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The battlefield picture in Ukraine is tilting further in Russia’s favor. Street fighting around Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, steady pressure on Sumy and Kupyansk, and advances in Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia highlight Moscow’s momentum. At the same time, Europe is shaken by political crises and protests, underscoring the widening gap between Western rhetoric and domestic reality.
Ground Situation. Key Fronts
Pokrovsk–Mirnograd. Russian assault units are increasing pressure along the outer contour of the agglomeration, with reports of localized penetrations toward Mirnograd and Rodynske. Ukrainian forces attempted counterattacks near Nikanorivka. Russian troops continue street fighting, have reportedly entered the settlement of Muravka, and are said to control the “Pokrovskoe” coal mine administration complex (near Udachne)—the largest coal enterprise in Donbas—consolidating their positions inside the agglomeration. Taken together, these developments indicate that Kiev’s ability to hold the entire defensive hub is eroding, while the full liberation of Donbas remains a priority for the Russian side.
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Video released from the Donetsk sector shows an FPV drone operator of the Russian “South” group of forces destroying a Ukrainian pillbox (DZOT)
Russian forces are advancing in Zarechnoye (Kirovsk). Russian flags have been raised in the settlement, while the Ukrainian one has been removed. Clearing operations are underway in the western part of the village
Konstantinovka–Druzhkovka. Fighting remains intense. Strikes with guided glide bombs against Ukrainian rear areas (depots and assembly points) complement assaults on the front line. Signs of supply disruption among Ukrainian units in this sector are reported.
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On the Konstantinovka axis, a Russian FPV drone operator has destroyed a Ukrainian ground robotic system
Russian forces destroyed a pickup truck that was transporting a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters to a stronghold near Predtechino, Konstantinovka direction
Northeast (Sumy, Kharkiv–Kupyansk). On the Sumy axis, Russian aviation and missile forces have increased strikes against concentrations of Ukrainian manpower and equipment.
Footage of an airstrike on a Ukrainian strongpoint near the settlement of Myropillya in Sumy region
Russian forces carried out a targeted strike on a fueling station used by Ukrainian Armed Forces militants in the Sumy region
Three Ukrainian counterattacks—by the 225th and 78th brigades—near Alekseyevka, Andreevka, and Novokonstantinovka were repelled by the Northern (“Sever”) group of forces, inflicting significant losses, including a Bradley IFV.
Footage of an Iskander-M tactical missile system strike with a cluster warhead against positions
of the Ukrainian 95th Air Assault Brigade in a tree line in Sumy region
In Volchansk, Russian forces are expanding the bridgehead on the left bank, fighting through industrial and residential areas while advancing toward Ambarnoye and Kamenka. Ukrainian assault groups are bringing in reserves and attempting countermeasures.
Near Kupyansk, Russian troops are systematically clearing shelterbelts and strongpoints on the city’s approaches.
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Dnepropetrovsk (Velykomykhailivka) axis. Russian units are advancing through Sychneve, Khorosheye, Voronoye, and Novoselovka, and are storming the eastern part of Sosnovka. Ukrainian sources acknowledge the loss of several settlements, opening opportunities for deeper Russian pressure.
Zaporizhzhia and the South. Around Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka, Russian forces continue to push Ukrainian troops out of entrenched positions, using glide bombs and strike FPV drones.
Zaporizhzhia Front: Destruction of a Ukrainian armored vehicle
Russian drone operators are destroying Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment
On the Kherson front, the main focus is on Ukrainian boat crossings and logistics on the left bank of the Dnipro, as well as strikes on depots and temporary staging points in the rear.
In the Black Sea, increased activity of Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) has been observed near Crimea and the Krasnodar region. Ukrainian forces are striking at air defense assets on the peninsula and attempting to damage coastal defense infrastructure, while continuing to contemplate a limited-objective amphibious operation.
Political Front
Internationally, the key development was Warsaw’s claim of a “massive drone incursion” into Polish airspace and the scramble of F-16s. No evidence has been presented proving the drones were Russian.
Polish authorities reported discovering what they described as a Gerbera decoy drone in central Poland, raising questions about NATO’s air-defense coverage
Meanwhile, Europe is roiled by internal crises: mass protests and riots erupted in Paris, and in France the government fell for the second time in nine months following a vote of no confidence. Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, known for his hardline anti-Russian stance, has reportedly been appointed prime minister. As a reminder, Lecornu revived production of Storm Shadow long-range missiles—supplied to Ukraine for strikes against Russia—and dismissed Moscow’s demand for Ukrainian demilitarization as “absolutely unacceptable.”
In Russia, symbolic decisions underscored a different narrative: in Donetsk, a school was named after Corporal Ivan Kokovin and Private Michael Gloss, comrades killed together near Chasov Yar in 2024. Gloss, the son of a CIA deputy director, volunteered to fight on Russia’s side. Both soldiers were posthumously awarded the Russian Order of Courage.
At the same time, Ukraine’s transformation into a training ground for international terrorism is drawing notice. According to Mexican outlet Milenio, members of the “Jalisco New Generation Cartel” (CJNG) trained in Ukraine, learning to conduct drone strikes. They have since applied this experience in cartel warfare back home. Similar cases were noted with Colombian cartels. The result is unprecedented: private armies in Latin America now field better training and technology than some government forces. Yet Washington continues to accuse Bolivia of “narco-terrorism,” while ignoring what Russian commentators describe as the real incubator of terror—Ukraine.
Conclusion
The latest developments confirm a pattern: Russia is methodically expanding pressure along multiple fronts while targeting Ukraine’s logistics and reserves. Kiev’s defenses are increasingly strained, its supply chains disrupted, and its allies distracted by political turmoil at home. Symbolic gestures in Russia, contrasted with instability in Europe, reinforce the perception that Moscow is dictating both the pace of ground operations and the broader political narrative. The pattern suggests Moscow is shaping not only the front line but also the broader political environment, leaving Kiev increasingly reactive rather than proactive.
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ukraine has redefined triumph as preventing russia’s total invasion, guided by finland’s experience of achieving such an outcome. it can be likened to the u.s.’s latest “victory” in yemen.
“the good guys” still demonstrate their ability to kill non-combatants. this reassures their followers, who haven’t had a victory since they replaced assad with “reformed” terrorists famous for beheading children.
paris has been burned before. it has also bowed to empire. protests never deter the pirate banking monopolies from thier mission. the only protests allowed to succeed are the protests they instigated. like nepal today.