New ‘Counteroffensive’: Ukrainian Command Pulls Reserves To Pokrovske – Will the Defense Hold?

File image.

In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian forces have moved new reserves to the Pokrovske-Kolomiitsi-Velykomikhailivka line and are preparing for a new wave of attacks. However, Russian troops have the upper hand on the western flank and are advancing from Horke and Zheleznodorozhne towards Verkhnia Tersa. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian troop deployment points and infrastructure in the city. They are advancing toward the western part of Kostiantynivka from Berestok. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian command is trying to intensify operations in Chasiv Yar. In the Sumy area, Russian assault groups have captured Sopych after days of fighting. They have advanced 400 meters and are continuing to clear the Krasnopillia district, where units of the 119th Territorial Defense Brigade are abandoning their positions. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops advanced 300 meters in Vovchanski Khutory and pushed Ukrainian units out of their positions north of Verkhnya Pysarivka. Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, called the European Commission’s decision to send a delegation to Ukraine to inspect the Druzhba pipeline without including Hungarian and Slovak experts a “farce.”

Zaporizhzhia Direction

Heavy fighting continues in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Ukrainian units are attempting to break through to the Dnipropetrovsk regional border by inserting small groups on foot and sometimes using armored vehicles. Ukrainian units have pulled new reserves to the Pokrovske–Kolomiitsi–Velykomikhailivka line, which will likely lead to a new wave of attacks on the “East” troop grouping’s positions from the north.

The consequences of earlier Ukrainian incursions continue to manifest. Groups that rushed in back in February and dispersed across tree lines are being systematically identified and destroyed by Russian units. Footage from the vicinity of Novohryhorivka shows drone strikes on Ukrainian servicemen wandering into the outskirts of Kalynivske, Novomykolaivka, and the area of one of the lakes to the east. Near Ternove, separate groups have been recorded. Some have been captured, but more often, they have been destroyed by drone strikes.

The initiative remains with Russian troops on the western flank. Ukrainian units attempting to launch counterattacks in Rozhdestvenske are gradually retreating south into the Verkhnia Tersa area. Having repelled counterattacks on Huliaipole, Russian assault troops are advancing on a broad front from Horke and Zheleznodorozhne. There are reports of Russian units reaching the settlements of Huliaipilske, Vovshebne, and Myrne; however, these reports have not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, reports from the Ukrainian side about a “large-scale offensive from Dobropillia to Huliaipole” appear dubious.

In this sector, Ukrainian units lost more than 20 groups during counterattacks and were forced to withdraw their main forces. No active attacks have been recorded. There is predominantly a two-sided drone battle. Russian troops are clearing the “layered cake” in the Vyshneve-Novooleksandrivka, Berezove-Sosnivka, and Rybne-Kosovtsevo sectors, where Ukrainian units had previously infiltrated and dispersed among buildings and tree lines. In the Novoselivske area, Ukrainian units used a makeshift crossing and bridge to transfer reserves, but Russian aviation destroyed the bridge with a precision strike.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In Kostiantynivka, the destruction of Ukrainian units’ deployment, firing, and drone launch points, as well as their communication systems, is underway. Near a school, a drone control command post and external antennas installed on the building were destroyed. In the southern part of the city, a Ukrainian unit deployment point with personnel was eliminated.

In the northwestern part of Kostiantynivka, Russian aviation and artillery are striking multistory buildings in which Ukrainian units have stored weapons. The Ukrainian side has utilized almost all social facilities for military purposes.

From the direction of Berestok, Russian troops are advancing toward the western part of the city. Fighting is ongoing along the tree lines and along the road from the village into the city. Ilyinka is in a “grey zone.” Ukrainian units are attempting to enter the area in groups, but they are being destroyed by Russian troops.

