File image.
In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault groups advanced in fifteen sectors and engaged in combat in Bachevsk, Ulanovo, and the forests south of Ivolzhanskoye. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units advanced in the Kazachya Lopan area. In the Volchansk sector, they advanced 800 meters. Fighting continues in Yurchenkovo and Bely Kolodez. In the Slaviansk direction, clashes have spread to Markovo, Tikhonovka, and Malinovka, while the air force is striking targets in the Shchurovo area. In the Zaporozhye direction, “East” units destroyed sixteen Ukrainian assault groups in armored vehicles and pickup trucks over the past day. They continue to advance toward Lyubitskoye and consolidate their position west of Lesnoye and Kopani. Politically, Croatian President Zoran Milanović stated that Zagreb will not support the “coalition of the willing” regarding the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, calling the idea underdeveloped and dangerous.
Sumy direction
The “North” grouping of forces’ assault groups continued to advance deeper into the Sumy direction. They carried out strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in several areas. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat directly in Bachevsk and its surrounding areas, as well as in the Ulanovo area.
In the Sumy district, the advance reached fifteen sectors with a depth of up to 300 meters. Unabated firefights continue in Ryzhevka, Pisarevka, Marino, Novaya Sech village, Khoten settlement, and adjacent territories. There is also ongoing fighting in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye. In the Krasnopolie district, clashes are ongoing in the forest. Thus, offensive operations in the Sumy area are systematic, forcing the Ukrainian side to maintain a broad front and expend reserves.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continued to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in several areas. Russian assault groups conducted offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan settlement and adjacent forest areas, advancing 500 meters over the past day. In the Volchansk sector, the “North” assault units advanced on twelve fronts, advancing a total of 800 meters.
There are ongoing firefights in the village of Yurchenkovo, the Bely Kolodez settlement, and the Volchansk district forests. In the direction of Velikiy Burluk, Russian assault groups continued to engage in firefights in the village of Petro Ivanovka and its surroundings, as well as in forest areas near the villages of Shevyakovka, Budarki, and Zemlyanki. These advances demonstrate the Russian command’s intention to maintain a high tempo of offensive operations and prevent Ukrainian forces from stabilizing the line of contact.
Slaviansk direction
In the Markovo area, Russian units advanced, effectively transitioning this settlement into a gray zone. Currently, neither side has stable control, and combat engagements are taking place within the village. If they consolidate their position successfully, they could use this sector to develop further offensive operations towards Fyodorovka.
The situation remains difficult in the Tikhonovka area. This area is also contested, with neither side having full control yet. The main struggle is for advantageous positions that allow one to hold the approaches and adjacent terrain sectors under control. The situation in Malinovka is equally tense. The central and eastern parts of this settlement are partially controlled by Russian units or are in the zone of intense hostilities.
In the Krasny Liman sector of the front in the Shchurovo area, Russian aviation is using aerial bombs against pre-identified targets. The nature of the strikes indicates the presence of a stable reconnaissance strike complex that identifies areas where Ukrainian forces are concentrated and delivers powerful strikes against them. This suggests that Russian forces are continuing to put pressure on Ukrainian positions along the entire Slavyansk direction in an attempt to breach the defense and create conditions for a further advance.
Zaporozhye direction
Units of the “East” force grouping continued to consolidate their positions along the northern and western lines of capturing in the Zaporozhye direction. The Ukrainian side is attempting to launch a counterattack in the northern sector; local reports indicate the use of large-caliber artillery against concentrations of Ukrainian forces. Tense combat engagements are ongoing in the northern sector, where Russian units continue to hold their positions. Troops from the Far East continue to destroy Ukrainian equipment and personnel. Over the past day, 16 Ukrainian assault groups on armored personnel carriers, four armored fighting vehicles, and 11 pickup trucks were detected and destroyed in this sector.
In the western sector, units of the “East” grouping hold captured positions west of Lesnoye, Rovnoye, Kopani, and Novoselovka. In recent days, advances have been achieved south of Kopani on the southern flank. The main fighting is taking place between Lyubitskoye and Gulyaypolskoye. Russian forces are approaching the defensive line that Ukrainian units built at the end of last year. Fighting for Lyubitskoye continues. Once this area is fully captured, it will breach the defense along the western outskirts. The last serious strongpoint in the Dolinka area also remains to be suppressed. Once that is accomplished, the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces behind the first defense line will become virtually inevitable. This will create new opportunities for advancing the offensive.
Conclusion
In the Sumy, Kharkiv, Slavyansk, and Zaporozhye directions, Russian forces are steadily increasing pressure. In the Sumy direction, they are advancing on a broad front. Fighting is ongoing for key settlements and forest areas, which is forcing the Ukrainian command to disperse its forces. In the Kharkiv direction, offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan, Volchansk, and Velikiy Burluk districts are expanding the security zone and threatening Ukrainian defensive positions. In the Slaviansk direction, maneuver warfare in Markovo, Tikhonovka, and Malinovka is gradually wearing down Ukrainian reserves. Airstrikes on Shchurovo are undermining logistics. In the Zaporozhye direction, the destruction of significant numbers of assault groups and equipment, as well as advances toward Lyubitskoye and Dolinka, are bringing the breakthrough of Ukrainian defensive lines closer. Russian forces hold the initiative in all of the aforementioned areas, and Ukrainian units continue to suffer losses and attrition.
The political discussion surrounding the conflict was supplemented by a statement from Croatian President Zoran Milanović. He sharply criticized the concept of a “coalition of the willing” regarding the Western military presence in Ukraine after hostilities cease. Milanović called this idea “very dangerous, underdeveloped, unreliable.” Speaking on Croatian Radio and Television, Milanović emphasized that Croatia will not support such initiatives or participate in this coalition. He added: “This means we are not in the ‘coalition of the willing.’ I have said this before, although no one asked me.” The Croatian president’s position reflects ongoing disagreements within NATO and the EU about possible post-conflict settlement formats and Western countries’ involvement in them.
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