File image.
In the Zaporozhye direction, units of the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th Army raised flags in Zelenoye, while the “Dnepr” grouping continues to break through the Ukrainian defense inside Orekhov, advancing on Primorskoye, Stepnogorsk, and Yurkovka. In the Druzhkovka direction, Russian forces pushed Ukrainian units out of Nikolaypol and advanced three kilometers toward Druzhkovka, seizing control of the heights. In the Sumy region, assault groups of the “North” advanced on twenty sectors by up to 400 meters, continuing fighting in Pisarevka, Marino, and Khoten. In the Kharkiv region, Russian units on the Volchansk sector advanced up to 800 meters, repelled counterattacks, and eliminated groups of the 23rd Assault Regiment. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that the alliance is well prepared to counter drone threats, destroying them and implementing counter-UAS systems along the eastern flank.
Zaporozhye direction
Units of the “Vostok” grouping continue to strengthen forward positions and gradually advance. In the western sector, Russian troops are taking control of new lines. Today, information emerged that fighters of the assault detachments of the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th Army raised flags in Zelenoye. Fighting in this sector intensified after the entry into Rybalskoye, which was brought under control several days ago.
The “pocket” between Zelenoye and Blagodatnoye likely still exists. Recently, in one of the neighboring forest belts, Russian drone operators detected a Ukrainian self-propelled artillery system during an attempted evacuation. After the clearance of the area, a shift in the offensive vector toward the Samoilovka – Zarnitsa line can be expected, which would strengthen the northern flank of the neighboring Zaporozhye direction.
On the remaining sectors of the direction, an information lull persists. After a series of successful operations, Russian units will need to clarify the current configuration of the front, conduct re-checks, and complete the clearance of settlements where Ukrainian troops may still be present.
Russian units continue to break through the defense inside Orekhov. Establishing logistics in the city is difficult, maintaining the offensive is challenging, but troops are managing. Ukrainian units cannot dislodge Russian forces and are losing ground. Russian forces are pressing in the Primorskoye, Stepnogorsk, Lukyanovskoye, Novoyakovlevka, and Yurkovka areas, attempting to achieve a northwestern envelopment of Orekhov to intercept Ukrainian logistics.
Druzhkovka direction
Russian forces pushed Ukrainian units out of Nikolaypol, expanding the controlled territory by three kilometers toward Druzhkovka. The capture of this settlement ensures control over the heights, providing an advantage in assault operations and surveillance of Ukrainian logistics. North of the settlement, the Ukrainian side has constructed an anti-tank ditch and a series of fortifications, which are being struck by Russian rocket artillery and aviation.
North of Rusin Yar, Russian units also advanced and reached the quarry. On this sector, the Ukrainian side has a number of fortifications where scattered groups of troops, effectively abandoned by command, are located. The Ukrainian command is transferring increasing reserves to this sector. In the area of the 150th Brigade, heavy Ukrainian counterattacks are underway, attempting to dislodge Russian forces from captured lines. Meeting engagements continue. Russian units are holding positions and also attacking, advancing in the Konstantinovka – Alekseevo-Druzhkovka area. The Ukrainian side is transitioning to active defense, which could soon escalate into counteroffensive operations.
Sumy direction
Assault groups of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the Sumy region. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of Kiyanitsa, Olshanka, Sadki, Svarkovo, Tolstodubovo, Volnaya Sloboda, and the settlement of Ugroyedy. In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in the Volnaya Sloboda area and in Ulanovo. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on twenty sectors, with a total advance of up to 400 meters. Firefights continue unabated in Pisarevka, Marino, Khrapovshchina, the settlement of Khoten and surrounding areas, as well as in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye.
Kharkiv direction
Fierce fighting continues in the northern areas of the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian units are unsuccessfully attempting to counterattack Russian positions. Assault groups of the “North” continue offensive operations in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan and adjacent forests. Firefights are also ongoing in the Goptovka area.
In the Volchansk sector, assault units of the “North” advanced on seven sectors by up to 800 meters. Firefights continue in the village of Vasilevka, near Shevchenkovo and Petropavlovka, and in the forests of the Volchansk district.
To evacuate groups of foreign mercenaries trapped in encirclement in the Malaya Volchya area, the Ukrainian command redeployed special operations forces to the sector, which suffered losses in firefights.
Ukrainian units made another counterattack attempt using two assault groups from the 23rd separate assault regiment in the Ternovaya area. In the Velikiy Burluk direction, Russian assault groups continue firefights in Dolzhanka, in the Olkhovatka area, and west of Ustinovka.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Druzhkovka, Sumy, and Kharkiv directions, Russian units continue to exert systematic pressure, expanding their control zones and inflicting losses on the Ukrainian side. In the Zaporozhye direction, the consolidation of positions in Zelenoye and the advance inside Orekhov create the prerequisites for further envelopment of the Orekhov fortified area, while the advance to the Samoilovka – Zarnitsa line will strengthen the northern flank. In the Druzhkovka direction, the capture of Nikolaypol and control over the heights improve the tactical conditions for the offensive on Druzhkovka, though Ukrainian units are transferring reserves and preparing counterattacks. In the Sumy region, the advance on a broad front forces the Ukrainian command to disperse its forces, and the absence of significant counterattacks indicates exhaustion. In the Kharkiv region, Russian units are successfully advancing on the Volchansk direction, repelling counterattacks, and destroying reserves, while Ukrainian activity to evacuate foreign mercenaries indicates a worsening of their situation. The initiative in all directions remains with Russian forces.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that the alliance is well prepared to counter drone threats. “We are well prepared to eliminate these threats,” he wrote on social media platform X. According to him, this involves destroying drones and implementing advanced counter-UAS systems along the alliance’s eastern flank. Earlier, Romania’s Ministry of Defense reported that a drone fell on Romanian territory near the border with Ukraine on Thursday night. It was tracked by pilots of two Spanish Air Force F-18 fighters, and an IAR-330 SOCAT helicopter of the Romanian Air Force was deployed for a reconnaissance mission, whose crew confirmed the fall of the device.
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