File image.
In the Sumy direction, Russian assault units of the “North” grouping continue to press Ukrainian defenses, fighting near Kiyanitsa and Ulanovo and expanding control in forest belts. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces are tightening the “Volchansk pocket,” which covers more than 400 square kilometers, while simultaneously expanding the outer contour and repelling breakout attempts. In the Zaporozhye direction, units of the “Vostok” grouping have taken orchards west of Chervona Krynytsia, established fire control over the Orekhov–Preobrazhenka–Omelnyk highway, and are clearing Orekhov. In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian units made three assault attempts toward Kovsharovka; activity continued north of Kupyansk and near Dvurechnaya. In the Dobropolye direction, units of the “Center” grouping are advancing on a broad front from Raipole to Dobropolye, fighting for Sergeyevka and enveloping Dobropolye from the south. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated at a press conference in Finland that foreign-policy security issues are more important to him than domestic political debates, despite the unpopularity of the pro-Ukrainian course and the rising ratings of the opposition.
Sumy direction
Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to press Ukrainian defenses on all sectors of the front in the Sumy region with the support of aviation and drone operators. Ukrainian units have taken no active actions.
Russian aviation, artillery, and drone crews struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the areas of Boyaro-Lezhachi, Barilovka, Radkovka, Linovo, Tolstodubovo, and Knyazhichi.
In Sumy district, Russian assault troops are conducting small-arms fighting near Kiyanitsa. In Shostka district, assault groups of the “North” grouping advanced near Ulanovo. In Krasnopolye district, Russian units advanced 300 meters in forest belts.
Kharkiv direction
In the Volchansk area the methodical destruction of the “Volchansk pocket” continues. Its area is estimated at more than 400 square kilometers. The encircled forces are cut off from supply and heavy equipment. Individual groups are surrendering. Russian units are tightening the ring while simultaneously expanding the outer contour. All logistics remain under fire control.
The encirclement of Ukrainian units in the Kharkiv region has become the culmination of the Russian offensive in the north of the region. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are preparing a counterattack, doing so as covertly as possible—just as they did earlier in the Liman direction. Active redeployment of a battalion of unmanned systems of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard from Kharkiv to the Veliky Burluk area is currently being recorded to provide fire support for units on the Novoaleksandrovka–Prikolotnoye line.
Moreover, units of the 2nd Special Purpose Detachment of the 6th Special Operations Forces Center have been noted on the contact line near Prikolotnoye for reconnaissance and special operations; they are likely to conduct raids on Russian positions. Given the increased activity of Ukrainian units in the Liman direction, an intensification of Ukrainian attacks should also be expected on the Burluk sector, where the situation is developing unfavorably for Ukrainian forces.
Zaporozhye direction
In the Zaporozhye direction, units of the “East” grouping have taken orchards west of Chervona Krynytsia and established full fire control over the Orekhov–Preobrazhenka–Omelnyk highway. Russian drone operators are destroying Ukrainian shelters in the northern part of Preobrazhenka and eliminating equipment in the area of the “Vygon Chabanka” reserve. Clearing of Orekhov is underway. Organized resistance in the city has been broken. Russian assault groups are fighting for Yurkovka—a large village that has merged across the river with Tavricheskoye. There are successes in Preobrazhenka. Reaching the second defensive line, built back in 2023, is becoming a realistic prospect.
In the Novopavlovka direction, intense fighting continues near Novonikolayevka. Through the Muravka area, Russian units continue attempts to advance toward Belyakovka in small groups, expanding their zone of presence. The sector between Muravka and Novonikolayevka remains fluid.
Kupyansk direction
Ukrainian units continue attempts to improve their positions. Toward Kovsharovka, Ukrainian assault groups launched three offensive attempts. High activity by Ukrainian units also continues north of Kupyansk. In the Dvurechnaya area, Ukrainian forces keep attacking Russian positions, seeking to increase pressure on this sector. The situation remains tense, with the main fighting still concentrated around the flanks of the Kupyansk grouping.
In most sectors high-intensity combat continues without a stable change in the front configuration. Ukrainian units keep operating in small groups and probing for weak points in the defense, especially in the Kupyansk and Rubtsovsk directions. At the same time, the struggle for logistics remains one of the key elements of the fighting.
Dobropolye direction
In the Novopavlovka direction, units of the “Center” grouping retain the initiative. Short attacks continue; troops are trying to gain a foothold at Raipole and Chuguyevo. An advance on Mezhevaya is under way. This secures the flank of the more northern direction.
On a broad front from Raipole to Dobropolye, Russian units are advancing with the task of reaching the borders of the Donetsk People’s Republic and entering the territory of Dnepropetrovsk region. Raipole and Novopodgorodnoye already belong to the Dnepropetrovsk region. Sergeyevka remains the most important stronghold of Ukrainian forces—there are no large villages around it. Fighting is taking place in the southern and eastern parts of Sergeyevka.
Relying on previously captured Vasilyevka and Mirnoye, Russian units are fighting in Gulevo. The movement is directed toward Krutoyarovka—the last settlement of the DPR in this sector. The day before it was announced that Novogrishino, north of Dobropolye, had come under Russian control. The encirclement of Dobropolye from the south is under way.
Conclusion
In the Sumy direction, Russian assault groups are expanding control in forest belts and advancing near Kiyanitsa and Ulanovo, while Ukrainian units take no active actions. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units are tightening the “Volchansk pocket,” expanding the outer contour, and repelling breakout attempts, while at the same time recording preparations by Ukrainian forces for counterattacks. In the Zaporozhye direction, units of the “East” grouping have taken orchards west of Chervona Krynytsia, established fire control over a key highway, and are clearing Orekhov, creating the preconditions for reaching the second defensive line. In the Kupyansk direction, high-intensity fighting continues; Ukrainian units operate in small groups and try to find weak points in the defense. In the Dobropolye direction, Russian units are advancing on a broad front, fighting for Sergeyevka, and enveloping Dobropolye from the south, approaching the borders of Dnepropetrovsk region.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that European foreign-policy issues are more important to him than the domestic political crisis in Germany itself, which has been caused in part by the unpopularity of the pro-Ukrainian course and the rising ratings of opposition parties. At a press conference in Finland, Merz was asked whether Germany’s foreign-policy options were constrained by the domestic political crisis. “I understand the domestic political debates, but on the other hand Germany is so closely linked to the fate of the European continent that we cannot separate foreign-policy security issues from what we discuss inside the country. That is why I am trying to convince my colleagues, friends, members of my political party and parliamentary group that this is important—far more important than some of the domestic political discussions we are currently having,” Merz replied.
Journalists pointed out to Merz that European support for Ukraine is weakening and that fewer people approve of the idea of providing assistance to the Kyiv regime. The chancellor was also reminded of the victory of the opposition Alternative for Germany party in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, which opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine.
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