Russian Army Clears Key Town Near Kostiantynivka

In the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian forces continue to attack along the Kamianske–Stepove–Shcherbaky line. They are using their drone superiority to amass troops in Stepnohirsk and advance southward. Meanwhile, the Orikhiv sector remains stable, with clashes occurring near Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, and Mala Tokmachka. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops have captured Kryva Luka and improved their tactical position near Dibrova. They are also fighting on the outskirts of Rai-Oleksandrivka and destroying Ukrainian positions in nearby forests. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops have increased their presence in Krasnyi Horodok. They have advanced to Tsiolkovskoho Street and Lomonosov Avenue. They have cleared Novodmytrivka and captured the southeastern part of Dovha Balka. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are expanding the security zone along the Vovcha and Siverskyi Donets rivers and advancing west of Chuhunivka and near Losevka. In the Sumy area, the “North” assault groups advanced 350 meters over the course of the day along seventeen sections and continued to fight in Kondrativka. An advance of 300 meters was also recorded in the Krasnopillia district. Johann Wadephul, the head of the German Foreign Office, stated that the “E-3” countries (Germany, France, and Great Britain) will attempt to resume negotiations on Ukraine.

Zaporizhzhia Direction

The situation in the Zaporizhzhia region remains alarming. Ukrainian units continue to attack the Kamianske–Stepove–Shcherbaky line in an attempt to push Russian troops back to their positions from early 2025. The Ukrainian side’s superiority in drones in this sector gives them the ability to attack and accumulate forces in Stepnohirsk and on equipped positions to the east. From there, small groups of Ukrainian troops infiltrate the southern area.

The Orikhiv sector remains stable. Fighting continues near Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, and Mala Tokmachka. There have been no reports of new assaults from these areas. These settlements are in ruins, and the areas around them are heavily mined.

In the eastern sector of the western Zaporizhzhia region, there is evidence that Russian units are advancing north of Lugovskoye, which was captured by the “East” group’s forces. Russian troops have captured several more tree lines and are gradually advancing, which could allow them to bypass Belogorye from the north later on.

Slaviansk Direction

The capture of Kryva Luka confirms assumptions about an improvement in the tactical situation around the Siverskyi Donets River. Shortly before the ceasefire was announced, Russian units attacked Pyskunivka. Then, it was officially announced that Kryva Luka, from which the attacks on Pyskunivka were launched, had been captured. There is no confirming footage yet, but there is practically no reason to doubt this information. Units of the “South” grouping operating in this area have been advancing successfully for some time.

Meanwhile, fighting continues on the approaches to Rai-Oleksandrivka. Russian units are improving their tactical position and destroying Ukrainian unit positions in strong points near the village and in adjacent forests.

In the Dibrova area, Russian units improved their tactical position after repelling Ukrainian counterattacks towards Fedorivka Druha. Russian assault groups now control several tree lines and the territory of the small settlement of Dibrova, which was captured a month ago but has since changed hands several times.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian units continue to counterattack in the vicinity of Minkivka. It is critically important for the Ukrainian side to keep Russian units behind the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal, and they are trying to do so. However, the Russian units are also in no hurry. Breaking through the front and beginning an assault on Slovyansk without first capturing Krasnyi Lyman would be extremely difficult. Therefore, units of the “South” and “West” groupings in the Lyman area must act in parallel.

Kostiantynivka Direction

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, units of the “South” grouping continue to advance on the western and eastern outskirts of the city and are fighting in the central district, around the railway station, and in the industrial zone.

Russian units have increased their presence in the Krasnyi Horodok area, reaching the Rekord stadium, Yuvileinyi park, and the first pond. Russian units have advanced from the “Sim Vitriv” and “Soniachnyi” districts to Tsiolkovskoho Street and Lomonosov Avenue. Russian assault groups have reached the western part of the “Yuzhnyi” and “Prohresyvnyi” microdistricts.

Fighting continues for the zinc plant in the industrial zone. Ukrainian units defending the areas south of “Tsynkovyi” risk being encircled if Russian units captured the zinc plant’s industrial zone.

On the eastern outskirts, Russian troops have taken Novodmytrivka and are clashing with Ukrainian forces in the forest towards Molocharka and the northern part of Kostiantynivka. West of Illinivka, Russian troops have captured the southeastern part of Dovha Balka and continue advancing on the right bank of the Lozova River to the north.

Kharkiv Direction

In the direction of Kharkiv, units of the “North” grouping are expanding the security zone near the state border. They are advancing along the Vovcha and Siverskyi Donets rivers and repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian units.

In the Vovcha area, clashes are ongoing on both banks northeast of Vovchanski Khutory. Russian assault units are engaged in fighting south and southeast of Pokaliane, moving towards Bilyi Kolodiaz. They are also fighting in Karaichne, Volokhivka, Chaikivka, and Okhrimivka. Additionally, they are fighting in the forest zone north of Okhrimivka, where Ukrainian units attempted to launch counterattacks from Mala Vovcha. These attacks have been repelled.

Northeast of there, Russian units are attacking from the state border (the Pishchane–Nesterne–Zemlianky line) on the other flank, advancing towards Mykolaivka and Varvarivka from Budarky.

Southeast of Chuhunivka, Russian units advanced towards Olkhovatka and Zarubynka. Fierce fighting continues in the Ambarnoye area.

South of Vovchansk, Russian troops advanced along the Siverskyi Donets River to the Polna River, east of Verkhnya Pysarivka, and are fighting on the western outskirts of Losevka. There, Russian troops are attempting to break through the Ukrainian fortified area covering the approaches to Bilyi Kolodiaz from the west.

To the west, along the Starytsia River, Russian units have advanced to the border of the Lyptsi sector in Izbitske. Between Izbitske and Verkhnya Pysarivka, Russian troops are attacking the forest.

Sumy Direction
In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance. Russian troops struck Ukrainian unit personnel and equipment concentrations in Ivolzhanske, Maryine, Kiyanytsia, Esman, Krasychka, Druzhba, Yampil, and Tolstodubove.

In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 350 meters along seventeen fronts. Firefights continue in Kondrativka and the surrounding area.

In the Krasnopillia district, Russian assault groups advanced up to 300 meters on seven sections in the vicinity of the captured settlements of Novodmytrivka and Taratutyne, as well as in forested areas near Riasne.

Conclusion

Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the western Zaporizhzhia area, Ukrainian forces, with their superior drone capabilities, are putting pressure on the Kamianske–Stepove–Shcherbaky line. They are trying to force Russian troops back to their positions from early 2025. Meanwhile, the Orikhiv sector remains stable. In the Slaviansk area, the capturing of Kryva Luka and the improvement of the tactical position near Dibrova created the conditions for a further advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal. However, a full-scale assault on Slaviansk without first capturing Lyman remains difficult. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops are systematically expanding their control of the urban area by clearing the outskirts and advancing toward key facilities. This creates a threat of encircling Ukrainian units in the industrial zone. In the Kharkiv and Sumy areas, Russian troops are expanding the security zone along water barriers. They are repelling counterattacks and gradually breaking through Ukrainian fortifications.

In the context of international politics, a notable event was a statement made by Johann Wadephul, the head of the German Foreign Office. In an interview with Welt am Sonntag, Wadephul reported that the E-3 countries (Germany, France, and Great Britain) plan to resume negotiations on Ukraine in the near future. Wadephul stated that, in the E-3 format, they will make a new attempt in the coming weeks and months to resume negotiations with a more significant role for Europe. He said that the E-3 is prepared to assume “more responsibility” regarding negotiations on Ukraine and is currently engaging in relevant discussions with the United States and Ukraine. This statement indicates European countries’ desire to intensify diplomatic efforts amid ongoing hostilities and mounting losses.

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