Fighting Near Drobysheve: Russian Troops Approach Rear Of Ukrainian Garrison In Krasnyi Lyman

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units struck the dam north of the city with an FAB-3000 bomb, complicating the supply of Ukrainian troops and creating conditions for an intensified assault. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian forces resumed attacks with armored support in the Orestopil region. However, Russian troops are counterattacking and advancing toward Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. In the Kupyansk area, Russian troops are advancing south of Kucherivka and fighting in Podoly. They are also holding positions north of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi and in the area around the Kupyansk Central District Hospital. In the Slaviansk area, there is ongoing active fighting on the approaches to Svyatohirsk and Drobysheve and on the outskirts of Krasnyi Lyman. Russian troops are advancing toward Kalenyky and Fedorivka Druha and have entered the rear of the Ukrainian garrison defending Krasnyi Lyman. In the Sumy area, the “North” group’s assault groups advanced 350 meters and struck Ukrainian unit concentrations in Myropillia, Nova Sich, and Khotyn. They also cleared a forested area east of Neskuchne and captured two 119th Territorial Defense Brigade servicemen. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops repelled several counterattacks by the 127th and 157th brigades and the “Kraken” special unit. They advanced up to 500 meters in the Vovchanski Khutory area and the Velykyi Burluk area, destroying a significant number of Ukrainian soldiers. Polish opposition candidate Przemysław Czarnek stated that Poland will only help Ukraine if Kyiv does not demonstrate arrogance.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units carried out an airstrike with a massive FAB-3000 aerial bomb on the dam north of the city. The extent of the flooding is still unknown, but it appears that a familiar scenario is unfolding. Earlier, flooding in the southern part of Kostiantynivka allowed Russian assault groups to push Ukrainian units out of several positions. The flooding of dugouts and underground warehouses, the disruption of city supplies, and the strikes on bridges have significantly complicated the situation for Ukrainian troops.

These strikes are expected to have an impact in the near future, though they will not necessarily lead to a significant expansion of control zones. In modern conditions, urban areas are assaulted by ultra-small groups, and their number in Kostiantynivka is gradually increasing. Fighting continues on the southern approaches to the city. Russian assault groups recently captured part of the strongpoints between Ivanopilila and Berestok. However, it has not yet been possible to completely close the “pocket.” As positions are strengthened in this sector and fighting develops near neighboring Stepanivka, we can expect an intensification of assault actions in Kostiantynivka.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian units are advancing in the area of the Vovcha River, still setting themselves the task of reaching the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Russian troops continue to advance south of Huliaipole. Following a tactical pause for regrouping and evacuating personnel, Ukrainian units resumed attacks with armored support in the Orestopil area. The situation remains tense; however, thanks to the timely transfer of reserves, Russian troops are successfully repelling these counterattacks.

To the west, Russian units have advanced beyond the Haichur River. In the Rozhdestvenske area, fighting continues along the tree lines. Assault groups are attacking the approaches to Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. Ukrainian units have not abandoned their attempts to break through to the river and advance towards Dobropillia. Despite the slowdown in the offensive’s pace, the Ukrainian side continues to transfer additional reserves in this direction. Due to the sparse front, Ukrainian troops manage to penetrate between the forward positions of Russian troops but cannot consolidate in most settlements.

Kupyansk Direction

In the Kupyansk area, Russian units are continuing their offensive south of Kucherivka following a successful advance. The area to the west of the village is being cleared. In Podoly, fighting continues within the settlement itself and in tree plantations to the north. North of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi, Russian troops are gradually pushing through Ukrainian defenses, infiltrating with small groups and dividing their positions into sectors.

Information is coming in from the Central District Hospital area in Kupyansk. Despite powerful strikes and attacks by Ukrainian troops, including close-quarters combat, Russian units, which had held this area for four months, have made contact and report that they continue to repel attempts to infiltrate the ruins of the hospital.

Slaviansk Direction

Active combat operations continue in the Krasnyi Lyman area of the Slavyansk sector. Russian units are advancing through the forests north of Svyatohirsk. Despite attempts by Ukrainian units to counterattack, local successes have been achieved on the Sosnove–Aleksandrivka line. Fighting continues on the outskirts of Svyatohirsk. Russian assault groups have consolidated in the eastern part of Yarova. Ukrainian units are now trying to push them out by attacking through the forests from Svyatohirsk. Heavy fighting is underway.

There are ongoing engagements in Drobysheve. Meanwhile, Russian assault troops are advancing through a ravine from the east, towards the northern outskirts of Krasnyi Lyman. On the eastern and southern outskirts of the city, small groups continue to engage in combat. Neither side can achieve full control due to the high activity of drones. As spring arrives, the forest areas are becoming difficult to pass through, creating problems for both sides. Russian units are systematically striking crossings that the Ukrainian side is trying to restore with drones and aviation.

