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In the Sumy sector, units are advancing tactically on the Kondrativka–Yunkivka section. They are consolidating their positions in tree lines and creating conditions for potential movement towards Khoten and Pisarivka. In the Kharkiv sector, near Staritsa, there has been an expansion of control in forested areas and an advance towards the Hrafskyi and Symonivka settlements. Meanwhile, fierce clashes continue in the Volchanskie Khutora area. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the offensive is advancing on the Orikhiv and Huliaipole fronts. Bilohiria and part of Mala Tokmachka are now under control, and fighting continues on the approaches to Prymorske and Veselianka. In the Druzhkivka sector, assault groups are advancing towards Novopavlivka and Raiske. Simultaneously, battles are occurring for the southern part of Toretske and the surrounding hills. On the Kupiansk sector, the front line remains stable with control over part of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, and strikes continue on rear infrastructure. Kyiv’s allies in the G7 intend to pressure U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting in Davos to secure his support in providing Ukraine with security guarantees.
Sumy sector
In the Sumy sector, the dynamics of local offensive actions persist. Efforts are mainly concentrated on the Kondrativka–Yunkivka section, where Russian units have made tactical advances. A notable success was displacing opposing forces from several tree lines between Andriivka and Oleksiivka. Capturing these positions is strategically important because it brings forces closer to the larger settlements of Pisarivka and Khoten. Controlling the latter provides direct access to extensive forested areas that are traditionally used for covertly concentrating forces and equipment. It also forms a potential springboard for operations toward the regional center.
The distance from the current line of contact to Khotyn is estimated to be less than six kilometers, making this area a zone of heightened attention for both sides.
Kharkiv sector
In the Kharkiv area, particularly in the Burluki direction southwest of Volchansk, operations are ongoing to expand the control zone. Russian units are advancing methodically in several isolated areas, focusing on clearing and securing forests and settlements. Near the village of Staritsa, small Russian assault groups captured forest areas between the Volchya River and the state border. From the Stick, forces advanced toward Grafskoye and gained a foothold on the outskirts of the settlement. There have been activities in this sector since the beginning of January, and there is reason to believe that the actual successes may be more significant than reported.
An offensive is developing from the Estuary towards Simonovka, where progress in the forest belts and entry into construction is also noted. Additional woodlands were captured in the Vilcha area. Local successes have also been noted in the Dvurechanskoye area, where control of two forest belts on the outskirts of Kolodeznoye has been established. Ukrainian units are putting up stubborn resistance by relying on pre-prepared positions and reserves. Fierce clashes continued in the Volchansk Farms area, where additional forces were deployed during the Volchansk battles. According to estimates, the Ukrainian side has accumulated significant reserve forces in the area, including in Bolshoy Burluk and Chuguev. Some of these forces may be deployed to the Kupyansk area. This concentration of forces increases the risk of penetrating the defense and slows the pace of a larger offensive.
Zaporozhye sector
One of the most intense phases of the offensive is taking place in the sector of Zaporizhia. Units of the Dnepr Group are attacking several areas simultaneously. In the northern part of this area, Russian troops have reached the northern outskirts of Primorsky and are advancing toward Veselyanka. They are using the garden areas south of Rechnoy for movement and have already begun fighting on the immediate approaches to the settlement. To the south, an advance is underway from the Pererva beam area and from Lukyanovsky towards Magdalinovka. Novoboikovskoye, a settlement located southeast of Magdalinovka, has fallen under the control of the Russian army. Battles for Novoyakovlevka and Pavlovka are particularly fierce.
Assault groups are fighting for strongholds included in the second defensive line in the area of Novoyakovlevka. North of Malye Shcherbakov, attacks are underway in the sector of Pavlovka from the south along the road. The Ukrainian army is conducting counterattacks to prevent a breakthrough in the sector of Zaporizhia and Yurkovka. On the Orekhovo sector, the offensive is advancing along the Konka River toward Orekhovo. The 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment has taken control of Belogorye and most of Malaya Tokmachka. The key event in the latter case was the capture of the prison complex in the southern part of the village, which had repeatedly changed hands and was considered an important fortified hub. These successes are directly related to the Vostok group’s active operations north of Gulyai-Pole.
