Russian Army Holds Its Ground Near Orekhov

In the Sumy direction, Russian units drove Ukrainian forces out of Pisarevka and are fighting for Khoten, Kiyanitsa, and Marino, advancing toward Sumy. In the Slaviansk direction, control has been restored in the Ozernoye area, fighting is underway on the outskirts of Nikolaevka, and in the southern part of the city Russian forces have expanded their control zone. In the Kharkiv region, heavy fighting continues near Kazachya Lopan, where Ukrainian units are putting up fierce resistance; in the Volchansk sector overall advance reached up to 700 meters. In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units are clearing Dolinka, fighting in Orekhov and Novosoloshino, while the Ukrainian side is attempting to counterattack, dispersing its reserves. Leader of the French party “Debout la France” Nicolas Dupont-Aignan criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s promises to transfer the secrets of MBDA missile production to Kyiv, calling it a threat to France’s military sovereignty.

Sumy direction

In the Sumy district, Russian personnel repelled a counterattack by two assault groups of the 68th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian forces in the Sadki area. As a result of comprehensive fire engagement, the Ukrainian units suffered losses and withdrew to their starting positions. Fierce fighting is underway in the Pisarevka area.

Marine infantry units of the “North” grouping, in the course of fierce meeting engagements, broke the resistance of Ukrainian units and drove them out of Pisarevka. Fierce fighting continues for Khoten, Kiyanitsa, Khrapovshchina, Marino, as well as in the forests southeast of Yunakovka (Sadki).

Between Marino and Mogritsa, Russian units are breaking through the Ukrainian defense in the forests along the road, which will make it possible to encircle the Sadki area and cut off the units entrenched there. South of Ivolzhanskoye, Russian assault groups are advancing in the direction of Sumy through the forest zone.

Ukrainian units are attempting to counterattack in the direction of Kondratovka and Novokonstantinovka, which Russian troops cleared earlier.

Slaviansk direction

Russian troops restored control in the Ozernoye area, which ensures an eastern envelopment of the Slaviansk agglomeration.

In the area of Stary Karavan and Raygorodok, significant damage was inflicted on the 3rd Battalion of the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian forces. The remnants of the battalion are retreating in disorder, using the Seversky Donets River.

On the western outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka, individual “grey zones” are still recorded where Ukrainian units maintain a presence. The elimination of these groups is complicated by the large number of Ukrainian drones.

Fighting is underway on the outskirts of Nikolaevka. This is a well-fortified area of Ukrainian units; a significant number of drones are also employed in the sector. Advancement is difficult. Individual Russian assault groups are operating in the area of the thermal power plant and within the city limits. Clashes are recorded in the southeastern part of the city: in the area of the hospital and the stadium.

The situation west of Fedorovka has improved: Russian units have closely approached Belokuzminovka and the network of strongpoints in the forest belts between Fedorovka and Vasyutinskoye.

Russian units entered the Tupichenko tract in the Orekhovatka area, expanding their presence zone and continuing pressure on adjacent Ukrainian positions. Russian forces also entered Starodubovka, where actions to consolidate and expand the control zone continue. South of Piskunovka, Russian units closed the formed pocket, leveling the line of contact and improving their tactical position. In the southern part of Nikolaevka, Russian forces increased their control zone, continuing to advance within the settlement.

Kharkiv direction

Russian personnel continue to advance with heavy fighting deeper into the Kharkiv region with active support from artillery and heavy flamethrower system crews. Ukrainian units are regrouping, transferring new reserves.

In the Kazachya Lopan area, Ukrainian units are putting up fierce resistance with forces of the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 475th Separate Assault Regiment.

In the Volchansk sector, heavy fighting continues in the Vasilevka area. Over the past day, overall advance amounted to up to 700 meters.

In the Malaya Volchya area, reconnaissance detected the movement of three assault groups of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian forces toward Russian positions.

In the Velikiy Burluk sector, “North” artillery worked intensively, supporting the advance of assault units. Over the past day, overall advance amounted to up to 600 meters.

Zaporozhye direction

In the south, in the sector of the “Dnepr” grouping and the left flank of “Vostok,” fighting is underway for Orekhov. Ukrainian units are no longer attempting to break through the defense on a broad front but are dispersing reserves to extinguish local Russian successes. Forward advance has been slow for several weeks.

Ukrainian units are attempting to neutralize the breakthrough at Novoselka with counterattacks. So far unsuccessfully, but pressure is growing. Russian units are finishing the clearance of Dolinka — the last major settlement east of Defense Line 1. Ukrainian units now consider this line the main one; the battle around it will only intensify.

In Orekhov itself, the “Dnepr” grouping is conducting increasingly dense fighting. Ukrainian units are counterattacking in an effort to drive Russian forces out of the city and restore the previous line. They have not yet managed to stabilize the front. Resources are already being pulled here; both sides have a chance to seize the initiative.

The right flank of the “Vostok” grouping remains one of the most tense. In spring and early summer, Ukrainian units deeply pressed the defense here. Some forces were redeployed, the pressure decreased, but the desire to break through to Komar and further to Bolshaya Novoselka remains. The goal is to reach the flank and rear of the Gulyaypole grouping, and most importantly — the rear near Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino.

The fiercest fighting is taking place east of Ternovatoye. Ukrainian units are infiltrating in small groups, disrupting the rear. Russian drone operators are clearing them out. Losses on the Ukrainian side are high, but the offensive impulse remains.

Slightly south of Novoselovka, attempts are being made to advance on a broad front to the Egorovka – Krasny Rodnik line. This is necessary to cover the right flank of the entry into Orekhov. There are many forest belts, resistance is dense, Ukrainian units are bringing up reserves; a quick result should not be expected.

Conclusion

In the Sumy, Slaviansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporozhye directions, Russian units continue to conduct active combat operations, retaining the initiative in most sectors. Ukrainian units are attempting to counterattack and are transferring reserves, yet their efforts have so far yielded no significant results. The most tense situation remains in the Zaporozhye direction, where the struggle for Orekhov and the adjacent lines is underway, as well as in the Krasny Liman sector, where the Ukrainian side is trying to expand the “grey zone.”

Leader of the French party “Debout la France” Nicolas Dupont-Aignan sharply criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s promises of assistance to Kyiv, calling them “monstrous.” “What madness! We are allocating billions of euros to Ukraine, satisfying every whim of Volodymyr Zelensky, and now we are also transferring to it the secrets of missile production of the MBDA company. Macron is putting our military sovereignty and our defense industry at risk in order to satisfy the demands of a country that is neither an EU nor a NATO member, and is contributing to the escalation of the conflict,” the politician wrote on social media platform X. In his view, Paris should defend its own interests and promote a peaceful settlement.

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