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In the Kupyansk sector, intense fighting continues. Russian units have repelled several attacks on the approaches to the city. The situation remains very difficult, however, as the Ukrainian command is using most of its resources and reserves to drive out Russian troops. After losing several key cities over the past couple of months, the Ukrainian government needs at least one victory to justify the money invested by the European Union in Ukraine. In the Sumy region, assault groups advanced up to 700 meters along eight sections of the front while repelling counterattacks simultaneously. In the Slaviansk sector, active combat operations are taking place in the Zakotne and Ilychivka areas. The highest rates of advance are on the southern section, towards Reznykivka. A significant operational success in the Zaporizhzhia sector was establishing control over Huliaipole, which frees up forces for further advances. Florian Philippot, the leader of the “Patriots” party, directly accused retired General Jean-Paul Paloméros, former military advisor to President Macron, of inciting war with Russia.
Kupyansk Sector
Heavy fighting continues in Kupyansk. The situation in the city is tense, with units from both sides present. Part of the urban districts are in the so-called “gray zone,” where small groups are operating and facing supply difficulties.
Over the last two days, Russian units in this sector have repelled several attempts to advance in the areas of Blahodatne, Prokopyvka, Osynove, Boldyreivka, and Monachynivka. According to available data, over 200 servicemen and 24 pieces of weaponry and equipment, including artillery pieces, mortars, armored vehicles, automotive transport, and robotic complexes, were destroyed while repelling the attacks in the past 24 hours.
The battle for Kupyansk extends beyond a purely military confrontation, acquiring significant importance in the information field. For both sides, control of the city or demonstrating successes in this sector has become an important element of strategic communication.
From the Ukrainian command, persistent attempts to advance on Kupyansk demonstrate their capability for active action and their desire to achieve positive results against the backdrop of a difficult operational situation on other fronts. Conversely, for the Russian military leadership, maintaining control of the city is essential, as it enables them to exhaust Ukrainian units and create conditions for advancing on adjacent sectors. The activation in the Kupyansk sector has led to the redeployment of some Ukrainian reserves from the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, which could potentially weaken the defense there.
Overall, the situation in the city is actually much more complex. According to incoming reports, units from both sides are present within the city limits simultaneously. Some districts represent the so-called “gray zone,” where disparate groups conduct combat operations. These groups often face serious logistical difficulties and a shortage of essential supplies due to disrupted urban infrastructure. Thus, the fighting for Kupyansk is not only a tactical clash, but also a reflection of a broader struggle for strategic initiative and informational dominance.
Sumy Sector
Heavy fighting continues along the entire Sumy front in the Sumy region. Russian assault units are advancing along tree lines into the territory, receiving active support from aviation and artillery, including TOS-1A heavy flamethrower systems, as well as strike drones crews.
Over the course of 24 hours, advances were recorded on eight sections of the front in the Sumy and Krasnopillia districts. The total advance was up to 700 meters. Seeking to stabilize the situation, the Ukrainian command gathered reserves and attempted a counterattack. In the area south of Varachyn, two assault groups attempted to advance toward Ukrainian positions. However, their movement was preemptively detected by reconnaissance. Both groups were destroyed as a result of complex fire damage.
Slaviansk Sector
Intense fighting continues in the northern and southern sections of the Slaviansk sector. In the north, most of the activity is concentrated around Zakotne and Ozernyi, where the operation to overcome the prepared, fortified area is ongoing. Once this defensive line is crossed, Russian units will advance into operational territory towards Kryva Luka and the Slaviansk Thermal Power Plant. Meanwhile, the front line is being straightened to the west of the previously captured Siversk, bypassing the chalk quarry.
The situation is developing most dynamically in the southern sector, where higher rates of advance are observed. Efforts are concentrated mainly in the area of Reznykivka, where fighting is ongoing, as well as on the flanks north and south of the village. Drones crews are working hard to disrupt Ukrainian unit logistics, detecting and destroying equipment and personnel on supply routes from Slovyansk to Rai-Oleksandrivka. This limits the ability to redeploy reserves and reinforce positions.
