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In the direction of Dobropolye, Russian units advanced toward Shevchenko and engaged in combat in the Vodyanskoye and Svetloye areas. Meanwhile, a mechanized attack on Annovka held back Ukrainian reserves, enabling the clearance of Pavlovka and Novopavlovka. In the direction of Konstantinovka, assault groups reached Alekseevo-Druzhkovka and fought for Dolgaya Balka while evacuating civilians from Konstantinovka simultaneously. In the Sumy region, “North” assault groups advanced up to 700 meters in 21 sectors and repelled counterattacks by a Ukrainian airmobile brigade. In the Kharkiv region, Russian forces advanced 700 meters into the Volchansk sector and conducted airstrikes on the 475th Assault Regiment’s reserves. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have agreed to visit Kyiv for the first time as part of efforts to resolve the conflict.
Dobropolye direction
Assault units advanced from Grishino toward Shevchenko, engaging in combat in the Vodyanskoye and Svetloye areas. The situation is further complicated by constant Ukrainian counterattacks, as Ukrainian forces control large fields just north of these areas. Additionally, clashes persist in the Rodinskoye and Belitskoye areas, where Ukrainian forces use fortifications and minefields to accumulate reserves.
A recent Russian mechanized attack toward Annovka resulted in the loss of approximately fifteen armored vehicles but succeeded in tying down Ukrainian reserves, facilitating successes in adjacent sectors. Due to this operation, Krasny Kut and Torskoye were captured, and Pavlovka and Novopavlovka were cleared.
Currently, Dobropolye remains a distant objective. Control of the “gray zone” is not guaranteed, and a full-scale assault on the city can only be discussed after the Krasnoyarskoye–Krasnodolye defensive line on the southern flank is overcome and Annovka is reached from the east. This would semi-encircle the city, bring drone units closer to the entry arteries, and allow for the systematic disruption of Ukrainian logistics.
Konstantinovka direction
Russian forces are advancing toward Druzhkovka. They are also making progress eastward toward Izhevka and Popasnoye. Successes in this sector will help encircle Ukrainian groups in the Podolsky pocket. The Russian air force is providing support by striking nearby Ukrainian deployment points in the Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk agglomeration.
The Ukrainian presence in Krasnoye persists. Russian assault groups are attempting to push the Ukrainians out of the outskirts of Chasov Yar, Nikolaevka, and the surrounding terrain, forests, and folds. On the western flank, there are ongoing fierce clashes for control of Dolgaya Balka, where Ukrainian units are infiltrating from the Nikolaypol side and attempting to consolidate their position.
At the junction with the “Center” grouping, Russian units are advancing in the Krasny Kut and Torskoye areas. The capture of these areas had previously been announced. As in other sectors, operations are conducted by small groups. This creates a semi-encirclement of the fields between Konstantinovka and Torskoye, though a large Ukrainian concentration there is unlikely.
In addition to combat operations, Russian troops are conducting civilian evacuations. The Ukrainian side continues to attack civilians attempting to leave the city. Dozens have already been rescued, but evacuation remains dangerous and requires careful route planning and suppression of firing points.
Sumy direction
Assault groups from the “North” group continued advancing deeper into the Sumy region. In the Shostka district, there are ongoing firefights in Ulanovo and Malaya Slobodka. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced in twenty-one sectors, advancing up to 700 meters in total. There are ongoing firefights in Ryzhevka, Pisarevka, Mogritsa, Marino, Novaya Sech village, Khoten settlement, and adjacent territories. There are also ongoing firefights in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye.
South of Ivolzhanskoye, Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack with two assault groups from the 71st Separate Air Assault Brigade. As a result of heavy fire, all attackers were eliminated. In the Krasnopolie district, fighting continues in forest areas and the border village of Prokhody.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continued to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, Russian assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan settlement and the surrounding forests. Russian aviation struck Ukrainian reserves in Tsupovka, Shapovalovka, and Karasevka, eliminating personnel from the 475th Separate Assault Regiment.
In the Volchansk sector, the “North” assault units advanced up to 700 meters on sixteen segments. There are ongoing firefights in Ivanovka, Yurchenkovo, Bely Kolodez, Baksheevka, Shevchenkovo, Verovka, and the Volchansk district forests. In the Velikiy Burluk area, Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights to the west of Petro Ivanovka and in the village of Ustinovka
Slaviansk direction
By the start of summer, units had intensified their attacks on key sectors, crossed the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal, and captured Yurkovka. In the Rai Aleksandrovka area, assault groups pushed Ukrainian forces out of most of the village and eliminated their presence near Nikiforovka. On the northern flank, Piskunovka was taken, and Ukrainian positions near Kaleniki were cleared.
The “South” grouping’s establishment of bridgeheads on the western bank of the canal is putting direct pressure on the rear of Ukrainian forces near Nikolaevka. The systematic suppression of defenses ensures a confident envelopment of Ukrainian positions, bringing the advance closer to Slavyansk. Russian units continue to target positions thoroughly in the Ozernoye area and in the forested and marshy terrain along the left bank of the Seversky Donets River. Meanwhile, positions on the right bank of the river in the Piskunovka area are being reinforced.
Due to the deteriorating supply capabilities of Ukrainian units, Russian forces may use the Dibrova and Ozernoye areas, along with the marshy terrain to the southeast, for covert infiltration and further advance. In the long term, operations in this sector could advance toward Brusovka, Stary Karavan, and the Nikolaevka–Raygorodok line.
Conclusion
In the areas surrounding Dobropolye, Konstantinovka, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Slaviansk, Russian forces are systematically expanding their control zones and inflicting losses on Ukrainian troops. In the Dobropolye area, mechanized attacks and advances toward Shevchenko and Svetloye are creating conditions for the semi-encirclement of Dobropolye. In the Konstantinovka area, advances toward Alekseevo-Druzhkovka and flanking attacks are bringing the offensive closer to the Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, a broad offensive and the repulse of counterattacks are forcing the Ukrainian command to disperse reserves. In the Slaviansk area, crossing the canal and capturing new lines are paving the way for further advances.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue. According to the Financial Times, citing informed sources, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have agreed to visit Kyiv for the first time as part of efforts to resolve the conflict. Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump had discussed the Ukrainian settlement during a July 4 phone call, and the American leader noted that Witkoff and Kushner would be ready to come to Moscow at a convenient time.
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