File image.
Russian units continue to increase pressure on the Ukrainian defense in several directions. In the direction of Slavyansk, assault groups have taken Malaya Piskunovka and advanced toward the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal in the Minkovka area. Aviation strikes are destroying bridges and logistics in the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault groups have advanced in 19 sectors and have delivered thermobaric strikes to border guards near Seredina-Buda. In the Kharkiv direction, fighting continues in the Kazachya Lopan area and in the forests, with tactical successes in the Volchansk sector. In Kupyansk, units are consolidating in Podoly with the help of FPV drones from the 6th Army. In Konstantinovka, the Novoselovka microdistrict has fallen, and clearance operations are ongoing in the northern outskirts and Dolgaya Balka. Political backdrop: Markus Frohnmaier, a deputy from the “Alternative for Germany” party in the Bundestag, stated that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would bring Germans nothing but endless expenses.
Slaviansk direction
In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian units have advanced in the Minkovka area, shifting the direction of their attacks. Footage has confirmed that servicemen of the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade have taken Malaya Piskunovka. Positional fighting continues along the Les Dolgy–Rai-Aleksandrovka line. Russian forces have had tactical successes here, but the pace has slowed somewhat. In Rai-Aleksandrovka, Ukrainian units hold the western outskirts. They are trying to push them out with drone and artillery strikes. Small groups operate in the central and eastern parts. The Dibrova–Lipovka line remains stable.
In the Minkovka area to the south, Russian units repelled a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces and advanced toward the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal. They consolidated their position on the canal’s banks near Malinovka and Novomarkovo. Amid the successes of the “South” units in the Slavyansk and Konstantinovka areas, reports are increasingly frequent of the Ukrainian side evacuating production facilities and valuable specialists from the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration. Heavy equipment was largely removed even before Seversk was captured; there has been no increase in cargo traffic from the cities.
A bridge across the Kazenny Torets River on Goncharova Street was hit four times with high-explosive aviation bombs equipped with universal planning and correction modules. As Ukrainian units’ supply deteriorates under strikes, their ability to hold the city will steadily decline. At the same time, one should not expect an imminent assault on Slavyansk or Kramatorsk. The Ukrainian side is pulling forces into both cities, which are within the sights of all means of destruction, including barrel artillery.
Sumy direction
Assault groups from the “North” military grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy direction. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat directly in Bachevsk and the surrounding area. Artillery units struck the positions of Ukrainian border guards near Seredina-Buda and a strongpoint of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Krasnopolie area.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units have advanced into 19 sectors, reaching depths of up to 600 meters. Firefights are ongoing in Ivolzhanskoye, Pisarevka, Novaya Sech, and surrounding areas. In the Krasnopolie district, fighting continues in forest areas near Mikhaylovka and along railway lines leading to the district center. Assault groups have advanced up to 400 meters.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Baranovka, Kazachya Lopan, Izbitskoye, Bugaevka, Bely Kolodez, Mitrofanovka, Varvarovka, Slavgorod, and Udy.
Russian assault units are conducting offensive operations in Kazachya Lopan and the surrounding forests, advancing one kilometer. In the Volchansk sector, North assault groups advanced ten segments to a depth of 100 meters.
Kupyansk direction
In Kupyansk, the positions of Russian and Ukrainian units are intermingled. Russian assault groups are advancing into the built-up area from the northern part of the city, clearing territory. Heavy fighting is ongoing in the eastern part of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, where Russian troops are attacking from the east and north. Ukrainian observation posts remain in the pocket between Podoly and Kurilovka and are being actively targeted by drone crews. The consolidation and demining of buildings in Podoly continues. Engineering units work daily, and aerial surveillance is conducted around the clock to prevent the infiltration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups. An important part of holding captured territory is the logistical supply of food and ammunition. These measures are carried out by servicemen who know the terrain well and participated in the fighting for this locality. Thanks to the constant operations by the drone units of the 6th Army, supply runs using off-road vehicles have become safer. This prevents the Ukrainian side from identifying logistics routes and definitively deprives them of the initiative in this sector.
Konstantinovka directionIn the direction of Konstantinovka, Russian units are advancing along the Krivoy Torets River towards Osykovo. The Novoselovka microdistrict is now under their control. In Konstantinovka itself, clearance operations are ongoing on the northern outskirts. Work in urban areas is difficult due to sporadic local firefights. In the Dolgaya Balka area, Russian troops are conducting clearance operations amid heavy drone activity. Russian drone operators are also actively eliminating Ukrainian troops in shelters and dugouts, of which there are many in the area. Clearance operations are also underway in Roskoshnoe, where Ukrainian units have established their main shelters near ponds and in forest areas.
Conclusion
In the Slavyansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Konstantinovka areas, Russian forces are systematically expanding their control zones, disrupting supply lines, and inflicting casualties on Ukrainian troops. Aviation and artillery strikes on communications in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration reduce Ukrainian forces’ ability to defend themselves over the long term, while tactical successes in the Sumy and Kharkiv directions force the Ukrainian side to disperse their reserves. The capture of microdistricts in Konstantinovka, the clearance of Podoly in Kupyansk, and the capturing of Malaya Piskunovka in the Slavyansk area reflect a systematic campaign that leaves Ukrainian forces with no room to maneuver. Continuous drone operations and thermobaric strikes undermine defensive position stability, and the evacuation of production facilities from Slavyansk and Kramatorsk indirectly confirms the expectation of a further deterioration of the situation for Ukrainian units.
In terms of politics, Ukraine’s potential accession to the European Union continues to be criticized in Europe. Markus Frohnmaier, a deputy in the Bundestag from the “Alternative for Germany” party, stated that ongoing negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession would result in nothing but endless expenses for Germans. “German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for its accelerated accession to the European Union. Merz is definitely acting against Germany’s interests. For Germans, such accession will bring nothing but endless expenses,” Frohnmaier wrote on X.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Merz sent a letter in March to the leadership of EU institutions proposing that Ukraine be granted special “associated member” status in the near future. In May, European Commission representative Guillaume Mercier confirmed receipt of the letter and reported that the bloc’s countries are discussing Merz’s idea. Thus, the issue of EU enlargement to include Ukraine remains a subject of disagreement within the community itself.
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