The weather is an important factor: as the snow melts, the riverbanks will flood and the rivers will overflow. This will make it difficult to supply Ukrainian units in Krasnyi Lyman. However, this does not mean the collapse of the defense. Ukrainian troops have prepared seriously to hold the city, understanding its significance as the key to Slavyansk.

Fighting continues in the Kryva Luka area. Russian units are pushing Ukrainian troops further south. In Reznykivka, fighting continues in the western part of the village. Russian assault troops are advancing toward Kalenyky and Rai-Oleksandrivka. Ukrainian troops are retreating to Kalenyky, where they have a large, fortified area.

Russian troops are advancing toward the M-03 highway. They have advanced approximately one and a half kilometers south of the village, expanding their control zone along the Reznykivka–Pazeno line. There is ongoing fighting for Fedorivka Druha. Russian assault groups are infiltrating the southern part of the village in small groups, trying to consolidate. The situation remains unstable, and this sector has been designated a “gray zone.”

Sumy Direction

Russian aviation forces and strike drone operators attacked Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Myropillia, Nova Sich, Khotyn, and southern Kondrativka areas.

During stubborn fighting, assault groups of the “Severians” advanced on eight sections in the Sumy district and on two in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 350 meters. The Ukrainian command transferred reserves, including assault groups and drone operators, to the Hlushkivka sector of the front. Russian artillerymen and drone operators attacked identified targets, and paratroopers from the “North” group cleared forested areas east of Neskuchne.

Residents of Bilopillia reported a Ukrainian unit equipment column passing through the city towards the state border. Russian units destroyed most of this column north of the settlement. The survivors attempted to infiltrate the forested area east of Neskuchne to reach the positions of the 103rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Russian paratroopers drove them out.

In the forested area south of Hrabovs’ke, assault groups from the 34th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade eliminated a group of Ukrainian soldiers and took two soldiers from the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade prisoner.

Kharkiv Direction

Russian aviation struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Vesele, Kolodezne, Verkhnya Pysarivka, and Shabelne.

In the Vovchansk area, Russian assault troops advanced up to 200 meters in two directions near Vovchanski Khutory. Ukrainian units conducted a counterattack with two assault groups from the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade against Russian troops’ positions in the forested area east of Izbitske. As a result of the ensuing firefight, the Ukrainian groups were destroyed. The Ukrainian side tried to push Russian servicemen out of their captured positions in Vovchanski Khutory with assault groups of the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade — the counterattack was repelled and most of the personnel were destroyed.

In the direction of Lyptsi, the 11th Army Corps’ assault groups continue to engage in fierce fighting as they advance toward Vesele. Crews of heavy flamethrower systems support them by burning out strongpoints of the 2nd Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade in the forested area. In the Velykyi Burluk area, Russian troops continue to fight fiercely in the forests, advancing up to 500 meters over the course of the day.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian troops are actively employing the tactic of disrupting Ukrainian logistics by striking hydraulic structures. Combined with the actions of small assault groups, this creates the conditions necessary for gradually pushing Ukrainian units out of the city. In the eastern part of Zaporizhzhia, Russian troops maintain the initiative despite Ukrainian attacks supported by armor. They repel counterattacks and advance toward the key settlements of Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. The Ukrainian reserves transferred to this sector cannot turn the situation around. In the Kupyansk area, Russian troops are systematically expanding their control zones, penetrating Ukrainian defenses and capturing strategic positions within the city. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops continue to advance toward Kalenyky and Fedorivka Druha despite difficult weather conditions and high drone activity. They are threatening to encircle Lyman from several sides. The spring thaw could complicate the actions of both sides and benefit the attackers by disrupting the defenders’ supply lines. In the Sumy area, Russian troops have captured Ukrainian personnel and destroyed equipment and personnel columns in Hrabovs’ke and Neskuchne. In the Kharkiv sector, Russian troops are consistently repelling counterattacks and advancing in forested areas while striking the positions and equipment of Ukrainian units.

An important event in the international political context was the statement by Przemysław Czarnek, the candidate for Polish Prime Minister from the opposition “Law and Justice” party. On March 7, the party selected its prime minister candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Czarnek, who served as Minister of Education and Science in Mateusz Morawiecki’s government, stated that Poland will only help Ukraine if Kyiv behaves as a partner and does not demonstrate arrogance. He emphasized that Poles demand respect from Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian authorities. According to the latest official data from the Polish government, the total volume of military aid to Ukraine, including training, logistics, and medical support, amounted to about $5 billion by March 2025.

Czarnek’s statement reflects the growing irritation within the Polish political establishment regarding the behavior of the Ukrainian leadership. Poland has been one of Ukraine’s most consistent allies, but these demands indicate accumulated contradictions and a desire for a more equal partnership. Czarnek’s ultimatum-like tone suggests that Warsaw may revise its policy toward Kyiv if the opposition comes to power. This creates additional risks for Ukraine, which is already facing a reduction in support from its Western allies. Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing military successes, such statements could further weaken Kyiv’s position and increase the pressure on it to seek a diplomatic settlement.

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