Russian Army Cuts Key Logistics Route Near Kramatorsk In Donetsk

In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian units cut the road to Rai-Oleksandrivka from the south and advanced toward the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. In the Sumy direction, Russian forces advanced up to 450 meters, clearing forested border areas and striking Ukrainian troop concentrations. In the Kharkiv direction, units of the “North” grouping took control of Zybine and are fighting for Pokaliane, continuing their advance in the border zone. In the Druzhkivka direction, Russian troops are advancing toward Dobropillia. They have captured the Zaporizka mine and are expanding their control over Bilytske and Novyi Donbas. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Ankara is ready to organize a Ukraine summit at the leaders’ level if the parties express a willingness to engage in dialogue.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to engage in fierce combat, advancing deeper into the area. Russian troops have struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Yastrebyshchyna, Bereza, Myrloha, Sokhany, Bachivsk, Sukhodoly, Taratutyne, and Nova Sich areas.

In the Shostka district, Russian units are continuing to clear border forested areas. Assault groups advanced up to 100 meters. In the Sumy district, assault units advanced on eighteen fronts, advancing up to 450 meters over the day. Four out of six servicemen of a combat group of the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian troops were killed in a firefight with Russian units at one of the observation posts.

In the Krasnopillia district, intense fighting continues in the Novodmytrivka area. Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters on three fronts. Rocket strikes hit a strongpoint of the 122nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Mykhailivka area.

Kharkiv Direction

Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in the Kozacha Lopan, Ternova, Losevka, Rubizhne, Hryhorivka, Ud, and Zemlianky areas.

Meanwhile, Russian units to the northeast continue to build on their previous successes. Following the recent capture of Vovchanski Khutory, the assault groups advanced into the neighboring territory of Zybine. The 113th Territorial Defense Brigade’s scattered infantry groups offered little resistance, and Russian troops took control of the settlement thanks to the coordinated actions of the 69th Division of the 6th Army and the 71st Motorized Rifle Division of the 14th Army Corps.

Reports are also coming in about the start of combat operations in Pokaliane, which is located to the west. Given Russian units’ control of the fire over the Ukrainian side’s supply routes in the village, Russian troops may capture this settlement in the near future as well. After clearing Pokaliane, Russian troops will likely focus on neighboring Bochkove, which is located north of the Vovcha River and directly adjacent to the border.

Druzhkivka Direction

In the Druzhkivka direction of the Dobropillia sector, units of the “Center” grouping continue to advance amid intense fighting towards Dobropillia. Along the heights west of Vilne, Russian units advanced towards Annivka and Kutuzivka (Stepy) on the eastern approaches to Dobropillia. East of Vilne, Russian troops advanced toward the Velyka Ravine. Ukrainian troops were pushed out of the tree line on the western outskirts of Novyi Donbas.

North of Bilytske, Russian assault groups advanced along the Dorozhne–Bilytska Mine Road. In Bilytske, fighting continues in the southern and southeastern parts. West of Rodynske, Russian units took control of the Zaporizka mine and the eastern part of the Vodyanyi Yar ravine. Russian troops advanced toward Height 195.1 from the mine and from the south in the area of the Third Yar Ravine (east of Novooleksandrivka). The clearing of territory in the fields and along the tree lines between Rodynske and Novooleksandrivka continues.

North of Hryshyne, Russian assault groups are attacking the southern outskirts of Novooleksandrivka and Vasylivka. The Ukrainian side is concerned that Russian units may bypass Shevchenko from the west. In Hryshyne, Ukrainian units are attempting to advance to the northwestern outskirts near the poultry farm, which is located south of the pond. South of Hryshyne, Russian units have stopped the Ukrainian advance in the area near the highway to Pokrovsk.

Kramatorsk Direction

In the direction of Kramatorsk, units of the “South” grouping, including the Volunteer Corps, are continuing their offensive toward the city. Ukrainian units that attempted to counterattack in the Minkivka area were completely pushed out of the area and the Minkivsky Forest. Russian units advanced further west towards Tykhonivka up to the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. Strikes are being carried out on Ukrainian units that are still holding positions in fields and along tree lines between the canal and Minkivka to the south and southwest.

To the south, Russian assault groups advanced from Novomar’kove to the heights west of Novomar’kove and Markove and northwest of them. Strongpoints of Ukrainian units are located on these heights, covering a large defensive area on the eastern approaches to Kramatorsk from the south.

Russian units advanced along the M-03 highway toward the canal, heading toward Yurkivka and Malynivka. Russian troops have physically cut the road to Rai-Oleksandrivka from the south. Russian troops are forcing Ukrainian forces out of a stronghold near the Rai-Oleksandrivka road. Now, only one road remains from Mykolaivka.

Ukrainian units are counterattacking in an attempt to hold a tactical “pocket” to the south of Minkivka and in the Dibrova-Fedorivka Druha-Lypivka area. They are trying to prevent Rai-Oleksandrivka from being bypassed from the south by Fedorivka Druha, Lypivka, and Nykyforivka. To the north, in the direction of neighboring Eastern Slaviansk, Russian assault groups have broken through a ravine and captured part of the Zakhidnyi Forest. This creates a threat of advancing through the forest to the heights east of Rai-Oleksandrivka.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates that high-intensity combat operations persist in all directions. In the Sumy direction, Russian troops are advancing systematically, clearing forested areas and striking Ukrainian reserves. The Ukrainian side is suffering losses and facing desertion. In the Kharkiv direction, the capture of Zybine and the advance toward Pokaliane demonstrate steady pressure by Russian troops along the state border. This allows them to set up observation posts and monitor Ukrainian unit movements. In the Druzhkivka direction, Russian troops have captured the Zaporizka mine and are advancing toward Dobropillia. This threatens key Ukrainian defense logistical hubs. In the Kramatorsk direction, cutting the road to Rai-Oleksandrivka from the south and advancing toward the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal brings Russian troops closer to encircling this important fortified area.

In the context of international politics, an important event was a statement made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, he said that Ankara is prepared to organize a Ukraine summit at the leader level if the parties express a willingness to engage in dialogue. Turkey is prepared to contribute in any way necessary to establish peace and stability, including organizing a high-level meeting. Earlier, Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul, resulting in a prisoner exchange, the transfer of fallen soldiers’ remains, and the exchange of draft memorandums on resolving the conflict. Erdoğan’s statement indicates that a diplomatic settlement remains possible; however, its prospects depend on the parties’ willingness to compromise amid ongoing hostilities.

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