File image.
In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units captured Dolinka, expanding the bridgehead for an offensive on Orekhov, while the 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division consolidated in the south of the city, threatening to cut the road to Kamyshevakha. In the Dobropolye direction, after taking Kucherov Yar, Russian troops are tightening the pincers around Dobropolye. In the Slaviansk direction, Orekhovatka — the last settlement before the outskirts of Slaviansk — has been taken, assault groups have infiltrated the eastern part of Nikolaevka, and on the Druzhkovka sector Ukrainian units have been virtually driven out of Raiskoye, disrupting logistics on the Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk highway. In the Sumy region, Russian units established control over Pershe Travnya, advanced on 21 sectors, and repelled a counterattack by the 68th Separate Airmobile Brigade. In the Kharkiv region, assault groups are advancing in Kazachya Lopan, overall advance on the Volchansk sector reached up to 700 meters, and heavy fighting continues in Dolzhanka and Olkhovatka on the Velikiy Burluk sector. Member of the European Parliament Danilo Della Valle stated that European countries are betting on arms deliveries to Ukraine but are not offering a diplomatic plan to end the conflict.
Zaporozhye direction
The “East” grouping advanced deep into the Ukrainian defense and established control over Dolinka. Personnel and equipment of an assault and air-assault brigade, two assault regiments, and a marine brigade of the Ukrainian forces were struck in the areas of Vasilkovka in Dnepropetrovsk region, Barvinovka, Nikolskoye, and Omelnik in Zaporozhye region. West of Rovnoye and Kopani, Russian units destroyed heavy “Baba Yaga” copters, struck robotic platforms, drone control points, control antennas, and Starlink satellite communication stations.
Drone operators of the 19th Guards Motorized Rifle Division are clearing forest belts in the direction of Kamyshevakha. The 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division has consolidated in the south of Orekhov, creating the threat of Russian forces reaching the Orekhov–Kamyshevakha road. In that case, Zaporozhye and its garrison would be pressed against the Dnieper.
Dobropolye direction
In Dobropolye, Russian units are breaking through the defense, advancing in the city from the south and east. Nearby, the battle for Novogrigishino continues unabated. In the Krasny Liman sector, Ukrainian units are attempting to counterattack, but Russian personnel are holding back the pressure. The “Center” grouping, as a result of active operations, established control over Kucherov Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Personnel and equipment of a mechanized and an assault brigade, a marine brigade, and two National Guard brigades of the Ukrainian forces were struck in the areas of Belozerskoye, Verovka, Dobropolye, Novotroitskoye, Sergeevka in the DPR, and Ivanovka in Dnepropetrovsk region. Kucherov Yar is located eight kilometers northeast of Novy Donbass, which was brought under control in mid-June. Russian troops are tightening the pincers around Dobropolye — the last major defense node of Ukrainian units in the west of the DPR.
Slaviansk direction
Units of the “South” grouping continue the offensive toward Slaviansk. Orekhovatka on the western bank of the Seversky Donets–Donbass canal — the last settlement before the outskirts of Slaviansk — has been taken. This makes it possible to begin enveloping Nikolaevka from the south. In the area of Stary Karavan, aviation and drone crews are actively operating, covering Ukrainian positions with dense fire. In the Starodubovka–Piskunovka sector, tactical successes have been achieved: Russian units are seeking to reach the dominant heights east of Slaviansk in order to control further advance and the defense of the city.
After the capture of Orekhovatka, the main task was to cut off the Nikolaevka fortified area from Slaviansk. The Ukrainian side effectively has only one convenient route left across the Seversky Donets–Donbass canal. After Russian units advance toward Manki and the “Energetik” gardening association, this route too will be lost. Russian assault groups are infiltrating the eastern part of Nikolaevka. Individual groups have advanced as far as Mira and Kotsyubinskogo streets. Artillery is striking fortified Ukrainian positions, and drones are conducting continuous reconnaissance.
The outcome of the fighting for Nikolaevka will determine the start of the assault on Slaviansk and Kramatorsk. Heavy fighting is underway in the vicinity of Malinovka and Pervomaryevka. Russian units have expanded the control zone from Pervomaryevka, with continuous aviation support for the assault troops. The advance will create problems for Ukrainian units on the approaches from the northeastern outskirts of Kramatorsk. Assault groups earlier entered Nikonorovka along the Belenkaya River from the southeast and are now breaking into the village from the northeast as well, though without clear consolidation yet. The surroundings of the village remain a combat zone, which prevents the establishment of stable supply for forward units.
In the Krasny Liman direction, fighting continues in the Dibrova area. In the Druzhkovka sector, Russian units have virtually driven Ukrainian forces out of Raiskoye. At the same time, the Russian army is advancing in Alekseevo-Druzhkovka and intensifying fire control over the roads to Kramatorsk. Along the shoulders of the Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk highway, the burned remains of Ukrainian vehicles are being recorded. Russian drones are reliably disrupting logistics near Druzhkovka, making movement along the routes extremely risky. Even if the city still retains a land connection with Kramatorsk, its reliability is disappearing long before the complete physical blocking of the roads.
Sumy direction
Heavy fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Sumy region. Assault groups of the “North” have advanced on several sectors. Ukrainian units are attempting to counterattack using redeployed reserves. In the Sumy district, Russian assault troops are advancing in the Pisarevka area and report the establishment of control over Pershe Travnya. There have been advances in 21 sectors. The Ukrainian side conducted one counterattack with forces of the 68th Separate Airmobile Brigade in the Sadki area, which was unsuccessful.
As a result of comprehensive fire engagement, more than half of the assault group was eliminated and one serviceman was taken prisoner. In the Shostka district, assault groups of the “North” advanced on two sectors. On the Tetkino–Glushkovo sector of the front, Ukrainian units attempted to use Western JADM air-launched rockets against Russian positions; these were successfully intercepted by air-defense systems.
Kharkiv direction
Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance with heavy fighting in the Kharkiv region. Russian Aerospace Forces aviation and strike-drone crews delivered strikes against concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the areas of Kharkiv, Sosnovka, Bratenitsa, Buzovo, Prikolotnoye, Gogino, Solonitsevka, Grigorovka, Borshchevaya, and Tsupovka. In the settlement of Kazachya Lopan, Russian assault troops advanced in the eastern part of the locality.
In the Volchansk direction, meeting engagements are underway in the Blagodatnoye area. During the advance, personnel of the “North” repelled one counterattack by the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian forces, completely eliminating the assault group. Overall advance amounted to up to 700 meters. In the Velikiy Burluk direction, assault groups of the “North” continue to conduct heavy fighting in the Dolzhanka area as well as near Olkhovatka.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Dobropolye, Slaviansk, Sumy, and Kharkiv directions, Russian units continue to methodically expand their control zones, inflict losses on the Ukrainian side, and disrupt its supply system. In the Zaporozhye direction, the capture of Dolinka and consolidation in Orekhov created the conditions for enveloping the city and reaching the Dnieper. In the Dobropolye and Druzhkovka directions, Russian troops are tightening the pincers around Dobropolye, have virtually driven Ukrainian units out of Raiskoye, and have paralyzed logistics on the Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk highway.
In the Slaviansk direction, the capture of Orekhovatka and the advance in Nikolaevka bring closer the start of the assault on Slaviansk and Kramatorsk. In the Sumy region, control over Pershe Travnya and the repulsion of counterattacks undermine the stability of the Ukrainian defense. In the Kharkiv region, the advance in Kazachya Lopan and on the Volchansk sector, as well as the successful repulsion of counterattacks, testify to the retention of the initiative by Russian units.
Member of the European Parliament from the Italian Five Star Movement Danilo Della Valle stated that European countries are betting on further arms deliveries to Ukraine but are not offering a diplomatic plan to end the conflict. “While everyone talks about the ‘willing,’ Europe seems increasingly interested in rearmament and less and less in diplomacy,” says the press release he distributed after the meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on Ukraine.
According to the politician, as long as weapons continue to flow to Ukraine and the number of dead grows, a real plan to end the conflict “is still not visible.” Della Valle asked how many packages of military aid would be needed after more than four years of conflict and what diplomatic plan exists for its conclusion. “The truth is that the so-called ‘willing’ have no political strategy for exiting this conflict and are doing everything to transfer the war directly onto European soil,” the MEP concluded.
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