancement of Russian troops.

Russian artillery strikes the entire sector in an attempt to suppress the rotation of Ukrainian forces. Russian drone crews are conducting reconnaissance to identify personnel and equipment for subsequent precision strikes. In the Rodynske area, Ukrainian units are attempting to recapture the western part of the city in small groups.

Fighting is also ongoing in the sector near Pavlivka. Russian units are conducting assault actions south of the village from the direction of Toretske and Novopavlivka. Advancing towards the quarry from Toretske is difficult because Ukrainian forces control the high ground.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy area, the “North” troop grouping’s assault units are accelerating their offensive pace. Russian units advanced on ten sections in the Sumy district, five in the Krasnopillia district, and four in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to more than 950 meters. Ukrainian forces launched two counterattacks: one in the Myropillia area by the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade and another in the Varachyne area by the 71st Separate Aeromobile Brigade. Both attacks were repelled with comprehensive fire engagement.

Kharkiv Direction

Heavy fighting continues in the direction of Kharkiv. Russian assault groups are advancing, overcoming resistance. In the Staritsa area, Russian forces cleared a section of the forest, advancing 150 meters. Near Symynivka, Russian units advanced on three fronts and captured two strongpoints, advancing a total of 250 meters. In the Vovchanski Khutory area, Russian aviation targeted positions in tree plantations, striking objects belonging to the Ukrainian 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade and the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

In the Khatnie sector, Ukrainian units attempted to regain lost positions in Chuhunivka with two assault groups, but the counterattack was repelled, and the settlement remains under Russian control. Airstrikes were carried out on the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s positions in the Kolodezne area. Russian assault groups advanced 150 meters in this sector.

Conclusion

In the Zaporizhzhia region, the Ukrainian command’s initiative, which involved a large-scale counteroffensive with armored vehicles and assault brigades, met organized resistance from the “East” grouping. Despite achieving local tactical successes and infiltrating certain sectors, such as the Ternovate area, Ukrainian units have failed to reach a turning point in the operation and have suffered significant equipment losses. While repelling attacks, Russian units continue to apply methodical pressure west of Huliaipole. In the Slaviansk area, the dominant theme is the struggle for control of the heights along the Siverskyi Donets River, which is critical to the stability of Ukraine’s entire defense in this sector. Russian troops’ capturing of the settlements Bondarne and Khromivka creates prerequisites for reaching the immediate approaches to the next fortified line at Rai-Oleksandrivka. Activity on the Kupyansk and Dobropillia fronts is positional, with both sides attempting to improve their tactical position amid dense Ukrainian defenses. In the northern sectors of the front, in the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, units of the “North” grouping are steadily advancing, methodically pushing forward and repelling counterattacks. This forces the Ukrainian command to transfer reserves, including elite units.

The international context of the conflict continues to influence how it is perceived and discussed in European capitals. During a press conference in Budapest, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó made a statement concerning Ukraine’s internal politics. He accused European Union institutions of condoning the methods of forced mobilization used by the Ukrainian government. According to Szijjártó, Brussels is turning a blind eye to the brutal forced mobilization, which he claims is being carried out with the approval and assistance of European structures. The Hungarian politician noted that Budapest has repeatedly called for those responsible to be included on EU sanctions lists, but these proposals have been ignored.

His statement comes amid numerous reports about Ukraine’s difficulties staffing its armed forces. Materials demonstrating the workings of military commissariats, including the forced detention of men of conscription age, have been widely circulated. There have been reports of cases of resistance to conscription, including illegal departure from the country, evasion of appearance, and even attacks on military registration offices. The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, has previously stated that violations by military commissariat employees are widespread, citing abuses of power, use of physical force, and provocation of road incidents to detain citizens. Criticism from Budapest adds a new foreign policy aspect to Ukraine’s internal social difficulties in the context of a protracted conflict.

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