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In the Dobropolye direction west of Pokrovsk, units of the “Center” grouping have taken control of Vasilevka, creating a new salient that threatens three Ukrainian defense hubs with encirclement. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces broke through the first defensive line and reached Bely Kolodez. In the Sumy direction, assault groups advanced in nine sectors. In the Zaporozhye area, Ukrainian infiltration attempts are being suppressed by drone strikes. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that US intelligence data is helping Kyiv plan drone strikes on Russian facilities.
Zaporozhye direction
On the Stepnogorskoye–Primorskoye line, Ukrainian small-group infiltration attempts have failed. Russian strikes are targeting fuel depots, equipment concentrations, drone infrastructure, logistics routes, and modular fire groups across the frontline. Ukrainian efforts yield only systematic losses, while helicopter resupply is hampered by the complex air situation, preventing groups from holding positions or consolidating.
Sumy direction
Assault groups from the “North” military grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy direction. They carried out strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Sumy, Yastrebishchina, Kiyanitsa, Malaya Slobodka, Khmelevka, Dernovoye, and Krasnopolie. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat in Bachevsk and the surrounding area. In the Sumy district, advances were achieved in nine sectors, with an advance depth of up to 300 meters. Firefights are ongoing in Pisarevka, Marino, Novaya Sech, Khoten, and the surrounding areas. In the Krasnopolie district, clashes are ongoing in forest areas.
Russian units destroyed several drone control points as a result of comprehensive fire engagement: the 419th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion in the Krasnopolie area; the 116th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade near Dernovoye; and the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in Khmelevka.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. In the Volchansk sector, Russian assault units advanced up to 700 meters in twelve segments. They reached Bely Kolodez and Yurchenkovo, located southwest of Bely Yar, from two directions: the Volchansk side and the southern part of the Bely Yar ravine, as well as the Ukrainskoye side. The Ukrainian command is attempting a counterattack, relying on the Bely Yar ravine towards Pokalyano.
Russian units are conducting an offensive across a fairly wide front, about 23 kilometers from Volokhovka to Verkhnyaya Pisarevka. This creates additional difficulties for Ukraine and requires the deployment of more resources and troops. The first defensive line of Ukrainian forces in the Losevka–Ukrainskoye area has been breached and is under flank attack. The Ukrainian command is now trying to establish a defense on the left bank of the Polynaya River to prevent a breakthrough toward Bugaevka and Petrovskoye, as well as a flanking attack on the second line, which covers the approaches to Veliky Burluk directly.
There are ongoing firefights in Yurchenkovo village, Bely Kolodez settlement, and forest areas in the Volchansk district. The 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 69th Guards Motorized Rifle Division of the “North” grouping has pushed the last groups of Ukrainian troops from the 120th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade out of Losevka and has fully established control over the area.
Dobropolye direction
Units of the “Center” group of forces improved their tactical position and gained control of Vasilevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. In the Pokrovsk sector of the Donetsk area, they are forming a new salient along the line of contact. The apex of the salient is near the recently captured town of Rodinskoye. The northern base is in the Kutuzovka–Annovka area and the southern base is in the Novoaleksandrovka–Vasilevka area.
Vasilevka is located on the right bank of the Grishinka River on the O0525 road. In the depth of the territory, this road connects with Dobropolye via the O0518 and S050715 routes. This ring provides the Ukrainian forces with mobility between the salient’s bases.
There are three large defense hubs of Ukrainian forces in this “bag”: Annovka–Dobropolye, Chernigovka–Vodyanskoye–Belitskoye, and Shevchenko–Krasnodolye–Dobropolye. The liquidation of this salient will likely be carried out in parts. The first defense hub will be enveloped by taking Annovka and Dobropolye, as well as Novy Donbass and Dobropolye. The remaining two hubs will be enveloped by taking Novy Donbass and Chernigovka, as well as Novoaleksandrovka and Krasnodolye. A flanking screen will be created on the bridgehead in Vasilevka to contain Ukrainian units from the Shilovka–Mirnoye direction. Depending on the operational situation, further advance on Mirnoye and Shilovka is quite likely.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk directions, Russian forces are conducting systematic offensive operations, expanding their control zones and inflicting losses on Ukrainian forces. In the Zaporozhye area, Ukrainian infiltration attempts by small groups are being suppressed, and the systematic destruction of reserves and logistics is underway. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault groups are pushing out Ukrainian units and destroying key drone control points. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces have broken through the defensive line and are advancing on Bely Kolodez, threatening to encircle a significant Ukrainian force. In the Donetsk direction, the capture of Vasilevka creates a new salient that can be used to advance toward Dobropolye.
The political context continues to be defined by reports of external support for Kyiv. According to the British newspaper Financial Times, US intelligence data is helping Ukraine plan drone attacks on Russian facilities. “U.S. intelligence assistance has also played a role. Kyiv is being helped to chart the most suitable routes for its drones and bypass air defense,” the publication writes, citing senior Ukrainian officials. These same officials consider it unlikely that trilateral negotiations on Ukraine will resume before the end of summer. Thus, despite tactical successes on the battlefield, Ukraine remains highly dependent on Western intelligence and military support.
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bbc is such a joke. how can you brits tolerate such crap?