File image.
In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian units resumed activity in the confluence of the Verkhnia Tersa and Haichur rivers. They established logistics and expanded their control zone along the Vovshebne–Lugovskoye line. The Russians also formed a perimeter to bypass Mala Tokmachka from the north. In the Sumy area, Russian assault groups advanced 500 meters and captured two servicemen from the 104th Territorial Defense Brigade. They are currently engaged in combat in Ivolzhanske, Pisarivka, and the area between Lisne and Taratutyne. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops captured the villages of Karaichne and Budarky. They advanced up to 800 meters in the Vovchansk sector and up to 1,000 meters in the Velykyi Burluk sector and continued to clear the forested areas. In the Slovyansk area, Russian troops continue to clear Zakotne and Kryva Luka, developing an offensive on Rai-Oleksandrivka from several directions. In the Krasnyi Lyman area, Russian troops have advanced between Stavky and Krasnyi Lyman. Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, stated that the United States wants Ukraine to be able to defend itself but did not directly guarantee an increase in Patriot missile supplies.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
Fierce clashes continue on the northern flank of the Zaporizhzhia direction. Both Ukrainian and Russian units are employing small-group tactics. Following a lull in April and the establishment of logistics, Russian troops have become active again and are attempting to advance in the confluence of the Verkhnia Tersa and Haichur.
In the north, there is evidence of Ukrainian units on the outskirts of Ternovate. It is unclear whether these were infiltration groups or the result of a counterattack with armored vehicles. The route they took to reach the outskirts of the village is also unknown. Ukrainian unit positions were hit by drone strikes from one of the recently formed unmanned systems regiments.
Clashes between small infantry groups continue on the Rozhdestvenske–Vozdvizhevka–Verkhnia Tersa line. Russian units have yet to close several tactical “pockets” that arose from fighting over settlements, straighten the front line, and advance further west.
In the Huliaipilske area on the southern flank, Russian units are expanding their control zone. Local successes have been noted on the Vovshebne–Lugovskoye line. There, assault groups have advanced up to two kilometers in several areas and are bypassing Belogorye. Consequently, Russian units are forming a perimeter to bypass Mala Tokmachka from the north. Further successes in this sector will enable the bypassing of the Ukrainian side’s main defense lines from the rear, simplifying their subsequent clearance. However, the pace of the Russian offensive will likely be affected by logistical problems caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on southern Novorossiya roads.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance.
In the Shostka district, Russian assault units advanced 100 meters into the Bachivsk area. Interrogation of prisoners previously captured in the Ulanovo area revealed that the Ukrainian side is attaching servicemen from the 5th Border Detachment to the 101st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade.
In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced up to 500 meters along twelve fronts. There are ongoing firefights in Ivolzhanske, Pisarivka, and the surrounding area.
In the Krasnopillia district, fighting continues between Lisne and Taratutyne. The Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense crews of the “North” grouping attacked the positions of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of Ukrainian units with heavy flamethrower systems.
Kharkiv Direction
In the Kharkiv area, the “North” grouping’s assault units continue to expand the security zone.
In the Hranove and Veterynarne areas, Russian assault groups are clearing forested areas. In the Vovchansk area, the “North” grouping’s assault units advanced up to 800 meters along eight fronts. The 127th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 71st Guards Motorized Rifle Division overcame resistance and expelled the remaining Ukrainian servicemen from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade in Karaichne, thereby establishing control over the settlement. Additionally, Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights in Okhrimivka and the forested areas of the Vovchansk district.
In the Velykyi Burluk area, Russian troops advanced about 1,000 meters northwest of the Kupyansk district. During fierce fighting, assault units of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Army pushed Ukrainian units of the 1st Border Detachment out of Budarky, in the northeastern part of the Vovchansk district, and established control over the settlement.
Slaviansk Direction
In the direction of Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, two of the largest fortified areas of the Ukrainian army in Donbas, the Russian army continues to advance. Small groups of Russian troops have been spotted near these cities. The main pressure is currently concentrated in the Rai-Oleksandrivka area.
Russian troops are continuing to clear Zakotne and Kryva Luka. Scattered groups of Ukrainian troops who refuse to surrender are being destroyed during the clashes. In the Siversk sector, clashes are ongoing to the south and east of Rai-Oleksandrivka; tactical successes have been noted near Pyskunivka.
The offensive on Rai-Oleksandrivka is developing from several directions simultaneously. Meanwhile, Russian aviation is striking Mykolaivka, an important logistical hub through which Ukrainian units supply their forces in the eastern sector. The gradual destruction of transport infrastructure and depots is significantly complicating the supply of Ukrainian forces in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
In the Krasnyi Lyman sector, Russian units have advanced far between Stavky and Krasnyi Lyman. East of the road, Ukrainian units hold several large strongpoints that Russian units are trying to suppress with artillery and aviation. South of Krasnyi Lyman, Ukrainian forces are counterattacking from Holube Ozero. In turn, Russian troops are advancing along tree lines towards Shchurove.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates the persistence of high-intensity combat operations in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian units have resumed activity after a lull and are achieving local successes on the southern flank. They are forming a contour to bypass Mala Tokmachka from the north, which will ultimately allow them to bypass the Ukrainian defense lines. In the Sumy area, the “North” group continues to advance systematically, putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses in Ivolzhanske, Pisarivka, and the Krasnopillia district. In the Kharkiv area, the capturing of Karaichne and Budarky, as well as advances in the Vovchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors, have expanded the southern Vovcha bridgehead and created conditions for further advances towards Bilyi Kolodiaz. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops are advancing closer to the key defensive lines of the Slaviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration by clearing Zakotne and Kryva Luka, advancing towards Rai-Oleksandrivka from several directions, and striking the logistical hub in Mykolaivka.
In the context of international politics, Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, made an important statement. While visiting the “Shangri-La Dialogue” forum in Singapore, Hegseth was asked about Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to increase supplies of missiles for the Patriot air defense system. He stated that the United States wants Ukraine to be able to defend itself and will find a way to help, though he did not directly guarantee an increase in supplies. Zelensky previously wrote letters to President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress requesting an increase in air defense systems and missiles due to the growing shortage of ammunition in Ukrainian units. This statement demonstrates Washington’s continued caution regarding the expansion of military aid despite public appeals from Kyiv.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com