File image.
In the Zaporizhzhia area, fighting continues in Prymorske, where Ukrainian forces are sending small groups to reinforce their positions. In the Dobropillia area, the “Center” troop grouping has solidified its control over Toretske, Shakhove, and Sofiyivka and is advancing towards Bilytske. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups have advanced through the forested areas near Staritsa and Symynivka, as well as the Vovchanski Khutory area. Ukrainian troops have been forced to retreat to reserve lines. In the Sumy region, the “North” troop grouping’s assault units are advancing quickly on Northal fronts, breaching the Ukrainian troops’ defenses. Polling data reviewed by The New York Times shows an increasing number of Ukrainians are willing to make territorial concessions for peace.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
The situation in this area is characterized by positional battles and attempts by both sides to reinforce their lines. Clashes continue in the Prymorske area. Despite earlier claims that Russian units had taken control of this settlement, Ukrainian units continue to send small groups into it to take up defensive positions in buildings. They are entering through the neighboring Richne.
North of Malokaterynivka, Ukrainian forces are actively fortifying defensive positions by digging trenches and building other fortifications. There have also been reports of mining routes and installing firing points in the Zaporizhzhia area. Mobile fire groups of Ukrainian troops have been spotted on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River during Russian drone operator aerial reconnaissance. Russian Airborne Forces are striking identified positions with rocket artillery and drones. Russian paratroopers are systematically destroying discovered fortifications along the entire southeast Zaporizhzhia line.
Dobropillia Direction
In the direction of Dobropillia, units of the “Center” troop grouping are conducting an offensive on Northal fronts and have made significant progress in the Toretske area. Following intense fighting, Russian troops have gained full control of Shakhove and Sofiyivka. This has allowed them to eliminate a significant “grey zone” sector on this flank.
To the southwest, fighting continues on the approaches to Bilytske. Russian units have expanded their control in the Dorozhny area. Clashes for Novyi Donbas persist, with Russian assault groups advancing toward Bilytske. They have captured Northal tree lines and gained a foothold on the outskirts of the settlement.
The status of the central part of Rodynske remains uncertain. This settlement has repeatedly changed hands, which complicates the assessment of current control over it. Ukrainian units likely have the capability to supply their forces in Rodynske with drones until Russian troops capture the former “Zaporizka” mine, which is located to the west. Russian assault groups are advancing toward this facility through tree lines and bypassing Rodynske from the flanks. After regrouping following previous operations, the “Center” grouping is increasing the tempo of attacks on the northern flank of this area.
Kharkiv Direction
There is ongoing fierce fighting on all sections of the Kharkiv front. Russian assault groups are advancing through tree plantations and settlements south of Vovchansk, as well as in the Khatnie area. The advancing units are receiving active support from Russian aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems.
In the Staritsa area, Russian units advanced on two fronts, expanding their control zone. In the forested area southwest of Symynivka, assault groups advanced further, capturing one of the Ukrainian troops’ positions. In the Vovchanski Khutory area, Russian servicemen captured Northal households and consolidated on new lines. Airstrikes were carried out on the positions of the Ukrainian 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade in this area.
On the Khatnie section of the front, Russian assault groups advanced in Northal directions, overcoming resistance. Ukrainian units are withdrawing to reserve positions in the Khatnie area. In the Lyptsi area, reconnaissance and FPV drone crews continue to identify Ukrainian drones control points for subsequent artillery strikes.
Slaviansk Direction
Activity is noted in several sections in this combined direction. Units of the “South” grouping are continuing their offensive in the Zakotne area. Russian troops have taken control of several tree lines in the lowlands to the south of the village. Ukrainian units attempted to counterattack from Kryva Luka but suffered equipment losses. There are also reports of Russian advances in the fields south of Zakotne.
There are ongoing heavy engagements between small groups near Reznykivka. Ukrainian forces maintain control of the heights to the north and south of the settlement by employing artillery and drones, which impedes the Russian advance. Several Ukrainian artillery pieces were hit on the approaches to Reznykivka, including those operated by drones at a significant distance from the contact line.
Fighting continued for Aleksandrivka in the Krasnyi Lyman section. Russian units control the western part of the village and have advanced from the east, fending off Ukrainian counterattacks from the forested area near Krymky. They are maintaining fire control over possible routes for transferring reinforcements. The control zone has expanded into the forested area towards the Sosnove-Aleksandrivka road. In Svyatohirsk, fighting continues in the “grey zone” of the military hospital. Russian groups are operating eastward in the Tatyanivka area.
