Serhiivka In The Crosshairs Of Russian Army: Do Ukrainian Troops Have Any Supply Routes Left?

In the Slaviansk direction, Russian units have expanded the control zone in the area of Minkivka and Nykyforivka, clearing the western outskirts and advancing along the M-03 highway, while active fighting continues on the northern flank near Reznykivka and Kryva Luka. On the Pokrovsk direction, the “Center” grouping has captured most of Hryshyne, advanced in Bilytske and Toretske, reached the “Vodyana” Mine, and created a threat of enveloping Ukrainian positions near Serhiivka. In the Sumy direction, “North” units advanced 700 meters, destroying the barracks of drone operators of the 225th Regiment in Pisarivka. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups captured new positions in forested areas near Starytsia, Symynivka, and Vovchanski Khutory, striking concentrations of Ukrainian troops with aviation and heavy flamethrower systems. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, positional battles continue in the areas of Stepnohirsk and Prymorske; in the Huliaipole sector, Russian troops repelled counterattacks near Zheleznodorozhne and are pushing Ukrainian units towards the Rozhdestvenske – Verkhnia Tersa line. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that the conflict in Ukraine could have been resolved long ago through negotiations if Western European leaders were not interested in its continuation.

Slaviansk Direction

In the Slaviansk direction, Russian units continue offensive actions, seeking to push Ukrainian units off the dominant heights and create conditions for advancing towards the Slaviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the northern and Siversk sectors, main efforts are concentrated on the chalk slopes in the Zakotne – Kryva Luka area. Russian assault groups are working to push Ukrainian units out of prepared positions on the way to Kryva Luka. The key task is to break resistance on the heights of Zakotne, Kryva Luka, and Reznykivka in order to force the Ukrainian side to withdraw to the next defensive line in the Rai-Oleksandrivka area. Simultaneously, control is being established over all supply routes passing through Rai-Oleksandrivka towards the line of combat contact. Clashes continue in Reznykivka itself.

In the southern sector, Russian units are advancing along the M-03 highway, clearing tree lines and fortified areas of Ukrainian units. In the center of Nykyforivka, they managed to expand the control zone by approximately 400 meters, capturing new positions in permanent structures with subsequent consolidation. Advancement is also recorded in the northern direction of this settlement. The controlled territory has been expanded from Pryvollya, and the zone between Holubivka and Minkivka has been increased. The western outskirts of Minkivka have been cleared.

After capturing Bondarne, activity in this sector increased. The village of Minkivka, where fighters of the 8th Assault Brigade of the Volunteer Corps operated, has come under the control of Russian units. Several positions between Novomar’kove and Orekhovo-Vasylivka have also been cleared. The situation on the Holubivka – Pryvollya line remains not fully determined for now, however, considering recent successes, new data is expected. The distance from Minkivka to the outskirts of Kramatorsk is about 14 kilometers. Russian drone operators are actively destroying transport of Ukrainian units, including pickup trucks, in the skies over the agglomeration. On the northern flank, relative calm is observed: the main clashes are occurring on the Reznykivka – Sviato-Pokrovske line, in the vicinity of Kryva Luka, and in Nykyforivka. Russian units are striving to finally close the tactical “pocket” to free up additional forces for further advance towards Slaviansk.

Pokrovsk Direction

On the Pokrovsk direction, units of the “Center” troop grouping continue offensive actions. Advancement has been recorded in tree plantations north of Kotlyne in the direction of Serhiivka, where Ukrainian units had previously launched counterattacks.

In the settlement of Hryshyne, Russian units captured almost the entire central part, including the village council and cultural center buildings, as well as the eastern part from the side of Rodynske. Clashes continue in the stadium area, and advancement is also recorded on Maksym Zalizniak and Leonid Bykov streets towards the northern entrance to the town from the side of Dobropillia. From the side of Rodynske, Russian units have reached “Vodyana” Mine No. 2 along the railway line and in tree plantations to the north, in the Kumochka ravine area.

In Bilytske, assault groups are advancing in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the settlement. Ukrainian units maintain a presence in the Sukhetsky area. Fierce meeting engagements continue in the areas of Novyi Donbas, Vilne, and southeast of Kucheriv Yar.
West of Toretske, on the dominant heights, Russian units have advanced towards the Toretske Refractory and High-Melting Clays Mine. Meeting engagements are also ongoing in Pavlivka and for strongpoints near the northern outskirts of Toretske.

