File image.
In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian units advanced into the center of Kryva Luka and reached the dominant heights north of Reznykivka. They have begun entering Fedorivka Druha and are pushing Ukrainian units off the fortified heights toward Rai-Oleksandrivka. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian troops have launched large-scale attacks with armored vehicles near Ternove and Berezove. They have suffered losses from Russian drones, while Russian troops have maintained the initiative around Huliaipole. In the Sumy area, Russian troops advanced 1,100 meters and captured several tree lines east of Oleksiivka, forcing Ukrainian troops out of the Varachyne area. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups repelled counterattacks south of Starytsia and advanced in Vovchanski Khutory, destroying Ukrainian reserves. In the Dobropillia area, there is fierce fighting for control of Hryshyne, Bilytske, and Kucheriv Yar. After a conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed the opinion that Ukraine is not interested in restoring oil transit through its territory.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slavyansk, Ukrainian units continue to be systematically pushed off the dominant heights in the Zakotne-Kryva Luka and Reznykivka area. Due to the complex landscape and well-fortified Ukrainian defensive structures in these sectors, advancing is difficult. Once control of these heights is established, Ukrainian units will have to withdraw west to the Rai-Oleksandrivka area and the large forested area between Rai-Oleksandrivka and Mykolaivka.
Russian units are actively working to destroy Ukrainian troops’ logistics in the forested area east of Mykolaivka and in Rai-Oleksandrivka itself. Attempts to rotate troops and deliver ammunition are being identified and thwarted. Consequently, the control zone of Russian drones is gradually expanding and shifting westward towards Mykolaivka and the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal.
In the southern sector, Russian assault groups have advanced through tree plantations north of Pryvollya. Fighting continues on the approaches to Fedorivka Druha. There are meeting engagements near Lypivka, but no consolidation in the village. Efforts to eliminate Ukrainian units in strongpoints between Minkivka and Markove continue.
The troops of the “South” group continue to advance east of the Slaviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. There have been intense clashes involving a large number of drones on both sides throughout the area. Ukrainian units are throwing recently mobilized personnel into battle in an attempt to recapture lost positions and prevent a Russian troop breakthrough into Rai-Oleksandrivka.
Russian assault units have advanced into the center of Kryva Luka and the southern area. North of Reznykivka, Russian troops have reached heights that dominate the village. Several groups of Ukrainian troops have withdrawn toward Kalenyky. Fighting continues for the heights south of Reznykivka and the Velykyi Vovchyi Forest. Ukrainian troops have been driven out of the Sorochyi Forest.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the Zaporizhzhia area, evidence of ongoing attacks by Ukrainian units on the northern sectors continues to emerge. Two units of armored vehicles were destroyed by FPV drone strikes on the outskirts of Ternove and Berezove. Previously, there were reports of Ukrainian units reaching these settlements, but there was no confirming footage at that time.
Another infantry fighting vehicle was hit near the border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions while traveling through the Vyshneve area. An armored vehicle was also destroyed near Verbove. Since the attacks began in early February, Ukrainian units have been trying to quickly pass through or bypass villages without consolidating their position, attempting to advance as deeply as possible into territory controlled by Russian troops.
Reports are coming in from the central sector of attacks by Russian units towards Vozdvizhenka after Rozhdestvenske was taken over; however, the situation there remains unclear. Fighting for Ternovate continues.
In the south, Russian units are maintaining the initiative in the Huliaipole area and advancing in the vicinity of Zheleznodorozhne. They are capturing tree lines to the east of the railway.
One of the Ukrainian units’ tasks is to achieve a political effect. Attempting to advance as far as possible allows them to claim significant areas of “liberated” territory through a network of pro-Ukrainian resources. At the same time, Ukrainian sources are limited to general formulations and do not specify the names of villages. The Ukrainian command is seeking to demonstrate its ability to conduct offensive actions, which explains the transfer of forces in this direction. It is also possible that the Ukrainian side is counting on an informational effect and a hasty Russian reaction. However, the “East” grouping has not previously shown a tendency toward hasty decisions or false reports.
Sumy Direction
Russian units captured a number of tree lines east of Oleksiivka and south of Novomykolaivka, effectively pushing Ukrainian units out of the Varachyne area. The Ukrainian side had previously recaptured the area during the spring-summer counteroffensive. Footage has emerged confirming that Russian fighters advanced south of Varachyne. The area of the advance spans up to 30 hectares.
During intense combat, Russian assault units are dislodging Ukrainian forces from strongholds in the Sumy region. Russian aviation struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel in forested areas south of Iskrykivshchyna, near Myropillia, Maryine, Nova Sich, and Krasnopillia. The “North” grouping’s artillery targeted forward positions.
Assault groups of the “North” grouping advanced on ten sections in the Sumy district and on one section in the Krasnopillia district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 1,100 meters.
There is information about another group of the 140th Special Operations Center being transferred to the Sumy region. Previously, it was reported that groups from this special forces unit were eliminated in the Sadky area and near Varachyne. The Ukrainian command continues to use special forces as ordinary line units due to a negative attitude toward special forces by Commander-in-Chief Syrsky and a simple shortage of personnel.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces are attempting to stop the advance of Russian troops by deploying additional groups of drone operators to attack civilian infrastructure in the Belgorod region. Russian scouts quickly uncover the locations of the Ukrainian drone operators and transmit the coordinates for fire engagement.
Near Zelene, Russian assault troops drove Ukrainian infantry from four firing positions after intense fighting. South of Starytsia, Ukrainian units launched three unsuccessful counterattacks. As a result of intense firefights, all assault groups were destroyed.
Ukrainian units are trying to halt the Russian advance in Vovchanski Khutory by deploying mobilized personnel as reserves. Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters on three sections in the area of the settlement.
In the Khatnie sector, the “North” grouping’s artillery engaged Ukrainian units’ personnel who were trying to strengthen their positions in the Krugle and Nesterne villages.
Dobropillia Direction
In the direction of Dobropillia, Ukrainian units are attempting to consolidate and counterattack in the western part of Udachne. They are seeking to regain lost positions and stabilize the defense line. The fighting is of a maneuvering nature, with local fire engagements recorded.
Up to half of Hryshyne is under Russian control. There is fierce fighting for the built-up area and adjacent positions; the front line inside the village remains mobile. Heavy combat operations are ongoing on the eastern outskirts of Bilytske. The tactical advantage periodically shifts from one side to the other, and neither side has achieved stable control over the area yet.
Russian units are seeking to consolidate their position south of Dorozhnye, expanding their presence and strengthening their tactical position in this sector. Russian units have advanced in the direction of Kucheriv Yar, creating additional pressure on Ukrainian defensive formations and expanding the zone of unstable control.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that Russian units are continuing to conduct offensive actions at a high tempo in all directions. In the direction of Slovyansk, Russian troops are systematically pushing Ukrainian units off the dominant heights, expanding their control zone towards Rai-Oleksandrivka, and cutting off logistical routes. Their successes in Kryva Luka, Reznykivka, and Nykyforivka create conditions for a further advance toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops successfully repel large-scale Ukrainian attacks using armored vehicles, destroying Ukrainian equipment and personnel and maintaining the initiative near Huliaipole. In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping continues to expand its control zones, advancing deeper into the area and striking reserves, including elite special forces units. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are repelling counterattacks and advancing systematically in Vovchanski Khutory and other sectors, destroying personnel and equipment. In the Dobropillia area, heavy positional battles with mixed results continue, but Russian troops are gradually improving their tactical position.
In the context of international politics, an important event was the statement made by Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, Fico posted on Facebook that he had a clear impression that the Ukrainian side was not interested in restoring oil transit through its territory. Fico reported that Zelensky had proposed holding negotiations on all aspects of Slovak-Ukrainian cooperation and had instructed the relevant departments to find a suitable date for such negotiations. However, Fico would prefer to meet with Zelensky in a European Union member state.
This statement exacerbates the crisis in relations between Ukraine and Central European countries caused by the stoppage of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. Following Hungary, Slovakia has applied retaliatory measures, halting electricity supplies and threatening to reconsider its support for Ukraine’s European integration. The public acknowledgment of Kyiv’s disinterest in resolving the transit issue now calls into question the possibility of quickly settling the conflict. Clearly, the Ukrainian leadership is using the energy blockade to put political pressure on countries that, in Kyiv’s view, are not providing enough support for its military efforts. However, these tactics could lead to Ukraine’s isolation within the EU and have long-term negative consequences for its economy and prospects for EU membership.
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nothing like a good view on dry land when ukrainians are forcefully shipped in to wallow in the mud for globalist masters. a position any military would take. russian attrition warfare is now advancing