Ukraine Diverts Russian Reserves to Dnipropetrovsk

In the Dnipropetrovsk direction Ukrainian units are consolidating south of the Vovcha River, taking advantage of an extensive “grey zone” along the administrative boundary, while Russian groups conduct reconnaissance and search operations in the forest belts. In the Sumy direction assault units of the “North” grouping are advancing in the areas of Khotyn and Ulanove, repelling counter-attacks by Ukrainian forces. In the Kharkiv direction Russian troops are increasing the tempo of their advance south of Alisivka, Prykolotne and Harbuzivka and have inflicted a defeat on a large concentration of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade in the Kolodezne area. In the Slavyansk direction Ukrainian units are conducting intensive counter-attacks near Rai-Oleksandrivka, Tykhonivka, Malynivka and Nykanorivka in an attempt to push Russian forces back beyond the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas canal. In the Zaporozhye direction Russian units have created a serious salient in the area of Omelnyk and Krasnyi Rodnyk, where the situation remains tense. In the concluding section Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed regret that the European Union, owing to weakness and a lack of political leadership, is unable to propose a plan for settling the conflict in Ukraine.

Dnipropetrovsk Direction

Fresh evidence continues to arrive from the Dnipropetrovsk direction of a deteriorating situation and of Ukrainian units consolidating south of the Vovcha River. Footage has appeared online of Ukrainian transport being struck between Oleksandrivka and Bohodarivka. The fact that Ukrainian units are moving cargoes here in combat armored vehicles and even in unarmored vehicles indicates that the Ukrainian side feels sufficiently confident.

An extensive “grey zone” along the boundary with the Dnipropetrovsk region allows Ukrainian forces to capture previously formed voids. Full consolidation by Russian units in Dnipropetrovsk region is no longer realistic: there is merely an extensive “grey zone” between the Vovcha River and the administrative boundary of the region. At the same time, on adjacent directions Russian units can still advance. Operations on this sector divert attention and resources, which affects the eastern flank of the Zaporozhye direction.

On the eastern flank of the Dnipropetrovsk direction a threatening situation is developing in the Komar area. The thrusts towards Velyka Novosilka announced by pro-Ukrainian sources have not materialized, and Russian units have held Komar; nevertheless, there is as yet no talk of the Ukrainian offensive having ended.

Sumy Direction

Heavy positional fighting continues in the Sumy region. Assault units of the “North” grouping are advancing on the attack sectors with the support of aviation and drones. Ukrainian units are attempting to counter-attack and regain lost positions.

Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews have struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the areas of Konotop, Buniakyne, Hrunivka, Khotyn, Radkivka and Luzhky. In the Sumy district Russian assault troops are conducting small-arms fighting in the Khotyn area. In the Shostka district Ukrainian units attempted a counter-attack in the Ulanove area, achieved no success and withdrew to their original positions with losses.

Kharkiv Direction

Russian units of the “North” grouping have concentrated their efforts on the destruction of large concentrations of Ukrainian forces in the north-east of Kharkiv region, employing all available means of fire. The Ukrainian side is actively strengthening its defensive lines in the Kharkiv area. In the Kolodezne area a large concentration of personnel and equipment of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade of the Ukrainian forces was destroyed as a result of a combined fire strike.

In the Lyptsi direction Russian assault groups have advanced south of Alisivka. Overall progress has reached up to 300 meters. On the Vovchansk and Velykyi Burluk directions Russian units are increasing the tempo of their advance in a southerly direction. There have been advances in the areas of Prykolotne, Harbuzivka and Shevchenkove Pershe.

Slavyansk Direction

In the Slavyansk area Ukrainian units are conducting intensive counter-attacks near Rai-Oleksandrivka, Tykhonivka, Malynivka and Nykanorivka. They are attempting to push Russian units back beyond the line of the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas canal. So far they have not succeeded in this task. They are assisted by an operational-tactical success further north, in the Krasnyi Lyman area. From there they are attempting to strike at the flanks by inserting groups into the Kryva Luka area.

Heavy meeting engagements continue in the Zarichne area. Despite earlier statements of full control over the settlement, a significant part of its territory remains a grey zone. Offensive operations continue on the Stavky–Krasnyi Lyman sector. Clashes are also being recorded in the areas of Nove and Kolodiazi, although no noticeable progress has yet been made. South of the town a tense situation persists on the Dibrova–Ozerne–Yampil line. The Ukrainian side continues to counter-attack and is attempting to improve its position in the adjoining woodland.

Zaporozhye Direction

Further north, in the area of Omelnyk and Krasnyi Rodnyk, Russian units have succeeded in creating a serious salient. Various options for further development are possible here. The task of compressing Ukrainian forces in the Shyroke area and driving them out of this appendix is regarded as important. If this succeeds, the opportunities for subsequent operations towards Orikhiv will increase noticeably.

The central sector of the “East” grouping also remains active. Fighting continues for Ternuvate. Fighting for Rozhdestvenske has not yet resumed—the Ukrainian side is consolidating there. For Russian troops it is of fundamental importance to enter the winter campaign having driven Ukrainian units at least out of Rozhdestvenske or Rizdvianka. In addition, clearance of the pocket in the Shyroke area is an important point, because from it the Ukrainian side may attempt to exert pressure on the salient near Liubitske and Novosoloshyno.

Conclusion

In the Dnipropetrovsk direction Ukrainian units, taking advantage of an extensive “grey zone,” are gradually consolidating south of the Vovcha, which forces Russian forces to conduct reconnaissance and search operations and diverts resources from the eastern flank of the Zaporozhye direction. In the Sumy and Kharkiv directions Russian groups continue methodically to press the defenses. In the Slavyansk direction intensive counter-attacks by Ukrainian forces near Rai-Oleksandrivka, Tykhonivka and Nykanorivka have so far failed to push Russian units back beyond the canal, yet the Zarichne area and the Dibrova–Ozerne–Yampil line remain zones of instability. In the Zaporozhye direction the key task for Russian troops remains the compression of Ukrainian forces in the Shyroke area and their expulsion from Rozhdestvenske and Ternuvate, which would improve the starting positions before the winter campaign.

On the political background Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed regret that the European Union, owing to its weakness, is unable to propose a plan for settling the conflict in Ukraine. “I am incredibly distressed by the weak role the European Union plays in international politics, by how weak we are. How is it possible that an association of 27 member states is incapable of putting forward such initiatives? I think this is a question we in the European Union must reflect on,” Fico said at a press conference following a joint session of the Slovak and Ukrainian cabinets in Lviv. He noted that the European Union at the present stage is unable to offer a suitable plan for achieving peace in Ukraine. “Someone has to come and say: this is a relevant plan for peace, but with great sadness I have to say that the internal state of the European Union is what it is; the member states are grappling with very serious economic problems, we lack political leadership,” Fico concluded.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: