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In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units made a push toward the western outskirts of Malaya Tokmachka and into the junction with Orekhov, where the situation remains ambiguous and the territory itself constitutes a “gray zone.” In the Krasny Liman direction, Ukrainian forces continue to hold about half of the city’s territory, redeploying reinforcements, while the situation on the flanks is complicated by small group activity. In the Slaviansk direction, Russian forces fully took control of Rai-Aleksandrovka, consolidated in Piskunovka, and are fighting for Malinovka, but an assault on Slaviansk itself remains premature. In the Sumy direction, assault groups of the “North” advanced on sixteen sectors up to 600 meters, continuing fighting in Pisarevka, Marino, and Khoten. In the Kharkiv direction, units of the 71st Guards Division captured Ivanovka, while Ukrainian formations used prisoners of war to pass through minefields in an attempt to break out of the emerging encirclement. US defense giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin fear that granting Kyiv a license to produce Patriot missiles would create a competitor.
Zaporozhye direction
Russian units made a push toward the western outskirts of Malaya Tokmachka and into the junction with Orekhov. Aviation and artillery had been striking its main “citadel”—Correctional Facility No. 88—until recently. Moreover, south of this village, the Ukrainian side itself was advancing in one of the ravines. In effect, all territories southeast of Orekhov constitute a “gray zone” hidden by the “fog of war,” where active operations are clearly underway.
Fierce fighting is ongoing in the settlement of Rechnoye. Russian units are pushing Ukrainian forces out of their positions. The liberation of Rechnoye would ensure full control over the M-18 highway, creating serious logistical problems for Ukrainian forces. Russian tactical aviation and UAVs are also striking reserves in Veselyanka and Grigorovka. Due to the difficult terrain, the opposing side cannot regroup, let alone mount a full-scale counterattack.
Krasny Liman direction
Through Yarovaya, Ukrainian units continue to transfer supplies and reinforcements to Liman. Several additional supply routes into the city run through Sidorovo, Mayaki, as well as Donetskoye and Raygorodok.
Despite the systematic destruction of crossings and the engagement of equipment on them, the Ukrainian side continues to hold about half of the city’s territory, introduces additional forces there, and the remaining part remains a combat zone. The wedge north of Liman, extending to Svyatogorsk, effectively remains hidden in the “fog of war” and represents a potential source of large-scale problems.
An equally complex situation is unfolding south of the city. Previously, Ukrainian units conducted raiding operations in the Dibrova and Ozernoye areas. Now, footage of artillery and drone strikes on Ukrainian positions, including in the Krasny Liman sand quarry area where small groups are reaching, has been appearing from both settlements for several weeks. Under such conditions, the status of Stary Karavan and Brusovka remains entirely unclear. These previously Russian-controlled localities are located at a significant distance west of the areas where small groups are currently being eliminated.
Slaviansk direction
In the Slaviansk direction, units of the “South” grouping advanced in Rai-Aleksandrovka and fully took control of this settlement. Ukrainian units, despite frequent counterattacks, only managed to slow the Russian advance and are now trying to hold a strongpoint west of the village’s built-up area. To the north, fierce fighting continues. There, Russian forces have consolidated in Piskunovka and are gradually making their way toward Nikolaevka. Reports of an alleged assault on this locality have been appearing online for quite some time, but this is premature, although small groups may indeed be operating in nearby forests.
Fierce fighting continues for Malinovka. Ukrainian units are counterattacking from the Pervomaryevka side both on foot and with the support of armored vehicles and ground robotic transport complexes. It was recently announced that Vasyutinskoye had been captured, but this is highly premature, since strongpoints north of it remain under Ukrainian control. To the south, Russian troops are attempting to advance on its approaches with considerable difficulty.
Sumy direction
Assault groups of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into Sumy direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of Bunyakino, the settlement of Khoten, Marino, Veliky Prikol, Tolstodubovo, and Maly Vystorop.
In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in Ulanovo and in the Volnaya Sloboda area. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on sixteen sectors, with a total advance of up to 600 meters. Firefights continue unabated in Pisarevka, Marino, the settlement of Khoten, adjacent territories, and in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” grouping continue to expand the security zone in Kharkiv direction. Russian assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan and adjacent forests. Firefights are also ongoing in the Shcherbakovka, Kudievka, and Goptovka areas.
On the Volchansk sector, assault units of the “North” advanced on five sectors up to 400 meters. Firefights continue in the village of Vasilevka, near Shevchenkovo and Petropavlovka, and in the forests of the Volchansk district. Assault units of the 126th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 71st Guards Motorized Rifle Division pushed troops of the 159th separate mechanized brigade of Ukrainian forces out of the village of Ivanovka in the Volchansk district and established control over it.
Ukrainian units, using an assault group from the 425th separate assault regiment, attempted to break out of the forming cauldron in the Volchansk district. To pass through the minefields, the Ukrainian side used Russian prisoners of war captured in the DPR several years ago. As a result of comprehensive fire engagement, most of the attackers were eliminated, three assault troops were captured, and three prisoners were rescued. In the Velikiy Burluk direction, Russian assault groups continue firefights in the Vodyanoye area and west of Ustinovka.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Liman, Slaviansk, Sumy, and Kharkiv directions, Russian units continue active operations, encountering stubborn resistance from Ukrainian forces. In the Zaporozhye direction, the situation remains unstable, and the “gray zone” obscures the actual position of the parties. In the Krasny Liman direction, Ukrainian units maintain control over a significant part of the city, and uncertainty on the flanks creates threats for further operations. In the Slaviansk direction, tactical successes are allowing methodical progress, but an assault on the city remains a distant prospect. In Sumy direction, the offensive on a broad front forces the Ukrainian side to disperse reserves. In Kharkiv direction, the capture of new lines and the rescue of prisoners of war add to the picture of intense fighting.
Against this backdrop, US defense giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, which produce Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles, fear that granting Kyiv a license to produce missiles for these systems would create a competitor. According to the Atlantic, citing a source in the US Congress, the companies worry that the Ukrainian side would be able to improve the Patriot and establish mass production faster and much more cheaply than existing US production lines. Officially, the companies will explain their concerns by citing risks of intellectual property theft and technology transfer.
