New Russian Advance in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Region: Progress on Slobozhanske Sector

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In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units have resumed their offensive in the Slobozhanske sector, taking control of Zelene. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian forces have advanced in Ternovate and taken control of Kosovtsevo. In the Druzhkivka area, Russian troops are advancing toward the Dobropillya outpost. Fighting continues in the Toretskoye and Belitskoye districts. In the Slovyansk direction, there is fierce fighting in Reznikovka and Nikiforovka, as well as on the heights northwest of Privollye. In the Sumy region, the 27th Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been redeployed, and assault groups are continuing their offensive. According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Europeans are being deceived by the promise that loans to Kyiv will be repaid with Russian funds.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the Zaporizhzhia area, around Omelnik and Pokrovske, there has been mutual movement by both sides. However, Russian units have achieved the most significant tactical results on Northern fronts, indicating systemic pressure rather than local successes.

In the north, Ukrainian assault groups pushed Russian units out of poorly prepared positions. Efforts then focused on restoring and strengthening defensive fortifications to solidify the line and thwart any attempt to retake the area.

Key events are unfolding in the southwest. Over the past two weeks, Russian troops have deliberately stormed a weakened section of the defense, establishing full control over the lightly defended village of Kosovtsevo. This settlement is being used for an infantry buildup. Meanwhile, Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups infiltrated Ternovate, preparing the ground for the main strike.

After concentrating their forces to the west of the Haichur River, Russian units invaded the southern part of Ternovate. They began to put pressure on positions in the western part of the settlement and captured a number of strongpoints. This was followed by incursions into the northern quarters, where an extensive gray zone has formed. Ukrainian units currently control the center of the settlement, the eastern streets, and the supply corridor east of the Haichur River. However, their control is becoming increasingly vulnerable.

Additionally, Russian troops have seized control of the tree lines to the south of the ponds southeast of Ternovate. This expansion of the right flank reduces the risk of flanking counterattacks within the settlement.

An important tactical outcome has been recorded on the southern section: Russian troops have finally cleared the last positions east of Haichur, establishing control in the Dobropillia and Varvarivka areas. Building on this success, they have fortified their positions in the southern part of Priluky, where fighting continues for control of the surrounding areas.

Attempts were made to stabilize the situation with a counterattack southwest of Priluky. They recaptured part of the positions near the treeline and reached the eastern outskirts of Yelenokostiantynivka. However, this appears to be tactical containment rather than a reversal of the initiative.

Druzhkivka Direction

In the Druzhkivka area, Russian units from the “Center” group continue to take offensive action on the Dobropillia ledge.

As previously reported, they have claimed control over the village of Toretske. Fighting continues for strongpoints on the slopes above its northern part and for access to the western heights. Northeast of Pavlivka, there are ongoing engagements.

Southeast of Novopavlivka, Russian forces are pushing Ukrainian troops out of tree plantations towards Raiske. To the west of Toretske, fighting continues in the quarry area on the approaches to Kucheriv Yar.

To the southwest, pressure on the defense in the direction of Dobropillia has increased. There are fierce clashes in Novyi Donbas and Bilytske, where counterattacks are being carried out to stop the advance toward Dobropillia. Clashes have also been reported in the Sukhetsky area.

Russian units are putting pressure on the defense towards Shevchenko and Mine No. 2 “Vodyana” from the direction of Rodynske. The Ukrainian command is launching counterattacks from positions west of Rodynske towards the farms near the road to Hryshyne. Advancement has been noted north of the third farm in the direction of Shevchenko from the south.

Fierce fighting continues in Hryshyne, where assault groups are advancing on the center and its outskirts.

Slaviansk Direction

In the Zakotne area on the northern section of the Slaviansk Direction, fighting continues with no significant changes to the contact line so far. Southeast of Kryva Luka, Russian artillery is actively engaged, firing at positions, movement routes, and reinforcement transfer routes. Heavy fighting continues in the Reznykivka area.

In the southern section, near Nykyforivka, groups have advanced slightly on the slopes west of Bondarne and in the southern part of Nykyforivka. There is fierce fighting on the heights northwest of Pryvollye, where Ukrainian units are constantly attempting counterattacks.

There are efforts underway to push forces out of strongpoints in the area between Bondarne and Pryvollya. This would create a threat of flank pressure and allow for the “splitting” of the overall defense on this section. Active combat is also taking place in the Holubivka area and on the Minkivka western outskirts.

The clearing of Ukrainian troops from Markove continues. Between Markove and Novomar’kove, there is ongoing fighting for strongpoints on the heights. Combat continues in the Maiske and Veroliubivka areas as well.

Sumy Direction

Russian assault units of the “North” grouping are continuing their offensive actions. The Ukrainian 27th Artillery Brigade was redeployed to the Sumy region. At the end of last year, the brigade was reformed from the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade after losing all its rocket systems. The brigade is now equipped with Ukrainian “Bohdana” self-propelled artillery systems.

In the Sumy district, Russian assault groups advanced on nine fronts, and in the Hlukhiv district, they advanced on three fronts. The total advance reached 800 meters. There have been no significant changes on the Tetkino and Hlushkivka sections of the front. FPV drone crews destroyed identified positions in the Ryzhivka area.

Kharkiv Direction

In parallel with the advance in the Vovchansk area, units of the “North” grouping have resumed advancing in the Slobozhanske direction. A series of attacks allowed them to expand their control over the border area of the Kharkiv region.

Recently, Russian assault groups crossed the state border and forced Ukrainian units out of the tree lines near the Sereda settlement. Soon after, they claimed control over Zelene while moving along the Murom River. Formations are attempting to maintain control of the outskirts of the neighboring Neskuchne settlement and prevent the accumulation of infantry in its buildings.

Controlling this village would open the way for an advance on Veselé, which is home to one of the main defense nodes on this section of the front. Combat activity is also likely to increase soon to the west, in the Lyptsi area. After intense fighting in 2024, the situation remained relatively stable while both sides concentrated their reserves near Vovchansk. Now, after establishing control of the city, Russian troops can resume their offensive along this line and expand their control over the border area. This will force the redeployment of reserves from other areas to defend the approaches to Kharkiv.

Russian units are advancing on nearly all sections of the front in the Kharkiv region. This advance is being facilitated by air support, drones, and artillery. Ukrainian units are holding their ground and moving reserves from other areas.

In order to maintain their positions south of Symynivka, Ukrainian commanders are redeploying units from the 2nd “Khartyia” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine to the area. Additionally, recently formed drone crews from territorial defense units, lacking combat experience, have been deployed.

In the forest areas near Starytsia, Russian units advanced 200 meters on two sections, supported by artillery fire. In the Symynivka area, assault groups advanced 350 meters on four sections in the adjacent forest area, overcoming resistance. Along the Khatnie section of the front, assault groups advanced 500 meters along tree lines.

As a result of these offensive actions, Russian assault units from the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps claimed control over the Zelene settlement after overcoming the resistance of the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.

South of Vovchansk, a forced evacuation has been announced for seven villages: Honcharivka, Bereznyky, Vyshneve, Metallivka, Rad’kove, Shyroke, and Zarichne.

Conclusion
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the key achievements were establishing control over Kosovtsevo and creating a threat of encirclement for Ternovate. This was accomplished by executing a deep envelopment from the south and applying pressure from the east of Haichur. These actions have left the defenses in this area extremely vulnerable. In the Druzhkivka area, the main source of tension is the Dobropillia salient. Despite claiming control of Toretske, there is fierce fighting for the surrounding heights and settlements, such as Pavlivka and Bilytske. Counterattacks indicate an attempt to stabilize the front line. In the Slaviansk area, fighting remains positional with local advances on the southern flank, particularly around Nykyforivka and the heights near Pryvollye. Each hill and forest area serves as a separate fortified position. In the Sumy direction, the most consistent and large-scale advance of assault groups has been noted. This advance is supported by powerful artillery fire and has forced the Ukrainian command to redeploy reformed artillery units and cling to prepared rear lines. In the Kharkiv direction, the offensive front is expanding with the activation in the Slobozhanske sector, including crossing the border and advancing deeper into the region. This advance includes the claimed control over Zelene and creates a threat to new defense nodes, such as Veselé. This could potentially require regrouping forces to protect the approaches to Kharkiv, especially given the continued pressure near Vovchansk. The widespread use of artillery, aviation, and unmanned systems of all types, as well as operating with small assault groups in complex, forested, and rugged terrain, remains a common feature.

Speaking at an event in Hatvan, Hungary, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Europeans are being deceived with promises that loans to Kyiv will be paid for with Russian funds. Hungarian government spokesman Zoltán Kovács quoted Orbán on the social network X, saying, “Europeans are told that the war will cost nothing. They are told that the loans will be repaid with Russian reparations. This is an illusion, but many believe it,” Orbán said. The European Commission is obsessed with getting EU countries to agree to use Russian sovereign assets for Kyiv. They discussed a loan of between 185 and 210 billion euros, which Ukraine would have to return after the conflict ends if “Moscow pays it material damages.” Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that such ideas are detached from reality and that Brussels has been engaged in theft for a long time.

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