Slaviansk Within Artillery Range: Russian Army Pushes Ukrainian Troops Out Of Nikiforovka And Fedorovka Vtoraya 

In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian troops captured the rest of Nikiforovka and consolidated their position in Fedorovka Vtoraya. These advances have strengthened their positions south of Rai-Oleksandrivka, bringing them closer to the artillery shelling range of Slavyansk. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian units from the “Dnipro” and “East” groupings continue to repel counterattacks in the Kamianske–Mala Tokmachka area. Meanwhile, the 35th Army captured Lugovskoye, paving the way for an offensive on Belogorye that bypasses the fortified zone. In the Sumy direction, assault groups from the “North” grouping advanced 400 meters and attacked the GUR special unit “Shamanbat.” In the Krasnopillia district, they advanced up to 1,100 meters. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops advanced 750 meters toward Lyptsi and 400 meters toward Vovchansk, repelling attempts to transfer Ukrainian reserves. In other news, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico accused the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of colluding with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the Druzhba pipeline situation.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the “Dnipro” grouping continue to thwart Ukrainian advances across the entire Kamianske–Mala Tokmachka sector. Meanwhile, the “East” grouping is pressuring the defenses on the right flank in an attempt to open a route to the rear of Orikhiv. Assault groups are advancing west and northwest of Huliaipole and continuing to destroy Ukrainian logistics west of the Rizdvianka–Verkhnia Tersa line. Fighting continues on the approaches to Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa, and Komsomolske.

The situation in the vicinity of Stepnohirsk remains complex. Ukrainian troops are attempting to dislodge Russian forces from the remaining parts of Stepnohirsk, as well as the nearby towns of Prymorske and Pavlivka. In the central sector, the front line remains unchanged. Ukrainian forces are maintaining a line of fortifications on the approaches to Orikhiv, despite constant Russian drone and artillery strikes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are attempting to regain some lost positions in the Mala Tokmachka area to prevent the Russian control zone from expanding near the settlement.

After several days of fighting on the eastern flank, the 1198th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 35th Army established control over Lugovskoye. This allows them to attack neighboring Belogorye, bypassing the zone of effective fire engagement south of the village. Previously, mechanized attacks in this sector had been unsuccessful, so opening a new direction will simplify the future assault on the settlement. Once Belogorye is captured, Russian troops will likely try to expand the bridgehead beyond the Konka River to control the heights north of Mala Tokmachka. This would give them fire superiority over the supply routes of Ukrainian units.

Slaviansk Direction

Russian troops are breaking through Ukrainian defenses in the southern sector in the direction of Slaviansk. Evidence of advances in the Lypivka area, as well as the capturing of the remaining part of Nikiforovka, has appeared online. In the neighboring area, the 85th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade has taken control of the western part of Fedorovka Vtoraya, which has now been fully captured. Additionally, reports are emerging of a tactical “pocket” being cleared to the south in the Pryvollya and Holubivka area.

Consequently, Russian units have significantly strengthened their positions to the south of Rai-Oleksandrivka. The Ukrainian side is well aware that an assault on this settlement is imminent, and it is already being subjected to drone strikes in Mykolaivka and airstrikes in Slovyansk.

Fighting continues on the southeastern outskirts of Krasnyi Lyman. Russian aviation is striking Ukrainian unit positions identified during aerial reconnaissance to support assault groups. Advancing to Odeska Street from the eastern side of the city was possible; however, the territory extending to Myroshnychenko remains in a “grey zone.” In the Drobysheve area, there is ongoing fighting for control of a forest near the village. Ukrainian forces have the upper hand in airspace control, having increased their drone reserves in the Svyatohirsk area. Near Yarova, Russian units have advanced to St. Kazan Church.

It is too early to speak of the start of direct combat operations in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, although Russian units have approached it within artillery range. The fighting on the outskirts is a prologue to the battle for the last major agglomeration in the Donbas region. In any case, the assault will not be easy, as the Ukrainian side is fortifying both cities and continues to mount an active defense in neighboring areas.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to fight fiercely, advancing deeper into the area. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Iskrykivshchyna, Kondrativka, Velykyi Prykil, Myropillia, and Nova Sich areas. Assault groups advanced on fourteen sections in the Sumy district and on four sections in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 400 meters.

In the Shostka district, Russian troops advanced 150 meters on three fronts. Strikes were carried out on the temporary deployment points of the GUR special unit “Shamanbat.” There were significant losses in personnel and equipment. The Ukrainian command continues to transfer reserves from rear areas, but Russian units detect the movement of personnel and deliver strikes in a timely manner.

In the Krasnopillia district, intense fighting continues in the Novodmytrivka area. The advance over the day amounted to up to 1,100 meters.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to fight fiercely, pushing Ukrainian units back from the state border. Russian troops struck concentrations of personnel and equipment in Ternova, Izbitske, and Pokaliane.

In the Lyptsi area, the advance amounted to up to 750 meters on three sections during stubborn fighting. In the Vovchansk area, assault groups advanced up to 400 meters along eleven fronts.

Russian strikes also hit a concentration of personnel from the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Pokaliane area with heavy flamethrower systems. Loss data analysis confirms the deployment of additional 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade units from Kramatorsk to this sector.

In the Velykyi Burluk area, Ukrainian forces attempted to counterattack Russian troops’ positions in the Ambarnoye area. As a result of the ensuing firefight, an M-113 armored personnel carrier was destroyed, along with many Ukrainian soldiers.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops have captured Lugovskoye and are creating conditions for an offensive on Belogorye, bypassing the fortified zone. They continue to pressure the Ukrainian defense and contain counterattacks in the Kamianske–Mala Tokmachka sector. In the Slaviansk direction, the capturing of Nikiforovka and Fedorovka Vtoraya, as well as the reinforcement of positions south of Rai-Oleksandrivka, brings Russian troops closer to the artillery range of Slaviansk. However, it is premature to discuss an assault on the city. In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping is advancing systematically, striking transferred reserves, including GUR special units, and demonstrating systemic problems within Ukrainian units, such as the use of mobilized personnel in reconnaissance units and the use of physical pressure on personnel. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops are maintaining the initiative by advancing on the Lyptsi and Vovchansk sectors and destroying counterattacking groups.

An important event in the international political context was a statement by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He accused the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of colluding with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the Druzhba pipeline situation. Kyiv halted the pipeline’s transit. Fico stated that he does not believe the European Commission lacks the means to solve the problem and expressed his belief that they are deliberately not acting. On March 28, he threatened to block new sanctions against Russia due to the pipeline situation, noting that under his leadership, there would be no problems with high fuel prices.

Fico’s statement demonstrates a further escalation of the conflict between Kyiv and Central European countries, as well as growing distrust of EU institutions. Accusing the head of the European Commission of colluding with the Ukrainian leadership directly undermines Brussels’ authority and is an unprecedented step. Against the backdrop of Russian troops’ successful offensive in all directions, such internal conflicts within the European Union weaken the united front of support for Ukraine. Following in the footsteps of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Fico consistently uses the energy lever to protect national interests, threatening to block sanctions and financial aid. This creates additional risks for Kyiv, which has already experienced the blocking of an EU loan and must find ways to resolve the energy dispute to avoid losing the support of key European partners.

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