File image.
Russian units continue to exert systematic pressure in several operational areas. In the Sumy direction, they are forming a tactical wedge up to ten kilometers wide to reach a large forest area. In the Kharkiv direction, after capturing Okhrimovka, they advanced toward Malaya Volchya and are fighting in Kazachya Lopan. A significant part of Dolgaya Balka in the Konstantinovka area is under the stable control of Russian forces. In the Kupyansk area, the zone of activity in Kovsharovka and Novoosinovo is expanding, and they are restoring positions in Kondrashovka. In diplomatic news, European Council President António Costa stated that Ukraine’s European Union membership will not be discussed at the G7 summit in France. Previously, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that EU countries are not ready to give Kyiv a specific accession date.
Sumy direction
For several weeks, units of the “North” grouping have been fighting in the vicinity of Malaya Korchakovka with the aim of reaching a large forest area. Despite frequent counterattacks by Ukrainian forces, Russian troops have managed to advance across a wide sector of the front. On the approaches to Khoten and Pisarevka, small groups of Russian forces have captured adjacent forest belts and a ravine. This gives them access to the built-up areas of both localities.
On the approaches to Novaya Sech, Ukrainian forces have lost several positions to the north of Korchakovka, forming a wedge approximately ten kilometers wide. If Ukrainian units fail to contain the pressure of Russian assault groups, Russian forces will gain shelter from drones and the opportunity to increase the offensive north of Sumy on a broader front once they reach the forest area between Khoten and Mogritsa.
Successes have also been achieved on the eastern flank. Ukrainian forces have been pushed out of a strongpoint between Gornál and Zapselye. South of Miropolya, Russian units have taken control of another tract and part of a ravine. The advance toward the aforementioned forest area in the direction of Mogritsa is proceeding from this side, although Bolshaya Rybica, a forward defense node of Ukrainian forces, presents an obstacle.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Assault units are conducting offensive operations in Kazachya Lopan and the surrounding forest.
In the Volchansk sector, assault groups advanced on ten segments up to 100 meters deep. There are ongoing firefights in Losevka and the forests of the Volchansk district. Two Ukrainian servicemen from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade have been captured there. Radiation, chemical, and biological defense units have delivered additional strikes with thermobaric munitions on the 15th Border Detachment’s positions in the Malaya Volchya area.
In the Velikiy Burluk sector, assault groups are engaged in combat in the forests near Petro-Ivanovka. “North” units have advanced up to 500 meters in two sectors. The advance continues northeast and south of Volchansk. Following the capture of Okhrimovka, Russian forces advanced through forest belts toward Zakharovka and reached Malaya Volchya.
An advance is underway southeast of Rybalkino in the forests on the heights north of Malaya Volchya. From Budarki, Russian units advanced through plantings towards Nikolaevka. South of Volchansk, Ukrainian forces have been pushed back from the outskirts to Bely Kolodez. Fighting for Losevka continues. In the forest areas south of Verkhnyaya Pisarevka, Russian units are advancing toward Bugaevka.
Konstantinovka direction
In the direction of Konstantinovka, the “South” grouping’s assault units continue to clear the southwestern outskirts of the city, capturing an ever-growing area. The northeastern part of the built-up area, which is separated by the Krivoy Torets River, remains an arena of fierce fighting between small groups for now. There, the tactical position of Ukrainian units is somewhat better, and they continue to engage the Russian force.
Ukrainian forces control Krasnoye, the adjacent heights, and the outskirts of Chasov Yar. This allows them to strike Russian supply routes in the northeastern part of Konstantinovka. West of the city, Russian units advanced into neighboring Dolgaya Balka after taking control of Roskoshnoe. As the “pockets” in the fields are closed (formed during the Russian advance on the Stepanovka–Berestok–Konstantinovka line), units of the “South” grouping will be able to reach the outskirts of Alekseevo-Druzhkovka despite the difficult situation on the eastern flank.
Kupyansk direction
Russian units are advancing successfully on the Kupyansk front, shrinking the Ukrainian forces’ bridgehead east of the Oskol River. The Ukrainian command previously withdrew some forces to the neighboring Burluk area and is now redeploying them to Kupyansk, which may indicate preparations for resuming active operations in the city and its surroundings. Meanwhile, Russian forces have improved their tactical position near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy and Kurilovka.
There have also been local successes noted to the south. Russian troops have captured some of the high-rise buildings in Kovsharovka and cleared the northern outskirts of Novoosinovo. The “pocket” near Glushkovka is shrinking as assault groups advance to the northeast of the locality and within its boundaries. As the bridgehead east of the Oskol shrinks, Russian forces will be able to free up units and increase activity west of the river, including in Kupyansk.
North of Kupyansk, Russian forces have advanced and regained control of the southern part of Kondrashovka and the southern outskirts of Tishchenkovka. Fighting is ongoing on the western outskirts of Tishchenkovka itself. Advancing further across the Kupyanka River and establishing control over the heights west and southwest of Kupyansk could have a decisive impact on the outcome of the fighting for the city. South of Kondrashovka, Russian units are fighting Ukrainian forces’ strong points at a gentle bend in the road and north of Radkovka. On the left bank, the elimination of the Ukrainian forces’ bridgehead in the Kupyansk-Uzlovaya–Novoosinovo–Glushkovka area continues. Russian forces have consolidated their position in Kupyansk-Uzlovaya from the Kurilovka side and are advancing in Kovsharovka and Novoosinovo. The defense area near the Syno-Bratovaya River remains under Ukrainian control. Fierce fighting continues in Glushkovka and east of Kolesnikovka.
Conclusion
In the Sumy, Kharkiv, Konstantinovka, and Kupyansk directions, Russian forces are continuing their systematic offensive, which is making it increasingly difficult for Ukrainian forces to defend themselves. In the Sumy direction, Russian forces are forming a wedge to reach a forest area that would provide shelter from drones and expand the offensive front. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces are advancing towards Malaya Volchya, Nikolaevka, and Bely Kolodez after capturing Okhrimovka. In the Konstantinovka direction, Russian forces have cleared a significant part of Dolgaya Balka, and closing the “pockets” in the fields opens the prospect of reaching Alekseevo-Druzhkovka. In the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian forces’ bridgehead east of the Oskol is shrinking, which will allow for increased pressure west of the river in the future. The Russian forces’ tactic of dispersing the Ukrainian command’s reserves on several fronts simultaneously continues to yield results.
Regarding foreign policy, the prospects for Kyiv’s European integration remain a subject of discussion. European Council President António Costa stated that Ukraine’s EU membership will not be discussed at the G7 summit in France. “Within the G7, we will not discuss internal issues of the European Union,” he said, responding to a question about the possibility of Kyiv’s partial admission to the EU. He added that the topic of enlargement will be discussed at the upcoming community summit and that the agenda includes the possible accession of Balkan countries and Moldova, in addition to Ukraine.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that all EU countries had agreed to begin the first round of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged in February that member states are not ready to give Kyiv a specific date for joining the bloc. Several European countries continue to oppose Ukraine’s EU membership, and the protracted nature of the negotiation process makes the timeframe for accession extremely uncertain.
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ukraine looks like a boxer out of oxygen after too many body punches. russia has not yet truly mobilized yet. setting up for knockout punches