Minkivka Captured By Russian Amy: Ukraine Takes Another Blow In Slaviansk Direction

In the Zaporizhzhia area, units from the “East” military grouping have driven Ukrainian troops out of Tsvitkove. They are now battling for strongpoints near Krynychne and Verkhnia Tersa while fending off counterattacks from Rozhdestvenske, Vozdvizhevka, and Velykomikhailivka. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops captured Minkivka, cleared Zakotne, and advanced toward Kryva Luka. They continue to fight in Reznykivka and Nykyforivka. In the Krasnyi Lyman sector, fighting continues on the approaches to the city. Russian troops are advancing on Krasnyi Lyman from the north and south, cutting off Ukrainian logistics. In the Sumy area, the “North” group advanced 750 meters and repelled counterattacks by the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade and the 253rd “Arei” regiment. An Iskander-M strike on the Konotop airfield destroyed over 80 drones. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups advanced near Starytsia, Symynivka, and Vovchanski Khutory and repelled a counterattack by the 113th Territorial Defense Brigade. The first day of negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine concluded in Geneva, with delegations from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine in attendance.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the “East” troop grouping continued their offensive in the Huliaipole area. They are also repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian units at the Dnipropetrovsk-Zaporizhzhia regional border. West of Huliaipole, Russian troops pushed Ukrainian units out of Tsvitkove and reached the tree lines near the railway tracks. They are now fighting for strongpoints located between Krynichne, Tsvitkove, and Verkhnia Tersa. Ukrainian troops are attempting to counterattack from Huliaipil’ske towards Zheleznodorozhne.

To the north, Ukrainian troops have conducted a series of counterattacks on foot and with armored vehicles. These attacks were carried out from Rozhdestvenske and Vozdvizhevka towards Yelenokostiantynivka and Priluky, and from Boikove towards Ternovate. Fierce fighting continues in these areas. Russian units are clearing the territory between Dobropillia and Solodke of infiltrated Ukrainian troops. North of the regional border, Ukrainian troops are counterattacking toward Andriivka and Hai.

From Velykomikhailivka, Ukrainian troops are attempting to break through the third defensive line’s strongpoints towards Berezove. Combat operations are ongoing in Sosnivka and Khoroshe. Russian units pushed Ukrainian troops out of several strongpoints on the heights west of Ivanivka. They are now attacking in the direction of Havrylivka and Pidhavrylivka. This threatens the Ukrainian unit grouping in the Velykomikhailivka area.

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian units continue to attack from Velykomikhailivka. They are attempting to cross the Vorona River with armored vehicles and reach the Stepove–Berezove–Ternove line. Russian troops have struck Ukrainian infantry groups north of Ternove. Currently, Ukrainian troops are attempting to break through beyond Sosnivka and Orestopil. They have also tried to concentrate in tree lines to the south, but according to available information, they have been unsuccessful.

Previously, footage appeared of strikes on the Otradne settlement, which Russian units had previously captured but which Ukrainian troops subsequently re-entered. Neither side has made statements about full control over it since then. Fighting continues along the Haichur River. In Dobropillia, where Russian units had previously dispersed and destroyed part of the Ukrainian assault groups, Ukrainian drones are now targeting Russian positions. In the Huliaipole area, Russian assault groups continue to attack west of the Tsvitkove–Zheleznodorozhne line.

The situation on the northern flank remains tense. The Ukrainian command has concentrated significant reserves in the area, including nearly all separate assault regiments and two air assault brigades. Ukrainian units have been trying to push through the defense of the “East” grouping with these forces since the beginning of February. The open terrain poses challenges for both sides: Ukrainian units can infiltrate through tree lines, but they have difficulty holding positions and rotating. The increase in activity in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia area suggests that the attempts at a breakthrough will continue.

Slaviansk Direction

In the direction of Slaviansk, Russian units continue offensive actions. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops have taken control of the Minkivka settlement.

In the northern and Siversk sectors, Russian troops have improved their tactical position in the forested area south of Illichivka. However, pockets of Ukrainian resistance remain in the village itself. The Russian army has achieved successes on the eastern and northeastern approaches to Kryva Luka. Russian troops have consolidated their position in the “Melova Flora” nature reserve and reached the outskirts of the village. In Zakotne, the remaining “pockets” have been cleared; artillery is being used to support assault groups. Fighting continues in Reznykivka. Russian units are breaking through to the western part of the village and dismantling the Ukrainian troops’ defenses on the northern heights. They are also expanding their control zone in the forested area.

Currently, the territory between Zakotne, Kryva Luka, and Reznykivka is a “grey zone.” Russian units are infiltrating in small groups from the north, from Zakotne and the Siverskyi Donets River, towards strongpoints on Reznykivka’s northern outskirts.

Fierce fighting continues in Nykyforivka in the southern sector. An offensive is developing from the direction of Pryvollya towards Fedorivka Druha. Ukrainian units remain in Minkivka, and clearing operations are underway.

Assault groups have advanced from the direction of Zakotne towards Kryva Luka. According to some sources, including Ukrainian ones, fighting has begun for control of the settlement itself. South of Zakotne, additional sections of tree lines have been taken under control. In the Reznykivka area, fighting continues, likely to close the “pocket” to the south through which Ukrainian units previously advanced toward Sviato-Pokrovske and deployed assault groups. There is no information yet about full control over Sviato-Pokrovske.