In the Drobysheve area, fighting continues in difficult, forested terrain. Russian units have expanded their control to the school, which is still held by Ukrainian forces. Efforts are underway to eliminate a tactical “pocket” in the Drobysheve-Stavky area with precision artillery shells. There have been successes in expanding control west of Stavky.
In Krasnyi Lyman, Russian troops are attempting to straighten the front line between the northern and southeastern parts of the city in order to merge bridgeheads and advance the offensive towards the western outskirts. Ukrainian units regularly attempt to transfer reinforcements, but Russian strike drones track and intercept these movements. The destruction of crossings over the Siverskyi Donets River, which are used by the Ukrainian forces for supply purposes, including those in the Mayaki area, continues.
Kupyansk Direction
In this direction, the “West” group continues its operation to eliminate the Ukrainian grouping on the left bank of the Oskol River. After consolidating in Peschane, Russian units continued the offensive to the south, building on success. They pushed Ukrainian troops out of tree plantations south of the settlement and advanced to the Dubovka River. They reached the dam of the pond east of Novoosinove and crossed to the left bank. There, they gained a foothold on the eastern outskirts of the village and started fighting for it.
Meanwhile, north of Novoosinove, Russian units advancing from the northern part of Kurylivka moved south. They took two strongpoints, threatening two more fortified positions north of Kovsharivka with rear envelopment. Currently, battles are ongoing in the northern part of Kovsharivka. This breakthrough threatens to encircle Ukrainian units defending the southern part of Kurylivka and opens a path to the rear of the southern part of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi and the crossings in the Osinove area.
Fighting continues for Podoly and Petropavlivka. In Petropavlivka, Ukrainian troops are under operational encirclement, yet they still control the center of the city and the strong points to the northeast and southwest. In Podoly, Russian troops have consolidated their position on Novoselivka Street and in the northern part of the city. Russian assault groups’ successful entry into Novoosinove threatens a large Ukrainian defense area in the interflute between the Dubovka and Syno-Bratova rivers. This creates the prerequisites for encircling the area with further advancement south towards Hlushkivka.
Sumy Direction
Fighting continues for Aleksandrivka in the Krasnyi Lyman area. Russian units control the western part of the village and have advanced from the east, fending off Ukrainian counterattacks from the forested area near Krymky. They maintain fire control over possible routes for transferring reinforcements. The control zone has expanded into the forested area near the Sosnove-Aleksandrivka road. In Svyatohirsk, fighting continues in the territory of the military hospital, which has become a “gray zone.” Russian groups are advancing eastward in the Tatyanivka area.
In the Drobysheve area, fighting continues in the difficult terrain of the forest. Russian units have expanded their control to the school, which Ukrainian forces still hold. Efforts are underway to eliminate a tactical “pocket” in the Drobysheve-Stavky area using precision artillery shells. There have been successes in expanding control west of Stavky.
In Krasnyi Lyman, Russian troops are attempting to straighten the front line between the northern and southeastern parts of the city to merge bridgeheads and advance the offensive toward the western outskirts.
Conclusion
Fighting continues for Aleksandrivka in the Krasnyi Lyman area. Russian units control the western part of the village and have advanced from the east, fending off Ukrainian counterattacks from the forested area near Krymky. They maintain fire control over possible routes for transferring reinforcements. The control zone has expanded into the forested area near the Sosnove-Aleksandrivka road. In Svyatohirsk, fighting continues in the territory of the military hospital, which has become a “gray zone.” Russian groups are advancing eastward in the Tatyanivka area.
In the Drobysheve area, fighting continues in the difficult terrain of the forest. Russian units have expanded their control to the school, which Ukrainian forces still hold. Efforts are underway to eliminate a tactical “pocket” in the Drobysheve-Stavky area using precision artillery shells. There have been successes in expanding control west of Stavky.
In Krasnyi Lyman, Russian troops are attempting to straighten the front line between the northern and southeastern parts of the city to merge bridgeheads and advance the offensive toward the western outskirts. Ukrainian unit
The publication cites a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology from January 23 to 29. According to the results, 40% of respondents supported the idea of abandoning the Donbas regions still under Ukrainian control in exchange for security guarantees. This is a significant shift from May 2022, when a poll by the same institute found that 82% of Ukrainians opposed any territorial compromises.
The current trend aligns with findings from other sociological services, which also report a gradual increase in the proportion of the population willing to make territorial concessions to end hostilities. The publication provides direct quotes from poll participants that illustrate this sentiment. “Peace is my priority. If giving up Donbas will stop the war, I am ready to agree to it,” said one respondent. Despite the changes in public opinion recorded by sociologists, Kyiv’s official position remains unchanged. The New York Times emphasizes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to oppose withdrawing troops from Donbas and refuses to negotiate terms for territorial compromises.
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