The Fall Of Vovchansk: Russian Troops Entrench Themselves In Depth Of Ukraine’s Defenses 

The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed its control over Ivanopolye. In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units have begun mop-up operations after taking control of Vovchansk. Meanwhile, negotiations between Russian and American delegations regarding the updated U.S. administration’s peace plan have begun in Abu Dhabi.

Konstantinovka Sector

Russian units have captured Ivanopolye in the Konstantinovka sector. Earlier, on November 21, visual confirmation of Ukrainian troops in the area emerged, but the footage was apparently related to a counterattack attempt. 

Ukrainian forces attempted to regain control by advancing from Konstantinovka and Berestok and using prepared defensive structures. Individual groups remain in Pleshcheevka, and mopping-up operations continue in Nelepovka. These operations created additional complications during the battle in Ivanopolye.

West of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, units are advancing north from Yablonovka along the highway towards Konstantinovka. The main direction of movement is towards Berestok. North of Aleksandro-Kalinovo, control has been established over a fortified strongpoint on high ground near the highway leading to the “Post GAI” fortified area after prolonged fighting.

After consolidating and establishing supply lines, conditions are being created to develop an offensive on the southern outskirts of Konstantinovka. There was a delay between the initial appearance of visual confirmations and official statements, which was due to the need to repel counterattacks and consolidate the achieved lines.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

Units of the «East» grouping have finished clearing the area between Zatishye, Yablokovo, and Veseloye. The 127th Division advanced toward Huliaipole and established control over several strongpoints.

A full-scale assault within the city limits of Huliaipole has not yet begun. The units are tasked with clearing the areas around Zelenyi Hai and Vysoke, which have tactically important elevated positions. Clashes continue on the Rovnopolye-Sladkoye line, with notable attempts to organize a defense further west on the Dobropillia-Varvarkovka line.

In the Radostnoye-Orestopol sector, units are consolidating their positions and repelling counterattack attempts. Aviation and drone operators are targeting supply routes and positions in the Huliaipole area.

Kharkiv Sector

In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units from the «North» grouping have completed the capture of Vovchansk. Mopping-up operations in the urban territory, demining, and consolidation of the new positions are currently underway.

In the Tatarskiy Les forest, units are advancing towards the Prilepka settlement. Meanwhile, combat operations are ongoing in the outskirts of Lyman, and attacks are being carried out on positions in the Vilcha area.

There are ongoing combat clashes in the Volchya River area, especially near the Vovchanskie Khutora and Zybino settlements, where there has been an attempt to organize a defense on the natural water barrier.

In the Velikiy Burluk sector, mopping-up operations between Dvurechanskoye and Kamenka have concluded. Units are advancing southward, attacking positions in Grigorovka and Kolodeznoye. Conditions have been created for further advancement toward Stary Saltov, where an important Seversky Donets crossing is located.

In southern Vovchansk, units have consolidated control of the private sector and key streets. Mopping-up operations to clear the forested area west of the Sinelnikovo settlement continue.

Sumy Sector

In the Sumy sector, assault units are continuing to advance through a series of tree lines. The total advance in the offensive sectors was 600 meters. In the Andreyevka and Varachino areas, units were decimated by fire of the units of the Ukrainian 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 71st Separate Jäger Brigade.

The 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade has received personnel reinforcements. Russian artillery continues to strike areas where Ukrainian units are concentrated in the Ryzhevka area.

Conclusion

As of November 24, the operational situation in the main sectors is characterized by the continuation of offensive actions by Russian units. In the Konstantinovka sector, establishing control over Ivanopolye and advancing along the highway towards Konstantinovka creates conditions for developing the offensive in the direction of the city. Completing mopping-up operations in Nelepovka and consolidating the achieved lines will stabilize the front.

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, completing operations in Zatishye and establishing control over strongpoints on the approaches to Huliaipole creates prerequisites for advancing the offensive. Ongoing battles along the Rovnopolye-Sladkoye line and the repulsion of counterattacks in the Radostnoye area indicate attempts to stabilize defenses.

In the Kharkiv sector, advances in Vovchansk and the clearing of forested areas south of the city allow for the development of an offensive toward the Stary Saltov crossing. In the Sumy sector, methodical advancement through tree lines is taking place as more counterattacks are getting repelled. Overall, the dynamics indicate that Russian units retain the operational initiative amid Ukrainian attempts to organize defenses in various sectors of the front.

According to data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the city of Vovchansk is now fully under the control of the «North» group. Following the official statement about the completion of the operation, major combat actions within the city limits ceased, and mopping-up operations and demining work began. The operation’s success was ensured by the tactical encirclement of the city, which created conditions for blockading the group; superior firepower, with the extensive use of artillery, aviation, and drones; and control over logistical routes towards Stary Saltov.

Despite the remaining risks of counterattacks from the southern and southwestern directions, possible activity by sabotage groups in the destroyed urban and forested areas, and difficulties in fully clearing the territory, the chances of consolidating the success are assessed as high. Capturing Vovchansk creates tactical advantages for advancing the offensive toward the crossing near Stary Saltov and demonstrates progress in carrying out operational plans in the Kharkiv sector.

Alongside the development of hostilities, the diplomatic process has intensified. According to Politico, Axios, Reuters, CBS News, and the Financial Times, negotiations between Russian and American delegations regarding the updated U.S. administration’s peace plan have begun in Abu Dhabi. The U.S. delegation is headed by Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, who was appointed as the new special representative of the American president for Ukraine. The negotiations continued on November 25 as well.

According to Axios, a Ukrainian delegation led by Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, is in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The delegation is maintaining direct contact with American and Russian representatives. The heads of the Ukrainian and Russian military intelligence agencies were reportedly supposed to meet in Abu Dhabi for a different reason, so Driscoll’s arrival was unexpected.

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