The situation remains complex on the southern flank. The Ministry of Defense previously announced the capturing of Minkivka; however, clashes between small groups were recorded in the settlement several days ago, and there has been no visual confirmation of full control. A similar situation is observed in neighboring Pryvollya. As Russian units advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka, a new front line may form, creating prerequisites for further actions toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. However, this is not imminent, as the former Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal remains an obstacle. Despite shallowing, it hinders the movement of equipment.

Krasnyi Lyman Direction

Fighting continues on the outskirts of Krasnyi Lyman. Russian units are approaching the city from the north, near the O0526 highway and the Krasnolymanska poultry farm. They are also approaching from the south. Assault groups have reached the outskirts of the city, but establishing full control under urban combat conditions is difficult. To the south of Krasnyi Lyman, the offensive is advancing from Dibrova towards Staryi Karavan and Brusivka. Russian troops have captured several forest areas, and Ukrainian units are counterattacking. There are reports of fighting continuing near a clearing with power lines.

Russian troops’ next task is to cut off Ukrainian units’ ground supply routes near the Siverskyi Donets, which were previously disrupted by drone strikes. The T-05-14 highway south of Krasnyi Lyman is no longer usable. The road through Drobysheve is subject to constant drone attacks, and the crossing in the Yarova area is severely restricted. As a result, Ukrainian units can be supplied either from accumulated stocks or via secondary country roads from Mayaki and Shchurove. With the spring thaw, forest areas will become even less passable. The Ukrainian command’s ability to strengthen the defense of Krasnyi Lyman is gradually diminishing, though Ukrainian troops may attempt urban warfare. There is also expected to be an activation of Ukrainian troops’ actions in the neighboring Borova direction, where a vulnerable sector exists.

Sumy Direction

A strike by an Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system destroyed a launch site for long-range strike drones at the Konotop airfield in the Sumy region. Ukraine lost over 80 drones and more than a platoon of operators.

Assault units of the “North” grouping advanced in six sectors in the Sumy district, three sectors in the Krasnopillia district, and two sectors in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day was up to 750 meters. Ukrainian units conducted one unsuccessful counterattack in the Andriivka area with the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The assault group was destroyed by intense fire.

The Ukrainian command continues to attempt to regain lost positions in the Pokrivka area. To this end, they deployed four assault groups from the 122nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade and the 253rd Separate “Arie” Assault Regiment. Reconnaissance detected their advance in advance, and the counterattack was thwarted by fire engagement.

Kharkiv Direction

In the Starytsia area, Russian units continued to clear adjacent tree plantations, advancing up to 200 meters over the day. In the forested area near Symynivka, units of the “North” grouping advanced 300 meters across four sectors and seized a Ukrainian stronghold. In the Vovchanski Khutory area, the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s counterattack was repelled. Crews operating the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” and the Russian Aerospace Forces continued to strike concentrations of Ukrainian State Border Guard Service personnel. In the Khatnie sector, aviation destroyed the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade’s positions in the Kolodezne area. Assault groups of the “North” grouping advanced 200 meters along tree lines on two fronts.

Fighting continues in the Slobozhanske sector. Yesterday, it was announced that Russian units had taken control of the Pokrivka settlement and adjacent forested areas. However, according to updated data, Ukrainian troops still controlled the Svyne tract and the Harkivskyi forest as of yesterday. Nevertheless, Russian troops captured Pokrivka, a small border village located approximately one and a half kilometers from the state border. No large-scale advance toward Krasnopillia is expected in the near future. It is likely that Russian units will aim to expand their control zone along the border. A ravine south of Hrabovs’ke has been captured; it was previously located in a “pocket” formed by the border’s configuration. The forested areas south of Pokrivka and Novodmytrivka have greater tactical value than the villages themselves and will likely be the site of future fighting. Ukrainian reserves have been concentrated in the Krasnopillia area since Russian troops attacked near Hrabovs’ke.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates a continued high level of combat intensity in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian “East” units continue to advance and consolidate on new lines despite Ukrainian troops’ active counterattacks involving significant reserves. These advances threaten Ukrainian flanks. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops have achieved tactical victories by capturing Minkivka and expanding their control zones in Kryva Luka and Zakotne.

They are approaching the key defensive stronghold at Rai-Oleksandrivka. In the Krasnyi Lyman area, the “West” grouping is systematically tightening the ring around the city, cutting off Ukrainian units’ logistical routes and creating conditions for a further assault. In the Sumy area, the “North” grouping is advancing systematically, repelling counterattacks and striking Ukrainian rear infrastructure. This includes the destruction of a drone launch site at the Konotop airfield. In the Kharkiv area, Russian units are steadily improving their tactical position by clearing forested areas and expanding their control zone near the border. In the Slobozhanske direction, capturing Pokrivka and the surrounding forests paves the way for further pressure on Krasnopillia, though the main focus will likely be on expanding the bridgehead along the border.An important event in the international political context was the Geneva negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The six-hour meeting was closed to the press and conducted in Russian and English. The negotiations were both bilateral and trilateral: Russia–USA, Russia–Ukraine, and Russia–USA–Ukraine. Vladimir Medinsky led the Russian delegation, Steven Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner led the American delegation, and Kyrylo Budanov led the Ukrainian delegation. According to a source in the negotiating group, key parameters of the settlement were discussed, including military, political, and humanitarian aspects. The Ukrainian side stated its intention to raise the issue of an energy truce. The negotiations concluded after the first day and will resume on Wednesday.

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