File image.
In the Sumy region, Russian troops have crossed the Psol River and established a foothold in Zapsillia. They are currently engaged in combat for control of the settlement and are expanding their presence in the Yunakivka and eastern sectors. In response, the Ukrainian command is deploying units from the 95th and 10th Air Assault Brigades to the area. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian forces are advancing towards Stepnohirsk with motorised rifle units and landing assault groups in the private sector. Meanwhile, Russian forces are advancing on the defences in the areas of Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa and Komsomolske. In the Slaviansk area, Russian forces advanced 1.5 kilometres west of Kalenyky and captured new positions in the forested area to the north-west of Rai-Oleksandrivka. They are also fighting for control of Malynivka and Tykhonivka after crossing the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. Balázs Ujvári, a representative of the European Commission, stated that the EU and Ukraine have not yet signed the three main documents required for the loan to Kyiv to be allocated.
Sumy Direction
Units of the ‘North’ troop grouping are continuing their offensive to the north and east of the city of Sumy. According to operational information, the Ukrainian command is transferring units from the Donbas, including the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade, the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade and the 130th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, to this area in an attempt to turn the situation in their favour.
In the northern Yunakivka sector, Russian units are extending their control zone to the south of Korchakivka in ongoing clashes, and are fighting in the western and northern parts of Nova Sich, as well as towards Ivolzhanske. South of Yunakivka, Russian units have advanced towards the forested area between Maryine and Sadky. Ukrainian units remain in control of the forest zone in the Sadky area. Fierce fighting for Kondrativka continues.
In the eastern sector, Russian units have crossed the Psol River, entered Zapsillia and are consolidating their position in clashes for control of the settlement. To the south, Russian units are fighting for tracts and ravines near Mala Rybytsia and Velykyi Prikol from the direction of Myropillia and Myropilske. There is ongoing fighting in the Prokhody–Maryine–Turia area, as well as near Mykhailivka, Krasnopillia and Riasne.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Hranove area of the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups advanced up to 150 metres. In the direction of Vovchansk, assault units of the ‘North’ grouping advanced up to 400 metres across nine sectors. There are ongoing firefights in the forested areas of the Vovchansk district, along the right bank of the Vovcha River, and in Volokhivka and Karaichne.For the fourth consecutive day, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence crews are striking concentrations of Ukrainian 127th Separate Tank Mechanised Brigade personnel and foreign mercenaries in the forested area of Izbitske with heavy flamethrower systems.
In the Velykyi Burluk area, fighting continues in the Budarka area. Russian Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence units struck a strongpoint of the Ukrainian 1st Territorial Defence Brigade in the forested area near Zarubynka with heavy flamethrower systems.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
There have been reports of active combat operations in the Zaporizhzhia area, particularly around Kamianske. Ukrainian forces are advancing towards Stepnohirsk with motorised rifle units. Ukrainian landing equipment is driving off the Zaporizhzhia–Vasylivka highway to land assault groups in the outskirts of Stepnohirsk. Ukrainian units have advanced about 1 kilometre into the residential area of the settlement, penetrating the Russian troops’ defences. Russian units are fighting Ukrainian forces in the Stepnohirsk area. The situation in Stepnohirsk remains tense, with ongoing firefights south of the multi-storey residential quarter.In the west of the region, Russian forces are breaking through the Ukrainian defence lines. Ukrainian troops have been forced out of their trenches in the Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa and Komsomolske areas. In the north, units of the ‘East’ grouping are advancing northwest of Oleksandrohrad and fighting in the forested area beyond the Vovcha River towards Lisne. In the west, Russian units are continuing to conduct successful offensive operations with the aim of establishing control over Verkhnia Tersa, Vozdvizhevka and Komsomolske.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian units have advanced about 1.5 kilometres west of Kalenyky, capturing new positions in the forested area to the northwest of Rai-Oleksandrivka. Meanwhile, units of the Volunteer Corps have advanced in the Malynivka–Tykhonivka area. After isolating the sector and striking the positions of Ukrainian units, clashes began for control of these settlements.Russian forces are continuing to attack Ukrainian forces’ logistical routes in the Krasnyi Lyman area, including those leading out of the Zavodskoy microdistrict. Ukrainian forces are continuing to attack the Kreminna–Svatove logistical route.
In the western part of Chasiv Yar, there have been some small successes; fighting continues for control of the Stenky settlement. The resulting salient north of Kostiantynivka, combined with the advance from Stenky, poses an operational encirclement threat to the Ukrainian unit grouping southwest of the city. Following the collapse of this defensive line, Russian troops are expected to advance towards Oleksievo-Druzhkivka and then on to Kramatorsk.
In the Aleksandrivka area, clashes are shifting towards Malynivka and Tykhonivka. Units of the Volunteer Corps have crossed the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal and are advancing. Combat operations are already underway in these settlements, which are on the outskirts of Kramatorsk.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that high-intensity combat operations are ongoing in all areas. In the Sumy area, Russian units have crossed the Psol River and consolidated their position in Zapsillia. They are continuing their offensive in the Yunakivka and eastern sectors. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian command is transferring elite air assault units from the Donbas region to this area in an attempt to stabilize the front. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian forces have launched attacks using landing equipment in the Stepanohirsk region. However, Russian forces are holding their positions and simultaneously advancing on the defences in the Vozdvizhevka, Verkhnia Tersa and Komsomolske areas. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops have advanced west of Kalenyky and crossed the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. They are threatening the operational encirclement of Ukrainian units to the southwest of Kostiantynivka and approaching the outskirts of Kramatorsk. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are expanding the security zone by striking Ukrainian positions and reserves.In the context of international politics, a significant event was a statement made by Balázs Ujvári, a representative of the European Commission. He reported that the EU and Ukraine had not yet signed the three main documents necessary for the allocation of a 90 billion euro loan to Kyiv. According to Ujvári, the memorandum of understanding is the most advanced document at this stage, but others are still required. In particular, the EU must approve a macro-financial assistance programme based on Ukraine’s commitments and amend the provisions of the fund to support it. Until these documents are adopted, Brussels cannot technically make the transfer.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, recently stated that Kyiv would receive the tranche in the first half of June. Earlier, the European Union approved the loan for Ukraine with a delay of two months, promising to link the financing to strict anti-corruption measures. This highlights the ongoing bureaucratic and political complexities in implementing even agreed financial commitments.
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