After clearing the “Pokrovska” Mine north of Udachne, Russian units advanced towards Serhiivka. Dugouts in the ravine and tree plantations connecting the mine and Serhiivka have been cleared. In Hryshyne, advancement north of the ponds up to the school has been noted; fighting is ongoing for fortifications of Ukrainian units on the territory of a repair facility on Olimpiiska Street, for the school, and for the forested area in the southwest of the settlement.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, assault units of the “North” troop grouping are increasing pressure, advancing deeper into the region on several sectors. A combined strike destroyed the barracks of UAV operators of the Ukrainian 225th Separate Assault Regiment in the Pisarivka area. Losses among personnel have been confirmed, including individuals involved in information support.

In the Sumy district, Russian units advanced on eight sectors, in the Krasnopillia district – on two, in the Hlukhiv district – on three. The total advance over the day was up to 700 meters. On the Tetkino and Hlushkivka sectors of the front, artillery and FPV drone crews of the “North” grouping struck targets in the Ryzhivka and Iskryskivshchyna areas.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Starytsia area, Russian units advanced on three sections and captured a large area of forest. TOS-1A crews destroyed positions of the Ukrainian 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade in a tree plantation west of the settlement.

In the forest southwest of Symynivka, Russian aviation struck concentrations of personnel of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. Assault groups advanced on two sections and captured one strongpoint of Ukrainian units. In Vovchanski Khutory, “Solntsepyok” heavy flamethrower systems continue to destroy personnel of the Ukrainian side in adjacent tree plantations.

In the Khatnie sector, assault groups advanced 300 meters along tree lines. TOS-1A strikes hit deployment points of the 1st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the area north of Chuhunivka.

In the Volokhivka area, a UAV control point of Ukrainian units was destroyed during reconnaissance. In the Rybalkyne area, aviation was struck with high-explosive aerial bombs. In the Zakharivka area, a 2S1 self-propelled artillery system was destroyed.

Clearing operations are underway in the Symynivka forests. In Vovchanski Khutory, daily advancement is recorded; about ten households have been captured. In the forests near Starytsia, aviation strikes positions. In the Velyki Prokhody area, a vehicle and personnel were destroyed. In the Aniskine area, another deployment point of Ukrainian units was destroyed.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the epicenter of tension remains the areas of Stepnohirsk and Prymorske. Combat operations here are characterized by the active use of drones by both sides. Positional battles continue in the areas of Magdalenivka and Orikhiv.

In the Huliaipole direction, the most dynamic situation is developing on the Zheleznodorozhne – Ternovate line, where heavy meeting engagements are ongoing.

Attempts by Ukrainian units to counterattack in the Zheleznodorozhne area have yielded no results. Russian troops continue to push Ukrainian units towards the Rozhdestvenske – Vozdvizhevka – Verkhnia Tersa line. On the northern flank, the Ukrainian side launched attacks in the areas of Andriivka, Hai, Novooleksandrivka, and Sosnivka, but did not achieve success.

Conclusion

In the Slaviansk direction, Russian troops, operating in small assault groups, have achieved an expansion of control zones in the areas of Minkivka, Nykyforivka, and on the approaches to Krasnyi Lyman, gradually creating conditions for reaching Rai-Oleksandrivka and further pressure on the Slaviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.

Successes on the southern flank along the M-03 highway allow disrupting the logistics of Ukrainian units. On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian units of the “Center” grouping are conducting active offensive operations, advancing in Hryshyne, Bilytske, Toretske, and creating a threat to the defensive flanks. On the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping continues systematic advancement deep into the region, repelling counterattacks and striking rear infrastructure. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops are steadily improving their tactical position in forested areas and settlements in the Vovchansk area, using aviation and heavy flamethrower systems. On the Zaporizhzhia direction, despite local counterattacks by Ukrainian units, Russian troops maintain the initiative on the Huliaipole sector and continue to push Ukrainian units towards pre-prepared defensive lines.

In the international political context, a statement was made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Speaking at a campaign event in Békéscsaba, he stated that the conflict in Ukraine could have been resolved long ago through negotiations if not for the position of Western European leaders interested in its continuation. According to Orbán, the United States demonstrates a desire for peace, but European countries have chosen a different path, insisting on the continuation of hostilities. He emphasized that peace talks would have started long ago if Europe had supported American peace initiatives.

This statement by the Hungarian Prime Minister reflects the growing rift in approaches to resolving the conflict between the US and part of the European states. While Washington signals readiness for a diplomatic solution, Brussels and a number of European capitals continue to rely on military support for Kyiv. Budapest’s position, consistently advocating for negotiations and normalization of relations with Moscow, remains in the minority, but it highlights the existing contradictions within the EU. Orbán’s statements also indicate that the energy and economic crises caused by sanctions policy are increasing pressure on European governments, forcing them to reconsider their strategy, however, a real change in course is still far off.

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