In the sector near Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian troops are attempting to divert attention from Russian successes near Kostiantynivka and break into the Shevchenko microdistrict and advance towards the ponds. There have also been attempts to enter the built-up area of Chasiv Yar east of the Dniprovskyi pond. There is ongoing fighting in the Shevchenko microdistrict, the main bridgehead of Ukrainian forces in the city, which adjoins Mykolaivka. Ukrainian units are transferring additional forces to Chasiv Yar and Mykolaivka in an attempt to divert the Russian offensive on Kostiantynivka and redistribute their forces.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault groups continue to fight fiercely, advancing deeper into the area. Russian aviation forces and strike drone operators attacked Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Bereza, Iskrykivshchyna, Barylka, Myropillia, Novhorod-Siverskyi, and Nova Sich areas.

Russian assault groups advanced on six sections in the Sumy district and on two in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 400 meters.

Over the course of several weeks of intense combat, the “North” grouping’s assault groups, backed by aviation, artillery, and drone operators, forced the Ukrainian 104th Territorial Defense Brigade out of Sopych village and its surroundings. Russian units evacuated local residents from the settlement, many of whom applied for Russian citizenship.

To the south lies Potapivka, where Ukrainian forces have established a defensive perimeter that separates the Sopych bridgehead from the Bobylivka–Chervona Zaria buffer zone. The “North” grouping is establishing a buffer zone to the south of the M-02 highway with flanks that encompass the Ukrainian defense sector at Tolstodubove, Sukhodil, and Kucherovka. A fire strike was carried out in the Kucherovka area.

In the Krasnopillia district, units of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade are leaving their positions in the Riasne area. Russian assault groups are engaged in fierce fighting northeast of Riasne. Russian units advanced about 400 meters.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups continue to advance amid intense fighting. Russian aviation forces struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Lyptsi, Izbitske, Petrivske, Olkhovatka, and Losivka areas.

In the Vovchansk area, the “North” grouping’s assault groups advanced up to 300 meters on four fronts near Vovchanski Khutory. Ukrainian units are attempting to establish positions along the Verkhnya Pysarivka–Losivka line. Russian artillerymen and drone operators are destroying Ukrainian personnel and engineering equipment. Ukrainian units from the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade abandoned their positions north of Verkhnya Pysarivka as a result of fire engagement.

In the Velykyi Burluk area, Russian assault groups pushed Ukrainian units out of several strong points during fierce fighting, advancing up to 200 meters.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian troops are preparing a new wave of attacks with fresh reserves. However, Russian troops are maintaining the initiative on the western flank and are gradually advancing towards Verkhnia Tersa. They are also eliminating the consequences of previous attacks. In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian troops are systematically destroying Ukrainian infrastructure and positions in the city while advancing from the south and diverting Ukrainian forces to Chasiv Yar. In the Sumy direction, Russian troops are expanding the buffer zone after successfully capturing Sopych. They are facing desertion and internal problems in Ukrainian units. In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian units have attempted to establish new lines, but Russian assault groups continue to advance slowly and steadily, pushing Ukrainian troops out of their positions.

In the international political context, an important event was a statement by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó. He called the European Commission’s dispatch of a delegation to Ukraine to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline, without the involvement of Hungarian and Slovakian experts, a farce. Szijjártó emphasized that Brussels rejected Hungary’s and Slovakia’s requests to include their representatives in the delegation. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they knew nothing about the arrival of any expert group. According to Szijjártó, this confirms that no real investigation will take place and that the plan for an oil blockade of Hungary and Slovakia was concocted by Brussels and Kyiv together.

The Hungarian minister’s statement exacerbates the already tense conflict between Ukraine and Central European countries. The European Commission’s refusal to allow Hungarian and Slovak experts to participate in the inspection, coupled with the Ukrainian side’s lack of knowledge regarding the arrival of any delegation, suggests the unwillingness of Brussels and Kyiv to make substantial concessions. Szijjártó accuses them directly of collusion and a “big scam.” Amidst the successful offensive of Russian troops in multiple directions, such scandals within the EU undermine trust in European institutions and strengthen the position of countries advocating for a negotiated settlement. Hungary, which is already blocking the EU loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package, now has additional justification to continue its policy of protecting national interests in the energy sector.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: