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In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops are repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian forces and Colombian mercenaries. They are expanding the bridgehead to the northwest of Alexandrograd and advancing towards Omelnik. This threatens the Orekhov fortified area from the northeast. In the Dobropolye direction, small groups continue to engage in combat. Russian assault forces are attempting to capture the “pocket” north of Kotlino and advance along the Vasilyevka–Novoaleksandrovka line. In the Sumy direction, Russian assault groups advanced 900 meters and engaged in firefights in Ivolzhanskoye, Pisarevka, Novaya Sech, and the forests of the Krasnopolie district. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces are advancing towards Kazachya Lopan and have made progress in Okhrimovka and Losevka. They have also advanced up to 700 meters in the Volchansk sector. Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha demanded that the European Commission stop payments to Ukraine until the existence of “concentration labor camps” for political dissidents is verified.
Zaporozhye direction
Units of the “Vostok” force group repel Ukrainian unit counterattacks in the northern sector, expand the bridgehead northwest of Alexandrograd, and engage in combat for territory north of the settlement.
Ukrainian units are conducting intense counterattacks in the Alexandrograd-Komar and Iskra-Komar areas with the support of Colombian mercenaries and drones. They are attempting to reach the Mokrye Yaly River. Russian units, supported by drone crews, are repelling the attacks.
In the western sector, Russian forces are advancing towards the Orekhov-Novonikolaevka road in the Lyubitskoye area, as well as towards Omelnik. This advance covers the Orekhov fortified area of Ukrainian units from the northeast. Russian units have advanced southwest of Vozdvizhenka along the Solenaya River and west of Verkhnyaya Tersa toward Kopani. Forest belts along the railway northeast of Verkhnyaya Tersa have been cleared, and Russian units have advanced into forest belts west of the railway.
To the south, Russian units have eliminated the Ukrainian garrison in Gulyaypolskoye and are fighting in Novoselovka. The Ukrainian side has transferred reserves to the sector and reinforced positions between the second and third defense lines in the Zaporozhye region, seeking to prevent Russian forces from breaking through to Omelnik and the road to Orekhov.
The strong points of the third defense line of Ukrainian units in the Omelnik area are being fortified for all-around defense. The fall of the Omelnik defense node could entail serious problems for Ukraine. It would threaten not only the Orekhov fortified area from the north but also allow a breakthrough along the third line towards Tavricheskoye and Yurkovka. This would deprive the Orekhov garrison of its western logistics route and allow the Russians to reach another important Ukrainian defense node in the Kamyshevakha area. They could bypass the Konka River to the south without needing to cross it, where Ukraine has built a dense, layered defense.
Dobropolye direction
The Dobropolye direction continues to be the site of intense fighting. Ukrainian units often venture into a large area of the front, attempting to infiltrate the rear of Russian forces through forest belts or capturing individual buildings in settlements.
While Ukraine has an advantage in supplying forward groups with heavy drones, the situation with strike drones is only slightly better. Attacks by Ukrainian units in Rodinskoye and its surroundings are often thwarted by strikes from unmanned aerial vehicles. When detected, infiltration groups — both Russian and Ukrainian — become targets for dozens of drone strikes, up to and including the complete destruction of their shelters.
In the Grishino area, Russian units are conducting offensive operations. Small groups are attacking on the Vasilyevka–Novoaleksandrovka line. South of Grishino, Russian assault groups are attempting to capture a tactical “pocket” that was previously formed north of Kotlino. The situation remains tense along the entire front.
Sumy direction
In the Sumy direction, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance. In the Shostka district, Russian assault units are engaged in firefights in Bachevsk and the surrounding area. Artillerymen and drone operators have struck previously identified Ukrainian unit targets. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 900 meters in eleven sectors. Firefights are ongoing in Ivolzhanskoye, Pisarevka, and Novaya Sech. In the Krasnopolie district, firefights are ongoing in forest areas. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units are attempting to establish a defense line near the district center and are transferring reserves of an infantry brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force to Krasnopolie.
Kharkiv direction
In the Kharkiv direction, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to expand the security zone. Russian assault units are advancing toward the major logistics center of Ukrainian forces in the Kazachya Lopan settlement. Over the past day, Russian assault groups advanced up to 500 meters in four sectors.
In northern Kharkiv, the Liptsy front sector, which had been relatively calm for a long time, has become active again. Russian forces have resumed offensive operations and are advancing northeast of Liptsy along the Lipets River. The proximity of Liptsy to Kharkiv means that any activity there forces the Ukrainian command to redeploy troops. If this trend continues, the Liptsy area will become a hot spot for fighting over key positions.
In the Volchansk area, assault units of the “North” grouping have advanced up to 700 meters in ten sectors. Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights in Okhrimovka, Losevka, and surrounding areas, including forest regions in the Volchansk district. Radiation, chemical, and biological defense crews have struck the positions of the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian forces in the Izbitskoye area again using heavy flamethrower systems.
In the Velikiy Burluk area, Russian assault groups are fighting in the forests near Novovasilyevka.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that the intensity of hostilities remains high in all directions. In the Zaporozhye area, Russian units are repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian forces, which include Colombian mercenaries. They are expanding the bridgehead and advancing towards key logistics routes in Orekhov. This creates a threat of a breakthrough towards Tavricheskoye and Kamyshevakha. In the Dobropolye area, there are ongoing engagements between small groups, with drones being used actively. Russian units are attempting to capture tactical “pockets” near Kotlino and advance on the Vasilyevka–Novoaleksandrovka line. In the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, Russian troops are advancing systematically, expanding their control over border regions and putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
In the international political context, Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha issued a strong statement. He demanded that the European Commission immediately stop all payments to Ukraine until the existence of “labor camps” for political dissidents on Ukrainian territory is verified. Blaha sent a letter to the European Commission stating that there are “horrifying testimonies,” but he believes that Brussels supports all actions of the Kyiv leadership. This statement demonstrates the growing criticism of Ukrainian authorities among some European politicians, which may affect the future discussion of financial support for Kyiv.
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