File image.
In the Sumy direction, after prolonged fighting, assault groups from the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division established control over the border settlement of Bachevsk, depriving the Ukrainian side of an important strongpoint. In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian forces crossed the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal. They engaged in combat in Tikhonovka and on the approaches to Vasyutinskoye. They are gradually approaching Kramatorsk, with less than 15 kilometers remaining. In the Kharkiv direction, the “North” forces advanced up to 900 meters in the Kazachya Lopan area and the Volchansk sector. In the Kupyansk area, Russian units captured the Silicate Plant in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy and continued to push Ukrainian forces out of urban areas. Politically, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán expressed Budapest’s desire for pragmatic relations with Russia and reaffirmed Hungary’s refusal to supply Kyiv with military aid.
Sumy direction
Russian units from the “North” military grouping have taken control of Bachevsk. The settlement is located in the Sumy direction, several kilometers from the Bryansk direction border, and was a stronghold of Ukrainian forces in the border zone for a long time. The 349th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division conducted assault operations in the area. After capturing Bachevsk, the servicemen began consolidating their positions, preparing for potential counterattacks by Ukrainian forces.
The most likely scenario is an advance to the Korenyok–Ulanovo line, followed by the elimination of existing “pockets.” However, there has been no mention of a large-scale offensive in this sector yet. The fighting here is intended to disperse Ukrainian reserves along the entire border and force them to constantly maneuver forces between the Sumy and Kharkiv directions. When the Ukrainian command transfers reinforcements to one sector, neighboring sectors are inevitably exposed, a situation that units of the “North” grouping exploit by capturing individual lines faster and with fewer losses.
Slaviansk direction
Combat operations are gradually shifting west of the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal. Units are fighting in Tikhonovka and near Vasyutinskoye. The fact that the fighting has shifted beyond the canal is important not only as a local advance. The canal has long served as a natural barrier to offensive development, and advancing west of it brings the line of contact closer to the southern approaches of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration. Less than 15 kilometers remain from these areas to Kramatorsk in a straight line.
Nikolaevka remains a key strongpoint on the path to Slavyansk. Additionally, the Slavyansk TPP is located there, and the locality itself covers an important sector of the southern part of the agglomeration. Controlling Nikolaevka allows one to track the movements of Ukrainian units within the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration and keep the M03 highway leading to Izyum under fire.
The envelopment of Krasny Liman continues. Russian forces are positioned in the Tsentralny, Kommunalny, Severny, Zavodskoy, and Yuzhny microdistricts. Zelyony Klin is under Ukrainian control for now and is being attacked, including with high-explosive aviation bombs. The evacuation of civilians from the city is seriously hindered due to the high level of danger. Ukrainian units are striking the Russian forces’ logistics routes in the Novy area, as well as the Yampolovka–Makeevka road.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continued to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in several areas, including Kharkiv. Russian assault groups conducted offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan settlement and adjacent forest areas, advancing 900 meters over the past day. Five servicemen from the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian forces were captured during the offensive.
In the Volchansk sector, the “North” assault units advanced up to 900 meters on sixteen segments. There are ongoing firefights in Volokhovskoye, Yurchenkovo, Bely Kolodez, and forest areas in the Volchansk district. In the Velikiy Burluk area, Russian assault groups continued to fight west of Petro Ivanovka and in the forests near Artelnoye, Budarki, and Zemlyanki. They advanced six sectors up to 800 meters. Thus, along the entire Kharkiv front, Russian forces are increasing pressure and threatening several Ukrainian defense nodes simultaneously.
Kupyansk direction
Russian units have captured the Silicate Plant in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy and are advancing on its northern and eastern outskirts. If the current dynamics continue, Ukrainian forces may abandon the left bank of the Oskol River. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units are attempting to counterattack in the Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka areas. Their goal is to split the Russian forces’ defense into separate sectors and slow their advance.
Heavy fighting continues in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, one of the key nodes of the Ukrainian defense due to its developed railway infrastructure. Russian units are exerting pressure from several directions at once in an attempt to complicate the Ukrainian position. On the eastern bank of the Oskol River, there is intense fighting for control of Kovsharovka, Novoosinovo, and Kurilovka. Ukrainian units are conducting counterattacks in the Kurilovka area.
Conclusion
In the Sumy, Slavyansk, Kharkiv, and Kupyansk areas, Russian forces are steadily increasing pressure on Ukrainian troops, forcing them to use up their reserves and lose control of strong points in the border zone. Establishing control over Bachevsk improved the position of Russian forces at the Sumy-Bryansk directional border. Crossing the Seversky Donets–Donbas Canal and advancing toward Tikhonovka and Vasyutinskoye are gradually bringing the front line closer to the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. The intensification of strikes on rear facilities near Kramatorsk indicates a growing threat to Ukrainian defenses. In the Kharkiv direction and near Kupyansk, Russian units are systematically pushing back Ukrainian forces, capturing prisoners, and capturing key urban facilities. Russian forces hold the initiative in all the listed sectors, while the Ukrainian side is forced to patch the front with local counterattacks that do not change the overall dynamics.
In political news, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán emphasized Budapest’s desire for pragmatic relations with Russia as an important European power in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “Due to its geographical position, size, power, and history, Russia remains and will always be an important country in Europe. We strive for pragmatic relations with Moscow — relations between sovereign states,” she stated. Regarding military aid to Kyiv, the minister noted that the Hungarian electorate did not authorize sending weapons but rather providing assistance through other means, such as humanitarian supplies and sanctions. This position remains unchanged, confirming Budapest’s refusal to become militarily involved in the conflict.
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these orc invaders are running to their deaths…heheheh