Forests Burning Near Starytsia: How Russian Troops Are Pushing Ukrainian Units Out Of Their Lines In Kharkiv

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian units launched large-scale counterattacks on the western flank. They broke through into Plavni, which complicated the situation for Russian troops in Prymorske and Stepnohirsk. Meanwhile, Russian units advanced 1.5 km north in the Stepnohirsk area, seeking to cut the Zaporizhzhia-Orikhiv highway. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops advanced along the chalk heights toward Kryva Luka and took control of the road to Zakotne. They continue to clear the heights north of Reznykivka. In the Kostiantynivka area, there is ongoing fierce fighting on the northeastern outskirts of the city, near the railway station and in the residential area. To the south, Berestok has been cleared, but consolidation near the “Ukrainskyi Khutir” area has not yet been achieved. In the Sumy area, units of the “North” grouping advanced up to 700 meters in 14 sectors and repelled counterattacks by the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade and the 253rd “Arei” Regiment. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups are consolidating near Starytsia and advancing in the Symynivka forests and the Vovchanski Khutory area, striking Ukrainian unit positions. In the Slobozhanske area, the 34th Guards Mountain Brigade’s motorized rifle troops established control over Pokrivka and adjacent forested areas. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that interruptions in the supply of air defense missiles to Ukraine are due to direct shipments from U.S. production facilities because Germany has no more stocks of its own.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

The situation in the Zaporizhzhia region remains complex and dynamic. Russian troops have advanced 1.5 kilometers north of Stepnohirsk and in a northeastern direction. They are seeking to reach the Zaporizhzhia-Orikhiv logistical highway, which supplies the Ukrainian forces in the Orikhiv, Huliaipole, and Mala Tokmachka areas. However, this advance does not mean full control over the captured territory; in some areas, the positions of the two sides remain mixed.

The situation in the Prymorske area is characterized as stably tense. Ukrainian units continue to insert small groups of one to four people into the village in an attempt to consolidate control. Fighting continues in Richne, and the village itself is in a “grey zone.” Neighboring Veselianka and Hryhorivka remain under Ukrainian control. There are ongoing fierce engagements on the northeastern outskirts of Prymorske, where Ukrainian units are trying to reestablish a presence.

Over the past day, the situation has sharply deteriorated on the western flank of the Zaporizhzhia direction. Ukrainian units launched an offensive on a 20-kilometer-wide front, attempting to cut off the Russian advance toward Zaporizhzhia on the shore of the former Kakhovka Reservoir. Previous reports of Ukrainian control of Magdalenivka have not been confirmed. The Ukrainian command has amassed troops and launched attacks toward Lukianivske, which is now under their control. Fighting continues in Novoiavlenska. The situation in Prymorske has significantly worsened. The northern part of the settlement remains a zone with mixed positions. It turned out that the previously announced clearing of Richne did not lead to stable control; only small groups likely entered the area.

Ukrainian units used the E-105 highway to pass between Prymorske and Stepnohirsk, landing assault groups in Plavni. As a result, Russian units in Prymorske were cut off from their main positions. In Stepnohirsk, Ukrainian units held positions in the northern part of the city and increased their presence. The increased activity of Ukrainian aviation, striking communications, created additional complications. Crossings over the Yanchakrak and Karachakrak rivers remain bottlenecks for transferring reinforcements.

Ukrainian units’ minimum objectives could include restoring control over Prymorske, strengthening their positions in Stepnohirsk, capturing Plavni, pushing Russian units out of Pavlivka, and clearing Novoiavlenska. If they are successful, Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Shcherbaky, and Kamyanske could be threatened. The worst-case scenario, though unlikely, is a breakthrough to Vasylivka, which would create a “mirror” wedge. The threat of such a counteroffensive was noted earlier, and the current events could be the beginning of it or a large-scale reconnaissance in force.

Slaviansk Direction

In the direction of Slaviansk, units of the “South” troop grouping are advancing towards Slaviansk from Siversk and Zakotne. Russian troops advanced along the chalk heights to the northeastern outskirts of Kryva Luka and took control of the road to Zakotne. Isolated groups of Ukrainian troops hiding in natural shelters on the slopes are being cleared. The clearing of ravines and tree lines on the heights north of Reznykivka is ongoing. Fighting continues in Reznykivka itself, and clashes are ongoing to the south for the Velykyi Vovchyi and Sorochyi forests and the heights between them. In Nykyforivka, there are ongoing fierce engagements for the northern part of the settlement.

In the Krasnyi Lyman sector, Russian units maintain the pace of offensive actions despite difficult weather conditions. They use the infiltration tactic of sending small assault groups to different sectors simultaneously to find weak points in the Ukrainian units’ defense and consolidate their positions. The advance toward the Svyatohirsk railway station continues, with successes in the Aleksandrivka area.

Within the city limits of Krasnyi Lyman, Russian troops have driven Ukrainian units out of a fortified area and expanded their control to Heroiv Desantnykiv Lane. Russian units have advanced towards Sovetskaya Street and have taken control of Kozatska Street. West of Dibrova, the advance continues; a secondary road has been cut off, and the territory in the forested area has expanded. An expansion of the combat zone is observed in the western part of Masliakovka. The chalk slope west of Zakotne has been cleared, allowing for confident control of this sector.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, there is evidence of intense fighting for the city and its outskirts. An extensive “grey zone” persists on the northeastern outskirts north of the T-0504 highway. Small groups are operating, and fighting continues in the area of the railway station and the private sector. Despite the active work of Ukrainian drone operators on Russian communications, transport, and deployment points, Russian assault units are operating under conditions of numerical superiority.

