Highway To Hell: Ukrainian Reserves Decimated On Road To Kostiantynivka

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units are engaged in heavy fighting in Illinivka and Dovha Balka. They are creating a bridgehead to envelop the city from the northwest. Ukrainian forces are actively using drones. A concentration of destroyed equipment has formed at the northern entrance to Kostiantynivka. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops have advanced along the Plotva River after clearing Vovchanski Khutory and Zybine. They are now fighting in Pokaliane and Okhrimivka, threatening to encircle Ukrainian units in the Okhrimivka-Olkhovatka salient. In the Sumy direction, Russian troops are advancing toward Myropillia and Krasnopillia. They are consolidating their position in Stepok and Taratutyne and fighting in Novodmytrivka and near Riasne. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops are expanding their control zone between Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa. They are advancing toward Huliaipilske and Charivne and repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. Péter Magyar, the head of the victorious “Tisza” party in Hungary, does not share the views of European leaders on aid to Ukraine. He opposes the loan for Kyiv and Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units are engaged in heavy fighting in the city itself and on its flanks. To the east, Ukrainian forces control the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. Without this control, it is impossible to envelop Kostiantynivka from the northeast. Meanwhile, there are intense firefights between small infantry groups in the southern and southwestern parts of the city. Both sides are drawn into the settlement, which has extensive built-up areas and industrial zones.

In addition to countering unmanned aerial vehicles, Russian units are identifying and engaging the launch points of these drones and targeting their operators for elimination. In modern warfare, this is considered more important than controlling another basement or set of ruins on the ground. The heaviest fighting is taking place in Illinivka and Dovha Balka. Taking control of these areas will allow Russian units to bring drone operator positions closer to the front and create a solid bridgehead for an attack on Kostiantynivka from the northwest.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Ukrainian command regularly sends reinforcements to the city in armored vehicles and pickup trucks. However, they are extremely vulnerable to attacks by fiber-optic drones due to anti-drone “corridors.” Russian operators exploit this vulnerability. Consequently, a significant accumulation of destroyed equipment has formed at the northern entrance to Kostiantynivka. In addition to armored vehicles and pickup trucks, a large number of ground-based robotic transport complexes are being destroyed there. These complexes are finding it increasingly difficult to maneuver between the hulks of previously destroyed equipment.

Kharkiv Direction

In the direction of Kharkiv, units of the “North” grouping have pushed Ukrainian units out of Zybine after clearing Vovchanski Khutory and fighting in Pokaliane. Clashes continue along the northeast line of the Vovcha River.

Combat operations are ongoing in Okhrimivka. After crossing the Vovcha River, Russian assault groups advanced through the village to the southern outskirts and the Vovchansk–Zemlianky road. Russian units now control most of the village. Ukrainian units are counterattacking intensely from Zakharivka. Okhrimivka is located where the Plotva River flows into the Vovcha River. There are six settlements along the Plotva up to the approaches to Olkhovatka from the northwest. Units of the “North” grouping are attacking Olkhovatka from the east, approaching from Shevyakivka and Chuhunivka.

If Russian units advance further along the Plotva and reach Olkhovatka from the west and east, they could encircle Ukrainian units in the Okhrimivka-Olkhovatka salient. This would significantly affect their morale and the stability of the defense in this area. Russian drone and artillery units are establishing an isolation zone in this area, engaging the Ukrainian forces from three directions across the entire defense perimeter.

In the northern part of the salient, Russian units are fighting for Shabelne, Nesterne, and Zemlianky. East of Zybine, fighting continues for the dominant heights and Bochkove. According to operational information requiring confirmation, Russian assault groups are entering Volokhivka. In the Kraichne area, Ukrainian forces have concentrated drone units and are attempting to stop the Russian advance through counterattacks and unmanned aerial vehicle strikes.

Sumy Direction

In the Sumy direction, specifically in the Krasnopillia sector, units from the “North” group continue their offensive towards Myropillia and Krasnopillia. In the northern part of the sector, Russian units are advancing toward Myropillia from Myropilske through the forest. There are fierce engagements in the area between Velykyi Prikol and Petrushivka, as well as north and east of Turia, from the direction of Myropilske and Prokhody.

Russian units are consolidating in Stepok. There are ongoing fierce engagements between Pokrivka and Mykhailivka. Several strikes with heavy flamethrower systems have been carried out on Ukrainian unit reserves in Mykhailivka. There are fierce firefights in Novodmytrivka and in the forested areas to the north and south. Yesterday, Russian units captured Taratutyne, and they are consolidating and clearing adjacent territories. Fighting continues near Riasne, and strikes are being carried out on Ukrainian positions in the village.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, northwest of Oleksandrohrad, there is intense fighting in the forested area beyond the Vovcha River, where Ukrainian forces are launching counterattacks. Russian units are expanding their control zone between the settlements of Vozdvizhevka and Verkhnia Tersa.

Artillery crews and FPV drone operators are targeting the positions and deployment sites of Ukrainian units in Dolynka, Verkhnia Tersa, Kopani, and Vozdvizhevka. To the south, Russian assault units are advancing toward Huliaipilske and Charivne.

In all sectors, Ukrainian units are counterattacking, inserting small groups to consolidate their positions, and sending large numbers of various types of drones to Russian positions and rear areas. The situation remains complex. The Russian side has strengthened its defenses and increased the number of unmanned aerial vehicle control points to attack Ukrainian units. This has helped them stabilize the situation in the Oleksandrohrad and Vozdvizhevka areas.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian units continue to advance in Illinivka and Dovha Balka, creating conditions for an envelopment of the city from the northwest, despite the active use of drones by the Ukrainian side and regular transfers of reserves. The destruction of equipment near Kostiantynivka is reaching significant proportions. In the Kharkiv area, Russian units have advanced successfully in Okhrimivka, creating a threat of encirclement in the Okhrimivka-Olkhovatka salient. This demonstrates their ability to achieve tactical success along water barriers. In the Sumy direction, the “North” group continues its methodical offensive, consolidating control of captured settlements and striking Ukrainian reserves. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian units are managing to expand control zones and stabilize their position despite the complex situation and active counterattacks.

In the context of international politics, an important event was the stance taken by Péter Magyar, the leader of the victorious “Tisza” party in Hungary. According to L’AntiDiplomatico, citing analysts, Magyar does not share the views of other European leaders regarding aid to Ukraine. He is in no hurry to transfer the funds his own country needs to Kyiv, forcing the European Commission to pressure him. Meanwhile, Budapest demands the immediate release of over 17 billion euros in EU funds that were previously denied to Viktor Orbán. According to experts, Ukraine’s optimism about a change in leadership in Hungary is premature. Earlier, Magyar stated that Budapest should not participate in the loan for Kyiv. He opposed Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union, expressed hope for the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions, and acknowledged that Hungary cannot yet give up Russian oil. These statements demonstrate that a change in leadership in Hungary is unlikely to lead to a radical shift in Budapest’s stance on providing financial and military support to Ukraine.

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