Ukrainian Losses In Slaviansk Sector: Russian Army Captures Zakotne and Advance Towards Kryva Luka

In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops advancing from Pleshcheivka seized control of the heights near the northern bank of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir. They also reached the western outskirts of Berestok, where clashes persist. In the Krasnyi Liman sector, there are ongoing fierce engagements on the southern outskirts of Krasnyi Liman, where assault groups have broken through to the northeastern outskirts of the city. In the Slaviansk sector, the Russian 7th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade has taken full control of Zakotne and is advancing toward the chalk quarry, threatening Kryva Luka. In the Sumy sector, Russian forces advanced up to 800 meters on sixteen sections of the front in the Sumy, Krasnopillia, and Hlukhiv districts. In the forest southwest of Liman, Russian assault units advanced 600 meters and captured one strongpoint in the Kharkiv sector. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the European Commission’s decision to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan.

Kostiantynivka Sector

In the Kostiantynivka sector, units of the Russian “South” grouping continued to advance tactically, achieving local but significant successes in the suburbs and on the approaches to the city. The main focus is on establishing a stable external ring of pressure.

A key achievement was establishing control over the dominant heights near the northern bank of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir by units advancing from Pleshcheivka. This allowed them to link up with units advancing northwest of the reservoir, creating a unified front that extends to the southern outskirts of Berestok. Combat operations are currently ongoing on the western outskirts of Berestok.

Meanwhile, advancing units are expanding their control zone to the west of Berestok towards Illynivka, where they are engaging the Ukrainian force. A similar situation is observed on the southwestern outskirts of Kostiantynivka. Further southwest, assault groups have consolidated on the southeastern outskirts of Stepanivka. Within the city limits of Kostiantynivka, there is a complex and dynamic situation involving clashes. There has been tactical advancement north of the railway station in the Trudova and Internationalna street area up to the Dolenka River.

Krasnyi Liman Sector

In the Krasnyi Liman area, the Russian “West” military group is engaged in intense combat operations within the city of Krasnyi Liman and along its outskirts. The situation is characterized by high dynamism and fierce resistance.

In the city, the main confrontations are concentrated on the southern outskirts, in an area known as the “triangle.” As a result of the fighting, Russian forces dislodged Ukrainian troops from their fortified positions on the outskirts of the city and advanced to the northeastern part of Krasnyi Liman. They captured several streets, including Podstepna, Shyroka, Tsimlianska, and Ostrovskoho. Fighting also continues in the Masliakovka area and for a major stronghold near the road to Zarechne, which is located northeast of the settlement.

An important element of the operational picture was the destruction of crossings in the Bohorodychne and Maiaky areas to complicate logistics and reserve maneuvers. There have been active clashes at other key locations, including large strongpoints between Krasnyi Liman and Stavky, on the western outskirts of Stavky, in the Shablyn Yar gully area, and east of the fur farm and Drobysheve.

On the northern approaches to Svyatohirsk, there is ongoing fighting for the Yarovaya and Sosnovoye settlements, where assault groups have consolidated in the western and eastern parts. Advancing in the forest zone between these locations enabled forces to reach the northern outskirts of Svyatohirsk. Battles are currently taking place for the “Perlyna” wellness complex there. Southeast of Krasnyi Liman, the situation remains tense between the forestry enterprise and Dibrova, as well as in the southwestern part of Dibrova itself. There were several counterattacks using armored vehicles from the direction of Brusivka, one of which was repelled with the loss of an armored vehicle for the attackers.

Slaviansk Sector

In the Slaviansk sector, there has been a systematic advancement of Russian troops to the west of Sievierk. The main effort is to consolidate successes and create conditions for a further offensive toward Slavyansk.

A significant tactical victory was the complete seizure of the village of Zakotne by the 7th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the Group “South.” This was facilitated by prior control of the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets River and a key strongpoint on Krysa Hill, the dominant height south of Zakotne. Currently, units are advancing along the slope on the southwestern outskirts of the village toward the chalk quarry, where Ukrainian forces have established fortified positions. Capturing these heights opens a direct path to Kryva Luka.

The offensive toward Kryva Luka is developing in several directions. From Sievierk, Russian units are advancing along the heights and dislodging Ukrainian groups from strongpoints north of Reznikivka. From Ozerne, Russian assault units of the 25th Army reached the area of the southern outskirts, repelling constant counterattacks and operating under drone fire. South of Zakotne, assault groups dislodged Ukrainian forces from several positions and reached a height overlooking Kryva Luka, Kalenyky, and Reznikivka. On the southern flank, south of Reznikivka, the advance is taking place in the forested areas of Babachyi, Sorochyi, and Velykyi Vovchyi. Height 193.4 has been captured. These actions aim to split the defenses and threaten the flanks and rear of the Reznikivka and Kalenyky groupings. There are ongoing fierce engagements for Nykyforivka and Reznikivka, and there have been periodic attempts by small Ukrainian groups to penetrate Sviatoho-Pokrovske.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, north of Huliaipole, the “East” forces resumed offensive actions. During the fighting, they took control of the Yeleno-Kostiantynivka settlement. This success allowed them to eliminate the consequences of previous attacks by Ukrainian assault groups between Dobropillia and Varvarka. It also expanded the breach in one of the defense lines in the Zaporizhzhia region. This deprived Ukrainian units of their positions along the western bank of the Haichur River.

