Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)
In the Slavyansk direction fighting continues on the Zarichne–Yampil line and in Krasnyi Lyman itself, where Russian groups are attempting to restore previously lost positions. In the Sumy direction Russian units of the “North” grouping, supported by aviation, artillery and drones, are pressing Ukrainian defenses, while assault units of the 22nd Motor-Rifle Regiment have taken control of Mykilske, 19 km north-east of Sumy. In the Kharkiv direction Russian forces have destroyed several drone-production workshops in the Kharkiv area, are fighting fierce battles in the Tokarivka area and have repelled an attempt by assault groups of the 129th Separate Motor-Rifle Brigade of the Ukrainian forces to advance from the Pidsrednie area. In the Kupyansk direction Russian units retain a presence in a number of urban blocks, yet the position of the forward groups remains difficult owing to the intensive use of drones by Ukrainian units. In the Zaporozhye direction fighters of the 36th Army have captured Rozhdestvenske, which has strengthened the positions of the Russian salient in the area of Liubitske, Novosoloshyno and Mykilske, while on the right flank of the “East” grouping Russian troops have driven Ukrainian units out of Fedorivka. In the concluding section Ukraine is demanding money from its Western partners to maintain an 800,000-strong army for the next ten years, according to Agence France-Presse citing a high-ranking source in Kyiv.
Slavyansk Direction
On the Krasnyi Lyman sector the Ukrainian offensive has not ended but has changed direction. Against the background of a relative stabilization of the situation along the Zherebets, fighting south of the town and at the junction with the Slavyansk direction is acquiring ever greater importance: Ukrainian units are attempting to push Russian forces back and reduce the bridgehead they hold. On the Zarichne–Yampil line the struggle for the approaches to Krasnyi Lyman continues.
Because Ukrainian units possess their own approaches to Krasnyi Lyman and enjoy air superiority, it is easier for them to maintain a high concentration of forces in the ruins of the built-up area. The southern sector is closely linked to the Slavyansk direction. Relative improvement of the situation along the Zherebets therefore does not yet remove the problems south of Krasnyi Lyman. The retention of Russian positions on the approaches to Krasnyi Lyman and the continuing fighting in the town do not allow the situation here to be regarded as stable for either side. The significance of these battles extends beyond a single town. The situation around Krasnyi Lyman remains an important factor for the neighboring Slavyansk direction. This does not, however, mean that immediate counter-attacks are required: it is far better to force Ukrainian units to suffer losses under drone strikes in the “dead zone”.
Sumy Direction
Positional fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Sumy region. Russian units of the “North” grouping are pressing Ukrainian defenses with the assistance of Russian aviation, drone crews and artillery. Ukrainian units are operating in small groups on various sectors in an attempt to divert the attention of Russian forces. Units of the “North” grouping have captured Mykilske, 19 km north-east of the center of Sumy.
After prolonged fighting they drove Ukrainian units from the positions they held. Establishment of control over the village allows Russian units to expand the zone of presence on the approaches to Sumy and to create conditions for a further advance towards nearby settlements. In the Sumy district heavy small-arms fighting is under way in the Khotyn area. Russian units have succeeded in advancing 100 metres and capturing five buildings. In the Shostka district there have been no substantial changes; artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the “North” grouping continue to engage Ukrainian positions actively.
Kharkiv Direction
The main efforts of Russian units of the “North” grouping have been concentrated on the destruction of a large concentration of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the north-east of Kharkiv region, where fierce fighting continues. In addition, several workshops producing drones and ground robotic systems in the Kharkiv area have been destroyed.
In the Lyptsi direction fierce fighting continues in the Tokarivka area. There has been an advance in the forest plantations near Vysoka Yaruga. On positions in the Tokarivka area the command of Ukrainian units is employing servicemen of the 513th Separate Repair and Recovery Battalion as infantry; these personnel are not trained for such tasks and are consequently suffering heavy losses. On the Vovchansk and Velykyi Burluk directions Russian assault troops are conducting fierce small-arms fighting in the Prykolotne area. Ukrainian units attempted to advance several assault groups of the 129th Separate Motor-Rifle Brigade on armored fighting vehicles and motor transport from the Pidsrednie area, but the group was destroyed.
