File image.
In the direction of Kharkiv, the 47th Tank Division’s assault groups reached the southern outskirts of Kazachya Lopan. Meanwhile, units of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division and the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment are conducting an offensive on Bely Kolodez from three directions and blocking supply routes. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault forces advanced up to 800 meters in 21 sectors, fighting in Ryzhevka, Pisarevka, Mogritsa, and Novaya Sech. In the Druzhkovka area, troops from the “Center” captured Kutuzovka and the southern outskirts of Kucherov Yar and Priyut. They are also attacking Torskoye and putting pressure on Druzhkovka from the southwest and southeast simultaneously. In the Dnepropetrovsk direction, the towns of Mirnoye, Poddubnoye, Novopavlovka, and Ivanovka have transitioned into the gray zone. In other news, the Pentagon acknowledged the failure of the program to sharply increase the production of 155mm shells. The Mesquite plant did not produce a single usable metal part, and production reached only 36,000 shells per month instead of the planned 100,000.
Kharkiv direction
In the direction of Kharkiv, units of the “North” grouping of forces have completed the establishment of control over the Kazachya Lopan area. The 47th Tank Division’s assault groups have reached the southern outskirts of the settlement. The Ukrainian command will likely transfer reinforcements to this sector, removing units from other areas and potentially activating adjacent sectors of the front. Along the Volchansk–Bely Kolodez line, units of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division have reached the Zemlyanoy Yar and Gadyuchy Yar ravines. From Ukrainskoye, southward, servicemen of the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment are advancing along the Dolgaya ravine towards Yurchenkovo, the southwestern outskirts of Bely Kolodez.
Meanwhile, to the north, Russian units advanced deeply along the Karaichny Yar ravine towards Volokhovskoye. They reached the S 210812 route, which connects the center of the defense sector, Bely Kolodez, with the right flank in Zakharovka. Thus, “North” units are conducting an offensive on Bely Kolodez from three converging directions. They are using the terrain to block the supply routes of the Ukrainian grouping and cut the defense lines into isolated sectors. There are also firefights in the Zemlyanka–Budarki area on the northeastern edge of the Kharkiv sector and in the Shevyakovka–Artelnoye area.
In the Volchansk area, “North” assault units advanced up to 600 meters in eleven sectors. In the Velikiy Burluk area, Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights to the west of Petro Ivanovka and in the forests near Artelnoye, Budarki, and Zemlyanka.
Druzhkovka direction
Units of the “Center” group of forces are advancing toward Druzhkovka and the road to Kramatorsk, recapturing territory previously lost. Currently, Russian assault units are fighting for control of the southern outskirts of Kucherov Yar. North of Volnoye, Russian forces have advanced towards Zolotoy Kolodez and Rubezhnoye. Russian forces have gained stable control of Kutuzovka, and assault groups have advanced to the “Oblachny” stopping point. To the west, fighting continues for Annovka and Dobropolye. To the east, fighting continues in the ravines to the east and northeast of Kucherov Yar. Russian units are advancing towards Gruzskoye and Novonikolaevka.
According to operational data, Russian troops have captured Priyut in the area of the road to Druzhkovka and are attacking Torskoye. Fighting is underway towards Nikolaypol. Despite Ukrainian units’ fierce attempts to halt the advance, they continue to withdraw from the southwest towards Druzhkovka. From the southeast, troops from the “South” grouping are advancing toward Druzhkovka from Konstantinovka. Thus, Druzhkovka is under increasing pressure from two directions, which limits the Ukrainian side’s ability to organize a stable defense.
Sumy direction
In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault groups continue to advance. They carried out strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Kucherovka, Khoten, Glukhov, Esman, Mogritsa, Druzhba, Chuykovka, Svessa, Malaya Slobodka, Yampol, and Krasnopolie. In the Shostka district, fighting continues in the area around Ulanovo and near Malaya Slobodka.
In the Sumy district, assault forces advanced on twenty-one sectors, with a total advance of 800 meters. There are ongoing firefights in Ryzhevka, Pisarevka, Mogritsa, Marino, Novaya Sech village, Khoten settlement, and adjacent territories, as well as in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye. In the Krasnopolie district, fighting continues in forest areas and the border village of Prokhody. The expansion of the control zone in so many sectors simultaneously indicates systematic pressure and an intention to prevent Ukrainian units from maneuvering their reserves.
Dnepropetrovsk direction
The situation in the direction of Dnepropetrovsk remains difficult. In the Mirnoye area, Ukrainian units are attempting to infiltrate Komar in small groups. Mirnoye and Poddubnoye are in the gray zone. Slightly to the north, in Ivanovka, the situation is also difficult. The Ukrainian forces are attempting a counterattack in the Filiya area. Ivanovka has also transitioned into the gray zone. Novopavlovka, where fighting has been ongoing for many months, has also ended up in the gray zone.
Essentially, Ukrainian units are trying to push Russian forces out of the Dnepropetrovsk direction to create a buffer zone and prevent further attacks. In this sector, Russian aviation and drone crews are actively operating and striking Ukrainian forces, drone launch points, and field depots. The Ukrainian side has not managed to take control of the aforementioned localities, all of which remain in the gray zone. Consequently, they are unable to establish a robust defense and protection line.
Conclusion
In the Kharkiv, Druzhkovka, Sumy, and Dnepropetrovsk directions, Russian forces are systematically advancing, expanding their control zones and wearing down the Ukrainian forces’ personnel and equipment. In the Kharkiv direction, the offensive on Bely Kolodez from three converging directions, supported by maneuvers near the Kazachya Lopan River, threatens a key defensive position. In the Druzhkovka direction, advances from two sides simultaneously tighten the pincers around an important logistics center. In the Sumy direction, a record number of breakthrough sectors is depleting Ukrainian reserves. In the Dnipro direction, engagements in the gray zone prevent Ukrainian units from consolidating and building a defense.
Against this backdrop, news has emerged of serious issues within the U.S. military-industrial complex. According to a Pentagon report, the plan to sharply increase the production of 155mm artillery shells has failed. The new plant in Mesquite, which received $469 million in army funding, did not produce a single metal shell part that met contract requirements. Consequently, the planned production of 100,000 shells per month by March was reduced to 36,000. The document notes that these funds could have been allocated to other priorities. Meanwhile, under presidential aid packages, the U.S. has transferred more than three million of these munitions to Kyiv, and Department of Defense stockpiles have decreased by more than 3.6 million shells over the past four years. Thus, Washington’s ability to replenish its arsenal and maintain the current pace of deliveries is called into question.
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