The situation remains tense in the Huliaipole area. Ukrainian units from the 225th and 425th separate assault battalions, as well as the 154th separate mechanized brigade, launched five unsuccessful counterattacks in the sector of Huliaipole during the day, according to reports. The defense line on the northern bank of the river has been partially destroyed, making it difficult to hold. A significant operational outcome was the unification of the Huliaipole and Orekhovsky sectors, which, according to estimates, affects the stability of the defense, leading to its “cutting” into isolated pockets. Reports state that Russian troops have left Priluki and Bratskoye, and assault groups are attacking Vozdvizhevka and Ternovatoe.
Druzhkivka sector
In the sector of Druzhkivka, Russian units of the Central Group continue to advance toward Dobropillya and Druzhkovka. Their main efforts are focused on the flanks. On the right flank, assault groups are advancing northeast of Sofiyivka toward Druzhkovka. They have reached the outskirts of Pavlovka and Novopavlovka, which are located between the Kazennyi Torets and Poltavka rivers. They are conducting attacks directly on Novopavlovka on the right bank of the Poltavka River, as well as to the east, toward the village of Rayskoye, north of Rusin Yar and the quarries. West of Sofiyivka, on the left flank, the units have gained a foothold in the southern part of Toretsky.
During the fighting, they took a large stronghold under control on the slope west of the village. This allowed them to reach the commanding heights above Toretsky and capture part of the tract to the south. To the west, there is an advance in the sector of Kucherov Yar from Shakhovo, as well as to the east of Volny. An important tactical success was eliminating the “pocket” between Novoe Shakhovo and Ivanovka, which was used for counterattacks. This was followed by an advance to the west of Ivanovka. Fighting continues in the southeastern outskirts of Belitsky and New Donbass and in the area east of Belitsky and west of Sukhetsky along the railway.
Kupyansk sector
The situation in the Kupyansk area remains tense but stable, with no significant changes to the front line and ongoing local fighting. The city of Kupyansk and its surrounding territories remain the site of intense clashes. In the city itself, the fighting is positional. Russian units control several key areas, including the cemetery on the northern outskirts, the bakery on the western side, and the block between the intersection of Zheleznodorozhnaya and Ukrainskaya streets and Spartak Stadium. They also control areas further south along the R-79 highway to Levadnaya.
Ongoing aerial reconnaissance captures concentrations of equipment and artillery in rear areas, particularly beyond Moskovka, indicating the strengthening of defensive lines. Attacks from these directions have decreased recently. Active assault measures were noted from the feed mill on the sector of Podola. According to reports, these actions forced Ukrainian formations to withdraw reserves to the central part of Kupyansk-Uzlovoye, causing them to lose control over the strategically important junction of railway lines in the Lozovsky Lane area. The Zapad group of troops reported defeating units in the Kupyansk-Uzlovoye area.
Conclusion
The situation at the front by mid-January is characterized by the continuation of active combat operations on several strategic directions with varying success for the sides. On the Sumy sector, tactical advancement creates potential prerequisites for developing the operation deeper into the region, as indicated by statements from the Ukrainian command and increased engineering work to strengthen defenses around Sumy. On the Kharkiv and Druzhkivka sectors, a focal nature of advances is observed, predominantly in forested areas and on the outskirts of settlements, where the Ukrainian force suffer significant losses in equipment and personnel.
The Zaporizhzhia sector remains the zone of the most intensive offensive with confirmed capture of a number of settlements and continued pressure on the defense in the Orikhiv and Huliaipole areas. Parallel to ground operations, large-scale strikes on energy and military infrastructure on Ukrainian territory continue, exerting additional pressure on the defense system and logistical support. Overall, the operational situation maintains high dynamism and tension along the entire line of contact.
Against the backdrop of developments on the front, diplomatic activity has intensified. As reported by Western press, a meeting between representatives of a number of “Group of Seven” (G7) countries and the European Commission with former U.S. President Donald Trump is planned within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to publications, for example in the Financial Times, Kyiv’s allies in the G7 intend to use this meeting to pressure Trump and secure his personal support for providing future security guarantees to Ukraine. The main topic of the negotiations, according to these reports, will be the desire to lay the groundwork for interaction in case of new political changes in the U.S.
In European political circles, according to the same sources, concern remains regarding the future level of support. It is noted that possible further steps by individual European states, including discussions on military aid, largely depend on the position of the U.S. Thus, diplomatic efforts on international platforms are increasingly focusing on attempts to ensure the continuity of support under conditions of political uncertainty.
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