Data has emerged from the southern outskirts of the city regarding the activities of small groups in the “Ukrainskyi Khutir” area. However, consolidation has not yet been achieved there. At the same time, the mere fact of advancing allows one to speak of clearing Berestok and transitioning control of this settlement to Russian units. Ivanopilila has been cleared of Ukrainian troops, but there is still a risk of infiltration through the fields between Berestok and Ivanopilila. There have been no significant changes on the western flank; however, there are contradictory reports of fighting north of Rusyn Yar and in the Stepanivka area. The fighting for Kostiantynivka is becoming more intense. The Ukrainian command has pulled reinforcements into the area and can counterattack within the city limits. Large-scale attacks cannot be ruled out in neighboring Chasiv Yar, which has tactical value.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy area, there are ongoing heavy combat engagements. Assault groups from the “North” grouping are advancing in multiple directions, stretching the defenses of Ukrainian units.

Throughout the day, Russian units advanced in the Sumy district across six sectors, in the Krasnopillia district across five sectors, and in the Hlukhiv district across three sectors. The total advance was up to 700 meters.

Ukrainian units have made unsuccessful attempts to counterattack in the Krasnopillia district. Two assault groups were used for the attacks: one from the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade moved across open terrain to divert attention; the second, from the 253rd Separate “Arie” Assault Regiment, attempted to secretly reach the positions of the Russian troops. Both groups were detected in advance by reconnaissance and engaged by fire. The first group was completely destroyed, and the second group withdrew with losses.

Kharkiv Direction

West of Starytsia, fighting continues as Russian troops clear forested areas of already captured territory. In the Vovchanski Khutory area, Russian units are advancing and hitting Ukrainian troop positions with heavy flamethrower systems. In Vilcha, Ukrainian troops are carrying out unsuccessful counterattacks.

Aviation and FPV drone operators continue to strike identified targets in Volokhivka, Okhrimivka, and Rybalkyne. In the forested area south of Symynivka, Russian troops have advanced 200 meters and captured a significant section of the tree line. The Aerospace Forces struck the positions of the 127th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian troops. In the Vovchanski Khutory area, TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” crews targeted concentrations of Ukrainian Border Guard Service personnel from the 5th Border Detachment. During the fighting, a Ukrainian serviceman from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade was captured. Ukrainian border guard units, especially the 1st Border Detachment stationed in the Mala Vovcha area, have suffered heavy losses.

In the Khatnie sector, aircraft and “Solntsepyoks” hit the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade’s concentration areas in Hryhorivka. Crews operating the TOS-1A destroyed the 1st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in tree plantations west of Chuhunivka. Assault groups from the “North” grouping advanced 250 meters along tree lines on two fronts.

In the Slobozhanske area, Russian forces took control of the Pokrivka settlement. The motorized rifle troops of the 34th Guards Mountain Brigade captured the settlement after overcoming the resistance of the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade and the 253rd “Arie” Assault Regiment. As a result, Russian troops approached Mykhailivka, reducing the distance to Krasnopillia to just over three kilometers. However, counterattacks cannot be ruled out, as Ukrainian reserves remain in the area.

The adjacent forested areas are more important than Pokrivka itself. Russian units have taken control of the Harkivskyi forest, the Svyne tract, and several ravines. This will enable the accumulation of personnel for further action towards Novodmytrivka and Krasnopillia. Nevertheless, a swift assault on Krasnopillia is unlikely; it is more probable that Russian troops will expand the bridgehead to subsequently envelop the settlement from the flanks.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, the situation has sharply escalated on the western flank. Ukrainian forces have launched large-scale counterattacks, breaking through to Plavni and complicating the position of Russian troops in Prymorske and Stepnohirsk. Meanwhile, in other Zaporizhzhia sectors, Russian troops continue to advance and repel attacks. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops are consolidating their position on the chalk heights and fighting for control of key heights and settlements near Slaviansk. In the Kostiantynivka area, fighting has moved into the city limits. Both sides are suffering losses, and despite the Ukrainian units’ numerical superiority, Russian units are gradually improving their tactical position. In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping is advancing systematically, repelling counterattacks and expanding control zones. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are steadily expanding their bridgeheads and clearing forested areas and settlements. In the Slobozhanske area, the capture of Pokrivka and the surrounding forested areas creates conditions for further pressure on Krasnopillia. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops are advancing toward Svyatohirsk and Krasnyi Lyman using small-group tactics.

In the context of external support for Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made a statement. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio, Wadephul explained that interruptions in the supply of air defense missiles to Kyiv are due to the depletion of Germany’s own stockpiles. He stated that anti-aircraft missiles, particularly for Patriot systems, come directly from U.S. production facilities, and everything that leaves the factories is immediately sent to Ukraine. Wadephul noted that supplies are carried out under a mechanism in which European countries, primarily Germany, pay for weapons production in the US and then the weapons are transferred to Ukraine. He also called on other European states to increase their contribution to this financing.

This statement clarifies the reasons for the delays in supplying air defense systems that were previously reported in the media. It also underscores Europe’s dependence on American production capacity and logistics for military aid. Despite their declared support, European allies face limitations in their own arsenals and must resort to financing production in the US, creating additional risks for the timely replenishment of Ukrainian stocks. This raises questions about Europe’s long-term ability to independently meet Kyiv’s needs in the event of a prolonged conflict.

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