In the Huliaipole area, there are ongoing attempts to infiltrate infantry from Zaliznychne. This activity is likely to persist until the “East” units launch a full-scale assault on the settlement after reaching the Dorozhnianka–Huliaipole line. Overall, the Zaporizhzhia sector remains one of the most dynamic, in conjunction with the actions of the “Dnepr” grouping on the western flank.

Kupiansk Sector

The situation in the Kupiansk sector remains extremely complex and fierce, characterized by positional struggles and high tension. The Ukrainian command continues to deploy new units in the city, conducting combat operations within the city limits and on bridgeheads.

In the northern part of the sector, near Kondrashivka, Russian troops are striking Ukrainian positions. Attempts by small Ukrainian assault groups to infiltrate Kupiansk continue. Inside the city, efforts are underway to relieve isolated Russian groups. Fighters are reportedly still holding positions in the city administration building, which was previously the subject of conflicting reports about an assault on it. A sniper who was covering the approaches was eliminated in the central city hospital.

In Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, the main effort is to disrupt the Ukrainian units’ logistics. Aviation and artillery are systematically striking crossings used for transferring weapons and reserves. Despite their repeated destruction, Ukrainian engineering units constantly rebuild the crossings. On the eastern outskirts of Kurylivka, drone control points were detected and destroyed, and a shift in drone launch points was noted south of Pishchane. Drones operators continue to work, and successful strikes on positions and command posts in the Stepova Novoselivka area have been recorded.

Sumy Sector

In the Sumy sector, Russian units are advancing on multiple sections at a high pace in a local offensive. Aviation, artillery, and strike drone crews are providing active support.

Advancements were recorded on ten sections of the front in the Sumy district, three sections in the Krasnopillia district, and three sections in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance depth in the sector is up to 800 meters. South of the Varachyno settlement, a Ukrainian mechanized brigade’s attempted counterattack was thwarted. Reconnaissance detected the group’s movement in advance and suppressed it with combined fire.

Kharkiv Sector

Intensive combat operations continue in the Kharkiv sector. Russian “North” assault units are advancing on most sections of the front with the support of aviation, heavy flamethrower systems, and artillery. They are encountering fierce resistance.

In the Staritsa area, they advanced 500 meters across four sections. Aviation strikes were delivered to positions in the area. In the forested area southwest of Liman, assault troops advanced 600 meters, cleared a section of the forest, and captured a strongpoint. To hinder further advancement, the Ukrainian command is actively employing remote area mining tactics using drones. In the Volchanskie Khutora area, troops advanced 200 meters and captured two industrial buildings. Identified positions were destroyed by fire from heavy flamethrower systems. In the Melovoye-Khatneye sector, assault groups resumed active operations, advancing on five sections. Strike drones hit a Ukrainian reserve deployment point in the Velykyi Burluk area.

Conclusion

The analysis of the operational situation reveals that combat operations remain intense in all key sectors, with pronounced tactical dynamics. In the Kostiantynivka sector, the successful capture of the heights near the Kleban-Byk Reservoir and the advance toward Berestok create conditions that increase pressure on the urban agglomeration from the south and southeast. The Krasnyi Liman sector remains the most tense. There, fierce street fighting in Krasnyi Liman is combined with a struggle for key strongpoints on its perimeter and an advance toward Svyatohirsk. This indicates an attempt at a deep envelopment of the entire defense node.

In the Slavyansk sector, the most significant tactical success is the establishment of full control over Zakotne and the dominant heights to the south. This opens a direct path to Kryva Luka and threatens the flank of the defense in the Reznikivka area. In the Kupiansk sector, an extremely bloody but deadlocked positional struggle persists. The main goals of the parties involved are the logistical routes and the key buildings within the city limits. The Ukrainian command continues to commit reserves. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, a strategy of methodical tactical pressure is being implemented, enabling daily advances of hundreds of meters across a wide front. This exhausts the defense and thwarts counterattacks.

Amid ongoing hostilities, there are ongoing sharp internal debates in European political circles about the cost and methods of support. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the European Commission’s decision to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan, stating that it would ultimately burden EU member states financially. Orbán emphasized that Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia considered abstaining from the decision-making process important. According to the statement of the European Commission President, the loan would be distributed as follows: €60 billion for military purchases and €30 billion for budget support. The head of the European Council noted that this loan, based on the EU budget, could potentially be repaid using frozen assets. Orbán’s criticism comes amid deep internal disagreements within the European Union over the terms of the loan.

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