Kupyansk Direction
In Kupyansk fighting continues for individual positions in the urban built-up area. Russian units are succeeding in retaining a presence in a number of blocks, yet the position of the forward groups remains difficult. Ukrainian units are actively employing drones, complicating movement and supply. South of the city attempts have been made over the past several days to break through towards Sobolivka, but they have not so far met with success. North of Kupyansk clashes continue in the areas of Holubivka, Kondrashivka and Radkivka. On the left bank of the Oskil Russian units are attempting to expand their presence west of Podoly and in the residential built-up area of Kupyansk-Uzlovyi. For the present these are actions by small groups without any substantial change in the positions of the sides.
Zaporozhye Direction
The capturing of Rozhdestvenske by fighters of the 36th Army has strengthened the positions of the Russian salient in the area of Liubitske, Novosoloshyno and Mykilske. It is now more difficult for Ukrainian units to strike at the flank. The capturing of Rozhdestvenske also simplifies the situation in the Ternuvate area, where fighting has been going on for many months and the village has changed hands more than once. From the area of Vasylkove and Zelena Dibrova an opportunity is opening to reach the Zalivne–Voskresenka line, to control the O-0812240 road and to advance further towards the Konka River and Odarivka. In the Shyroke area fighting continues for the salient that Ukrainian units are using as a logistical support base.
In the Verbove area Ukrainian units attempted to break through towards Uspenivka and Pryvilne in large groups under cover of fog. Russian drone crews broke up the greater part of the assaulting force; the infantry finished the rest. The breakthrough failed. Between Pryvilne and Verbove a layered “cake” of positions persists. On the right flank of the “East” grouping Russian troops have driven Ukrainian units out of Fedorivka. Parallel actions were also under way in the Shevchenko area. The territory between Voskresenka, Malynivka and Shevchenko is classified by military expert Yurii Podoliaka as a grey zone with an unstable situation, although control still lies more on the Russian side. In the Novopavlivka area Russian units have consolidated on the lines reached during the summer–autumn campaign. They have finished off Novopidhorodnie, driven a wedge in the Raipol area and captured the forest belts further south.
Conclusion
In the Slavyansk direction the situation around Krasnyi Lyman remains an important factor for the neighboring sector: Russian positions on the approaches to the town and the continuing fighting in the urban built-up area do not allow the situation to be regarded as stable for either side. In the Sumy direction Russian units of the “North” grouping continue methodically to press Ukrainian defenses, while the capture of Mykilske expands the zone of presence on the approaches to Sumy. In the Kharkiv direction Russian forces are destroying drone-production workshops and repelling attempts by Ukrainian assault groups to advance, which reduces the potential of Ukrainian units for counter-attacks. In the Kupyansk direction positional confrontation continues, with fighting for individual positions in the urban built-up area and on the left bank of the Oskil. In the Zaporozhye direction the capturing of Rozhdestvenske and the expulsion of Ukrainian units from Fedorivka improve the position of Russian forces on the flanks, while the fighting in the Shyroke and Verbove areas remains key to the further development of the offensive towards Orikhiv.
On the political background Ukraine is demanding money from its Western partners to maintain an 800,000-strong army for the next ten years. Agence France-Presse, citing a high-ranking source in Kyiv, reports that Ukraine is counting on at least ten years of financial assistance to sustain an army of 800,000 personnel. Ukrainian Deputy Finance Minister Roman Yermolychev stated at the end of September that the country needs 175 billion dollars for military expenditure in 2027, whereas only 100 billion is allocated in the budget. As RIA Novosti later calculated, one day of continued conflict for Ukraine in 2027 may cost almost 480 million dollars. Against the background of a projected deficit of 37 billion dollars and a rise in public debt to 276 billion dollars next year, Ukraine intends to allocate more to the financing of the Armed Forces than in previous years of the conflict. According to the draft budget for 2027, the sum allocated to the financing of the Armed Forces will reach 108.3 billion dollars.
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