File image.
In the Krasnyi Lyman direction, Ukrainian artillery has struck Tatyanivka and Pryshyb, where Russian troops had previously crossed the Siverskyi Donets River and established a foothold. In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian positions in Chasiv Yar, cutting off logistics to the northwest of the city. In Kostiantynivka, assault groups are advancing from Illinivka and the southeast of the railway station, gradually entering the city in small groups. In the direction of Slovyansk, Russian units are continuing offensive operations along the Kryva Luka–Kalenyky line. They are advancing toward Pyskunivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka and have captured several forested areas in the Nykyforivka region. In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops are fortifying positions along the Staryi Saltiv–Velykyi Burluk road. Meanwhile, Russian troops have advanced toward the T-21-04 highway, reaching the outskirts of Shesterivka. In the Sumy direction, there have been clashes between Ukrainian servicemen in the Bachivsk area and attempts to cross the Psol River. There has also been limited Russian unit advancement west of Sopych and in the Bachivsk checkpoint area. Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, stated that the defense ministers of EU countries supported unblocking 6.6 billion euros for Ukraine from the European Peace Facility.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slavyansk, the situation has remained unchanged for quite some time. Prior to the ceasefire announcement, Russian units advanced on the Kryva Luka–Kalenyky line and moved toward the Pyskunivka–Rai-Oleksandrivka line. Judging by emerging footage, the attacks continue. The main tactical objective is to capture the forested areas between these settlements, which would allow them to increase the intensity of their attacks on both villages.
In the southeast, Russian units have captured additional forested areas in the Nykyforivka area. Previously, Ukrainian units had a significant tactical presence in the area, but it has now significantly shrunk.
Against this backdrop, Ukrainian units are trying to strengthen their positions in Rai-Oleksandrivka. Meanwhile, to the south, small groups continue to fight fiercely on the Dibrova–Minkivka line. The main confrontation is taking place east of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbass Canal. Russian units will be able to strengthen their positions and proceed with the construction of bridges for further attacks towards Kramatorsk if they take control of it. Ukrainian units are trying to delay this as long as possible to buy time to fortify the cities.
Krasnyi Lyman Direction
New evidence has emerged of Ukrainian artillery strikes on Tatyanivka, Pryshyb, and surrounding areas in the Krasnyi Lyman direction. This is significant because Russian units had previously crossed the Siverskyi Donets River from Yarova and established a presence in these settlements. Ukrainian units have launched several counterattacks, but have been unable to push the Russian assault groups back into the river. The combat zone is gradually expanding. Along the northern bank, Ukrainian units occasionally counterattack from Svyatohirsk towards Yarova.
They have managed to equip a significant number of positions and warehouses with various supplies in the city. Now, they replenish the bare necessities and conduct rotations through forested areas to the west, thus becoming somewhat less dependent on logistics. However, bridges and other crossings across the river are systematically struck by Russian aviation, artillery, and drones. In forested areas, this is currently the only opportunity for advancement under modern drone conditions. The Ukrainian side also understands this, so combat operations in this area will only intensify.
Kostiantynivka Direction
In the Chasiv Yar area, Russian forces continue to attack groups of Ukrainian troops entering the city and its outskirts. Although Ukrainian units have captured multi-story buildings, controlling several buildings does not mean capturing the city. Russian units are also cutting the Ukrainian forces’ logistical routes northwest of Chasiv Yar and approaching Kostiantynivka from the east. In Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian units are under attack from Russian aircraft, and assault groups are advancing from Illinivka and the southeast side of the railway station.
The Ukrainian side reports that Kostiantynivka is gradually being lost despite fierce resistance. Russian infantry are systematically entering the city in small groups, using infiltration tactics, albeit with great difficulty. It will take a long time to establish full control over the settlement, but it is likely that Ukrainian units will not hold their positions until the end and will soon begin to withdraw toward Druzhkivka, where a reserve defense hub has already been organized.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy direction, Ukrainian forces repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement. In the Zapsillia area, Ukrainian units unsuccessfully attempted to cross the Psol River with several assault groups. Servicemen from the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force continue to make “business trips” to the Sumy district, from which only a few aviators return.
According to recent reports, Russian units have made limited but significant advances west of Sopych and in the area of the Bachivsk international road checkpoint. At first glance, these are just tree lines and a border sector, but such “little things” can later unexpectedly become bridgeheads for larger actions. Bachivsk is not just a former checkpoint; it is a logistical hub through which transport and supply routes between the Sumy region and Russia pass. Controlling or even dominating the firepower at such points sharply complicates the transfer of reserves, equipment, and ammunition for Ukrainian units in the northern part of the region.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Vovchansk area, Ukrainian forces are strengthening their defenses by fortifying the highway between Staryi Saltiv and Velykyi Burluk and deploying artillery crews and drone operators to the flanks. The Ukrainian military expects Russian units to advance further and plans to stop them on the Shyroke–Hontarivka–Pohorele line. They intend to attack the Russian units from the flanks with artillery strikes and drones.
The most significant events are occurring east of Verkhnya Pysarivka and south of Symonivka. After about a month of intense positional combat, Russian forces advanced toward the T-21-04 highway, reaching the outskirts of Shesterivka. The T-21-04 highway is an important supply and movement route for Ukrainian forces in northeastern Kharkiv. While not a state-level highway, it is an extremely important internal route for transferring equipment, ammunition, and reserves between border areas. According to available information, the Ukrainian side has been trying to hold this sector in recent weeks by using mobile drone groups and artillery. However, the constant pressure from small Russian assault units is gradually wearing down the defense. These are not massive attacks, but rather a tactic of constantly “pushing through” to find weak points.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that high-intensity combat operations persist in all directions despite the ceasefire regime. In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian units are systematically pushing through the defense, occupying forested areas, and approaching Rai-Oleksandrivka. This creates the conditions for further advancement towards the Siverskyi Donets–Donbass Canal. In the Krasnyi Lyman direction, Russian units have retained bridgeheads on the Siverskyi Donets and gradually expanded the combat zone, demonstrating their ability to consolidate on captured lines despite counterattacks. The assault on Krasnyi Lyman is proceeding with mixed success; forested areas used for supply play a key role. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units operating in small groups are gradually entering urban areas and simultaneously disrupting Ukrainian logistics northwest of Chasiv Yar. In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian forces are taking advantage of the pause to reinforce their defenses and transfer reserves. Russian forces have achieved tactical success by advancing toward the T-21-04 highway, threatening an important logistical route. In the Sumy direction, there have been internal clashes within Ukrainian units, attempts to cross water barriers, and local Russian unit advances in the Bachivsk area, which is important for controlling logistical hubs.
In the context of international politics, an important event was a statement made by Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy. During a briefing in Brussels, she announced that the defense ministers of EU countries had approved the release of 6.6 billion euros from the European Peace Facility (EPF) for Ukraine, funds that had previously been blocked by Hungary. Kallas said that options on how to use these funds will be proposed, and Kyiv is expected to use them to purchase weapons. The ministers clearly supported allocating these funds. This decision demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to continuing to support Ukraine militarily, despite reduced aid from the United States and ongoing disagreements within the EU.
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