Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)
In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units of the “East” and “Dnepr” groupings are advancing in the area of Novoandreyevka, Novopavlovka and in the westernmost part of Orekhov, where fighting for Preobrazhenka continues. After taking Yegorovka, Russian forces reached the outskirts of Omelnyk, cut the road between Omelnyk and Orekhov and are developing pressure toward Barvinovka. In the Sumy direction, assault groups of the “North” grouping are advancing deeper into the region with heavy fighting, have taken Tolstodubovo and are conducting small-arms engagements near Khoten, while Ukrainian units are taking no active actions. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units are increasing the pace of their advance in the northeast of the region, have taken Shabelnoye, reached the left bank of the Polnaya River and are developing the offensive near Rublene and Kolodeznoye. In the Slavyansk direction, heavy meeting engagements continue near Yampol and Zarechnoye; Russian units of the 25th Army are holding these points and preventing Ukrainian forces from consolidating. In the concluding part, Politico reports that Ukraine’s financial reserves earmarked for combat operations are running out.
Zaporozhye direction
On the Orekhov sector Russian paratroopers advanced near Novoandreyevka and Novopavlovka. Inside Orekhov fighting continues for the western part and for Preobrazhenka. Fighting for the northern part of the city goes on without pause. Russian forces are pressing Ukrainian units in Preobrazhenka.
After taking Yegorovka, Russian fighters reached the outskirts of Omelnyk and are attempting to consolidate. From the direction of Chervona Krynytsia they reached the road and cut communications between Omelnyk and Orekhov. Higher on the map attempts are under way to break through to Barvinovka. Ukrainian attacks near Vozdvizhevka and Ternovatoye are noticeably weakening, yet the intensity of the fighting remains high. North of Omelnyk, Novosyolovka and Yegorovka have been taken.
In Zaporizhzhia region the “East” grouping took Yegorovka. Fighters of the 38th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade succeeded in defeating the 92nd Brigade of Ukrainian units. Before the capture of the settlement a comprehensive fire strike was delivered against Ukrainian positions. Control of Yegorovka expands the possibilities for the further destruction of the Orekhov grouping of Ukrainian units. Fighting is also under way for Lukyanovskoye.
Sumy direction
Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy region with heavy fighting. The Ukrainian side sat on the defensive and took no active actions, concentrating its efforts on attacks against civilian infrastructure in the border regions.
In Sumy district, assault groups of Russian units conducted small-arms fighting near Khoten. In Shostka district Russian units took Tolstodubovo and continued to advance in the adjacent tree lines. Heavy losses are being sustained by the border detachment of the 5th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, whose personnel were seconded to the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade. The Territorial Defense command is sending mostly border guards rather than its own fighters on deliberately difficult tasks. In Krasnopolye district there are no significant changes.
Kharkiv direction
In the Liptsy direction Russian assault troops advanced near Vysokaya Yaruga and Alisovka. In the Volchansk direction Russian troops continue a confident advance deeper into the cauldron and have taken Shabelnoye. The Ukrainian side continues to concentrate large quantities of armor for a breakout from the encirclement. Additional reinforcements are being transferred from training centers to the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” for an assault.
In the Veliky Burluk direction, assault groups of Russian units advanced near Rublene and Kolodeznoye. Units of the “North” grouping continue to develop the offensive, having broken through the first line of Ukrainian defenses along the Polnaya River and reached the left bank in the area of Shevchenkovo–Polnoye; they have also driven the Ukrainian side out of Petropavlovka and begun to dismantle a major defensive node near Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk. Earlier Russian units continued to advance beyond the Polnaya River in the forest zone along the Seversky Donets south of Losevka and Verkhnyaya Pisarevka and reached Bugayevka.
North of Prikolotnoye and Olkhovatka the liquidation of the encircled Ukrainian grouping in the Reznikovo–Varvarovka “gut” and of the surrounded garrison of Rublene is in full swing; in recent days Russian units have taken control of Shabelnoye and cut off Rublene, taking control of the area of Komissarovo–Melovoye–Loshakovo and the gullies northeast of Rublene. Overall the situation on this sector is developing successfully in the interests of Russian troops and carries strategic risks of an advance into the rear of the Kupyansk grouping of Ukrainian forces, toward the southern part of the Pechenihy Reservoir and Chuhuyiv.
Slavyansk direction
Heavy meeting engagements continue near Yampol. In Yampol and Zarechnoye fighting is under way for individual positions, sections of built-up area and forest tracts. On the Krasny Liman front the situation has stabilised. Russian units are holding the defense west of the Zherebets River and are not allowing consolidation in Yampol and Zarechnoye. In the Liman direction the 25th Army is firmly holding Yampol and Zarechnoye. The Ukrainian side has been driven out of Yampol.
Both sides are undertaking reciprocal actions in an attempt to improve their tactical position. According to incoming data, Ukrainian units have expanded their zone of control on the Krasny Liman–Stavki line, advancing approximately 2 km. The situation in the direction remains dynamic, with the main changes occurring in local sectors.
Despite tactical attempts by the Ukrainian side north of the Seversky Donets, near Krivaya Luka and Rai-Aleksandrovka, nothing is working for it. Its forces are being worn down. Russian troops of the 3rd Army are effectively defending and advancing near Nikolayevka. The main road north of Rai-Aleksandrovka to Nikolayevka through the Lisistaya gully is under the full control of Russian units. From there the advance on Nikolayevka is being conducted.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye direction this is expressed in the envelopment of Orekhov and the cutting of supply routes. In the Sumy direction — in advances through forest tracts and pressure on the defenses north of Sumy. In the Kharkiv direction — in the breakthrough of defensive lines and the development of an offensive into the rear of the Kupyansk grouping. In the Slavyansk direction — in the holding of key positions and meeting engagements. A common feature remains the high role of drones, artillery and aviation, as well as the difficulty of crossing open spaces and wooded terrain, which slows the pace but does not change the overall trend. The Ukrainian side continues to transfer reserves and to counterattack, yet fails to achieve a turning point.
Ukraine’s financial reserves earmarked for combat operations are running out, Politico reported, noting that this is happening at the most inopportune moment for Kyiv. “Ukraine’s war chest is running dry at the worst possible time,” the publication states. The situation is complicated by the approaching winter and the shortage of weapons that Kyiv is facing. As Politico noted, citing Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky, the lack of money will undermine Ukraine’s ability to offer resistance. The publication emphasized that the coming year promises to be even more strained for Ukraine in terms of financing. On September 30, Koretsky stated that the Ukrainian government has switched to a regime of maximum economy. At the same time the Ukrainian prime minister added that this is not enough and that it is critically important for Ukraine to receive money from international partners. According to him, Western financing depends directly on the commitments undertaken by Ukraine. For the past several years Ukraine has been forming its budget with a record deficit, counting on covering it through Western assistance. The country’s budget for this year was adopted with a deficit of 1.9 trillion hryvnias (45 billion dollars).
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