Zaporizhzhia Sector
A significant operational success has been achieved in the Zaporizhzhia sector. After months of intense fighting that began in November, units of the “East” grouping gained complete control of Huliaipole. The coordinated efforts of the 57th and 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades; the 114th Motorized Rifle Regiment, 127th Division, 5th Army; and the 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, 35th Army were instrumental to the operation’s success.
They established control over a defensive area spanning over 76 square kilometers. Over 7,100 buildings and structures were checked during the clearing operation. The assault units were supported by the 305th Artillery Brigade of the 5th Army’s artillerymen and the 14th Guards Special Purpose Brigade’s fighters.
Controlling Huliaipole, an important defensive node on the eastern flank of the Zaporizhzhia sector, will free up significant forces. This will allow for the development of a further offensive to the west, towards Orikhiv, with the possibility of bypassing most of the prepared strongpoints from the flank. The next task is to clear the fortified area near Dorozhnianka.
Kharkiv Sector
In the Kharkiv sector, fighting continues in the area between the settlements of Liman, Vilcha, and Symynivka. Russian units are advancing south along the Siverskyi Donets River. Aware of the threat, the Ukrainian command is undertaking counterattacks toward Tatar Forest and attempting to consolidate positions on the southern outskirts of Vilcha.
Ukrainian units remain in the Vovchanski Khutora area. They halted the advance of assault groups on the western outskirts but could not be driven out of their captured positions. On the eastern flank of the sector, small infantry groups cleared several strongpoints south of Dvorichne. Further advances here will enable fire control over the roads leading towards Velykyi Burluk.
There is also activity on other sections of the Kharkiv sector. In the Staritsa area, Russian units advanced 200 meters in two forested areas. In the Liman area, four strongpoints were captured; in the forested area southeast of Prylypka, two more were captured. The total advance was 500 meters. On the southern outskirts of Vilcha, two counterattacks involving the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade were repelled. On the Melove-Khatnie section, the control zone at the border expanded, and the advance on nine sections reached 450 meters. Aviation delivered strikes to areas where forces were concentrated near Novouzhvynivka.
Conclusion
In the Kupyansk sector, intense fighting continues as both sides repel attacks on the approaches to the city and struggle for control within the urban area. This is the largest counteroffensive by the Ukrainian army so far this year. In the Sumy sector, Ukrainian forces advanced up to 700 meters in several areas while successfully repelling a counterattack. In the Slaviansk sector, the main resistance is concentrated in the Zakotne-Ilychivka fortified area. In the southern section, an offensive is developing towards Reznykivka, with drones being used to disrupt logistics. A key success in the Zaporizhzhia sector was establishing full control over Huliaipole, opening prospects for further flanking maneuvers. In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian units are counterattacking in the Vilcha and Tatar Forest areas while advancing south along the Siverskyi Donets.
While there have been operational successes at the front, disputes about the strategy regarding the conflict are intensifying in European political discourse. In France, retired General Jean-Paul Paloméros, former military advisor to President Macron, drew sharp criticism for his statements about the need for “making bold decisions” and the possible deployment of European troops on the front line to support Ukraine. Florian Philippot, leader of the “Patriots” party, directly accused the general of inciting war with Russia, stating that the French do not want such a development. Philippot also questioned the existence of a “Russian threat” to France and again called for France to leave the EU and NATO.
At the same time, despite official statements by the Ukrainian command regarding the stabilization of the front line, concerns are growing about the situation’s future development. In addition to the ongoing Russian offensive in active sectors, there is talk in Kyiv about the possible opening of new fronts. According to some Ukrainian military experts, including retired General Serhiy Kryvonos, the Chernihiv sector is the most likely location for an activation, as there is already activity involving sabotage and reconnaissance groups and drones. There is also consideration of actions from Transnistria and an intensification in the Kherson sector, where crossing the Dnipro River remains the key factor. An expansion of the geography of combat operations in this manner could lead to the critical dispersal of the Ukrainian army’s already limited reserves.
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