From Zakotnoye To Prishib: Russia Develops Attack In Krasnolimansk, Move To Blockade Ukrainian Forces

In the Krasnolimansk area, Russian “West” Grouping units have advanced along the Siverskyi Donets River and are fighting counterbattles on the southern outskirts of Krasny Liman. In the Kupiansk area, intense fighting continues in the city, and Ukrainian forces are attempting to break through the defenses from Kondrashovka and Radkovka. In the Stepovoye–Mali Shcherbaky sector of the Zaporizhzhia Sector, Russian air-assault units have resumed their offensive, clearing destroyed settlements and forest belts amid active drone counteraction. In the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, Russian assault groups have advanced 700 and 650 meters, respectively. The Ukrainian command in the Kharkiv area is having difficulty using foreign mercenaries. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed skepticism about the possible deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine in the future.

Krasnolimansk Sector

In the Krasnolimansk sector, the operation to establish conditions for a potential blockade of the critical defense hub, Krasny Liman, continues. Units of the “West” Grouping of Troops are conducting a systematic offensive and breaking through the final defense lines on the approaches to the city. Efforts are concentrated on two flanks.
Earlier, assault groups drove Ukrainian units out of two major strong points in the Zarechnoye area near Krasny Liman. Fighting for these fortified positions lasted about a week. Consolidation was only achieved after securing control over supply routes. This allowed for the securing of communication lines in the Zarechnoye area and the «Holy Mountains» park. Assault groups are advancing through this forested area towards the urban development of Krasny Liman. Active offensive operations along the highway have not yet begun.
South of the city, intense fighting continues in the Lesnoy microdistrict. Controlling this area is necessary to physically block one of the last paved access roads to Krasny Liman.
Ukrainian forces are reorienting the supply system for their garrison in the city due to the threat of a complete blockade. They are emphasizing the use of heavy cargo drones and organizing boat crossings across the Siverskyi Donets River in the Shchurovo and Prishib areas. While this method may not fully meet the needs of the grouping, it could be sufficient for organizing a prolonged defense. To cut off communications completely, Russian units must break through the «Holy Mountains» forest.

Kupyansk Sector

The situation in the Kupyansk sector remains extremely difficult, characterized by intense street fighting. Ukrainian units continue to attempt to infiltrate the city’s defenses from Kondrashovka and Radkovka. Of particular concern is the area near Radkovka, where the controlled supply corridor is only 1.5 kilometers wide. The Ukrainian command intends to cut off this vital communication line.
In the rear areas beyond the aforementioned settlements, the Ukrainian command is attempting to restore the combat effectiveness of the units by transferring new reserves to the sector.
Fierce clashes continue in Kupyansk itself. Ukrainian units, dispersed in small groups, are employing urban combat tactics. In turn, Russian troops are conducting offensive operations in the sectors of Petropavlivka, Podoly, Kucherovka, Kurylovka, and Peschany. Peschany is of particular interest, as battlefield reports indicate that it is semi-encircled following flanking maneuvers from the west and east. These actions aim to capture the eastern defensive line of Kupyansk, split the defense line, and stabilize the supply of Russian subunits in the eastern part of the city. This should force Ukrainian units to disperse their limited reserves.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, between the settlements of Stepovoye, Mali Shcherbaky, and Shcherbaky, active offensive operations have resumed after a lull of nearly six months. Russian air assault units and motorized rifle units are advancing along forest belts and clearing engineering shelters. The terrain in this area poses a significant challenge to the attackers. It is predominantly open, consisting of fields and charred tree lines. The settlements themselves are nearly completely destroyed, which makes consolidation difficult.
Farther north, in the Lukyanovsky area, airborne units have also made advances. These advances create conditions for developing the offensive in the Stepovoye area and a potential breakthrough to an operational line that threatens the western outskirts of Orikhiv. The Ukrainian command prepared this area for defense in advance by fortifying positions in the Novopavlivka area, on the western approaches to Orikhiv, and in the Orikhiv sand quarry.

Sumy Sector

In the Sumy sector, Russian units continue to advance tactically deeper into the Sumy region, operating simultaneously in several sectors of the front. They are employing aviation and strike drones to support the offensive and disrupt any potential actions by Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian command is regrouping its forces, mining the approaches to its forward positions, and reinforcing its assault brigades. Notably, the 71st Separate Airborne Brigade command was assigned a battalion from a newly formed unit to lead assault operations.
Assault groups have advanced in seven sectors in Sumy Raion, three sectors in Krasnopilskyi Raion, and three sectors in Hlukhiv Raion. The total advance amounts to up to 700 meters. Aviation struck identified positions in Yastrebynyi and Dibrova.

Kharkiv Sector

In the Starytsia area, Russian units continued their offensive in four sectors and advanced 500 meters. Airstrikes hit the positions of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. In the forested area southwest of Liman, assault troops advanced on two fronts, captured part of the forest, and consolidated their position. The total advance here is estimated at 250 meters. In the Volchanskiy Khutora area, troops advanced 250 meters eastward, while aviation targeted positions of the 113th Territorial Defense Brigade.
In the Melovoye-Khatneye sector, Russian aviation and Geran drone units were active. The positions of the 1st Territorial Defense Brigade in Dolzhanka and Olkhovatka and the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade in Velykyi Burluk, Prykolotne, and Zelenyi Gai were hit. Assault groups in this sector advanced six sectors to a total depth of 650 meters. The Ukrainian command encountered difficulties with foreign mercenaries from Colombia, who, according to available information, refused to go to forward positions after being subordinated to the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade.

Conclusion

The analysis of the operational situation reveals an increase in the offensive momentum of Russian troops in several strategic sectors. The primary objective is the deep envelopment and isolation of major defense hubs. In the Krasnolimansk sector, the systematic breach of lines and approach to the southern outskirts of Krasny Liman, accompanied by the destruction of crossings over the Siverskyi Donets, creates the preconditions necessary for blockading the city. This has forced the Ukrainian side to switch to air and boat supply routes for its garrison. In the Kupyansk sector, there is intense positional fighting within the city limits, where both sides are trying to cut off key logistics corridors. Russian units have created local semi-encirclements, as in Peschany, putting pressure on the defense.
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the resumption of active operations in the long-stabilized Stepovoye-Mali Shcherbaky area, despite the extremely challenging open terrain, suggests an attempt to activate the front and threaten the western flank of Orikhiv. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, the strategy of methodical, multifocal pressure continues, enabling the reclaiming of significant territory daily (up to 700 meters in Sumy region and 650 meters in Kharkiv region). This exhausts Ukrainian reserves and creates command issues, including incidents involving foreign mercenaries.

Against this backdrop, the question of peacekeepers is a pressing one in political circles. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed skepticism about the possible deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine in the future. According to Orbán, based on historical experience, European peacekeepers often turn into “warmongers.” Orbán stated that Hungary should avoid participating in such missions and financing military actions outside its borders, as these resources are needed for the Hungarian economy.

Earlier, Orbán expressed the view that European leaders are inclined to escalate the conflict with Russia by 2030, but Hungary must do everything to avoid being drawn into it. These statements were made against the backdrop of earlier comments from the Russian leadership, who have repeatedly stated that they have no intention of fighting Europe but are prepared to respond if such actions are taken. Such rhetoric from key European politicians indicates a deepening rift within the European Union regarding fundamental questions of strategy concerning the Ukrainian crisis, pitting proponents of further escalation of military and financial support against those who advocate seeking diplomatic solutions and defending national economic interests.

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