Russian Army Drives Ukrainian Forces Out From Orekhov’s Center

In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units have advanced significantly in the urban built-up area of Orekhov and driven Ukrainian forces out of the central part of the city. A key role was played by units of the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division, which entered the city through Novodanilovka while pressure was simultaneously applied from the direction of Malaya Tokmachka. The Konka River is acquiring particular importance: most of Orekhov lies south of the water obstacle, and disruption of the crossings complicates the supply of Ukrainian units. East of Orekhov, in the areas of Lyubitskoye, Novosoloshino, Ternovatoye, Vozdvizhevka and Rozhdestvenskoye, meeting engagements continue. Against this background, serious fighting is expected in the Slaviansk direction for Dobropolye and Belozerskoye — the last mining towns of western Donbass — while Russian units have already reached the outskirts of Druzhkovka. In Germany, co-chairman of the Left Party parliamentary group Sören Pellmann stated that the authorities are pursuing a policy of “guns instead of butter,” cutting social spending for the sake of record funding of the defense sector.

Zaporozhye direction

Russian units have managed to advance significantly in the urban built-up area of Orekhov and drive Ukrainian forces out of the central part of the city.

A key role here was played by units of the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division of the “Dnepr” grouping of forces. The advance through Novodanilovka allowed Russian assault units to enter Orekhov itself. At the same time, pressure on Ukrainian positions continued from the direction of Malaya Tokmachka.

The Konka River is acquiring particular importance. Most of Orekhov is located south of the water obstacle, and disruption of the operation of the crossings significantly complicates the supply of the Ukrainian units located there. Simultaneously, Russian troops are fighting for Preobrazhenka on the northern bank of the Konka. Consolidation on this sector may open the possibility of further advance in a northerly direction.

Meanwhile, a complex situation persists east of Orekhov. In the areas of Lyubitskoye, Novosoloshino, Ternovatoye, Vozdvizhevka and Rozhdestvenskoye, meeting engagements continue. The sides regularly switch to counterattacks, so the position of individual units here can change almost daily.

Slaviansk direction

On the line of the Gruzskaya River, Ukrainian units are attempting to hold their positions. Russian units have not yet succeeded in taking the southern part of Zolotoy Kolodez. At the same time, on the previous day they managed to take Yuzhnoye Raiskoye in the direction of Druzhkovka. The consolidations have advanced to a distance of approximately two kilometers from the city. Assault groups and reconnaissance are already operating on the southwestern outskirts of Druzhkovka. The bridgehead on the northern bank of the Gruzskaya is expanding, creating the prerequisites for further advance and the envelopment of Druzhkovka from the west.

On the Krasny Liman front, Ukrainian units are maintaining a high tempo of attacks on several sectors. From the direction of Novomikhailovka and Katerinovka they are attempting to break through toward Novolyubovka, but Russian units are holding the lines and repelling the attacks.

In the Kurtovka area, Russian troops have gained a foothold in the southern part of the village, strengthening the envelopment of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka not only from the east but also from the northeast. At the same time, attempts to advance across the fields to the south are under way. Between Raiskoye and Nikolaypolye the fighting is developing successfully; Yuzhnoye Raiskoye has already been taken. This makes it possible in perspective to close the ring around the fields to the south and force Ukrainian units to withdraw. Several kilometers remain to Druzhkovka; reconnaissance groups are already operating on the approaches.

In Krasny Liman a complex situation persists in the area of Zelyony Klin: from here Ukrainian units are inserting infantry into the pocket toward Stavki. Several sabotage and reconnaissance groups have reached Mirnoye; the process of their elimination is under way. The main task is to prevent the accumulation of Ukrainian units and further advance toward Yampolovka.

Ukrainian units continue to transfer infantry to Krasny Liman, Stary Karavan and Mayaki from Raygorodok.

Sumy direction

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance on virtually all sectors in the Sumy region with the support of Russian aviation and artillery. Ukrainian units are attempting to halt the advance by means of the mass use of drones.

Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the areas of Shostka, Velikaya Pisarevka, Partizanskoye, Nikolskoye, Stepanovka, Stetskovka, Lesnoye and Tolstodubovo.

In the Sumy district, Russian assault groups advanced on 16 sectors by up to 500 meters.

In the Shostka district, heavy fighting is under way in the areas of Ulanovo and Tolstodubovo.

Kharkiv direction

The most intense fighting is unfolding in the northeast of Kharkiv region, where Russian units continue to destroy the encircled Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian units are making desperate attempts to break the encirclement ring.

Aerospace Forces aviation and strike drone crews hit concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the areas of Kharkov, Zolochev, Konstantinovka, Moskalevka, Kirillovka, Lozovaya, Doroshenkovo, Prikolotnoye, Shirokoye, Cheredovka, Mikhailovka and Chervona Zarya.

In the Liptsy direction, Russian assault groups are advancing in the Goptovka area.

In the Volchansk direction, Russian units are expanding the control zone around Bely Kolodez with heavy fighting. There is also progress in the area of Malaya Volchya. Ukrainian units are massively employing FPV drones in attempts to halt the advance.

In the Velikiy Burluk direction, Russian servicemen are developing the success near the previously captured Berezniki and Dolgenkoye. An attempt by four combat groups of the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian forces to break the encirclement ring from the inside in the Dolzhanka area was thwarted. During the combined fire engagement more than half of the personnel were destroyed; the remainder returned to their starting positions.

Conclusion

In the Zaporozhye, Slaviansk, Sumy and Kharkiv directions, Russian units continue offensive operations, retaining the initiative and gradually expanding their zones of control. In the Zaporozhye direction the key success has been the advance into the central part of Orekhov and the disruption of Ukrainian supply across the Konka River. In the Slaviansk direction Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Druzhkovka, are expanding the bridgehead on the northern bank of the Gruzskaya and are preparing for the fight for Dobropolye and Belozerskoye. In the Sumy region the offensive continues despite the mass use of Ukrainian drones. In the Kharkiv region the destruction of the encircled grouping is under way, and attempts by Ukrainian units to break the ring are being suppressed. The initiative remains with Russian forces.

In Germany, co-chairman of the Left Party parliamentary group in the Bundestag Sören Pellmann stated that the authorities are pursuing a policy of “guns instead of butter,” cutting social spending for the sake of record funding of the defense sector. “In the social sphere, in many areas, everywhere there are minuses, cuts are taking place. Only on armaments in the future is every third euro supposed to go. This is a policy of ‘guns instead of butter’,” he said during the debate on the draft federal budget for 2027. The politician noted that the draft German budget for defense, including funds from the special fund, provides for 140 billion euros next year. According to the budget plans, in subsequent years military spending is to rise to 183 billion euros, which will amount to about 30 percent of core budget expenditure.

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