File image.
In the direction of Slavyansk, units of the “South” grouping occupied Piskunovka and continued to fight in the vicinity of Rai-Aleksandrovka, increasing strikes on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. In the Kupyansk area, Russian forces advanced in the Kucherovka, Podoly, and Kurilovka directions in June, taking another part of the bridgehead east of the Oskol River. After nearly a year of fighting in Konstantinovka, assault groups are finishing the clearance of the city, and forward units are moving toward Alekseevo-Druzhkovka. In the Zaporozhye area, Russian forces are encircling Orekhov, advancing toward Novoandreevka and Novodanilovka. In the Sumy direction, the “North” assault forces advanced up to 500 meters in twelve sectors. In the Kharkiv direction, the 69th Guards Division captured Ukrainskoye. Against this backdrop, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Bratislava would not provide any military aid to Kyiv.
Slaviansk direction
Piskunovka, located west of Krivaya Luka, came under the control of Russian forces on the northern flank. Although the presence of Ukrainian forces remains in the vicinity, capturing strongpoints previously equipped in the chalk deposit massif, guardsmen of the 7th Motorized Rifle Brigade have raised flags throughout the village. Fighting continues in the area around the recently captured village of Rai-Aleksandrovka. Ukrainian units are attempting to prolong clashes in the nearby forests and are also holding a strongpoint west of the village. The situation here remains difficult.
Along with the increase in activity on the line of contact, Russian units have also increased the frequency of strikes on Nikolaevka and the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration as a whole. The Ukrainian command is saturating the cities with personnel and fortifications. In Kramatorsk, for example, razor wire barriers and concrete tetrahedrons have been installed in the middle of several streets. Due to the strikes on logistics, the Ukrainian side is in a race against time to move as many troops as possible into Slavyansk and other areas of the agglomeration. Losses during the delivery of cargo and personnel are increasing, and gas stations are burning throughout the frontline zone.
Konstantinovka direction
Units of the “South” grouping are capturing the remaining quarters of Konstantinovka amid heavy fighting. Since consolidating in the built-up area, Russian assault groups have methodically drawn into the urban environment, pushing Ukrainian units westward step by step. This success is largely due to the Ukrainian side’s thoughtful and consistent work on logistics. Fighting for Konstantinovka has lasted virtually a year; the first forward groups reached the outskirts in September 2025. It is expected that the full capture of Konstantinovka by Russian forces will be announced in July 2026.
Meanwhile, forward detachments are moving toward Alekseevo-Druzhkovka. Konstantinovka is the gateway to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Druzhkovka agglomeration. It is especially important as a bridgehead for advancing northwest through built-up areas into Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, Druzhkovka, and then Kramatorsk. The continued presence of Ukrainian forces in Krasnoye and on the outskirts of Chasov Yar slows the clearance of Konstantinovka somewhat.
Kupyansk direction
Russian troops captured another part of the bridgehead east of the Oskol River. In June, Russian units advanced in the Kucherovka and Podoly areas, near Kurilovka and the foundry ruins, and in several other sectors. However, the abundance of approaches and extensive forest areas still allow small groups to reach the eastern bank of the Oskol. The Ukrainian presence remains in the coastal zone, where attacks are conducted in Kupyansk Uzlovoy and to the south.
Overall, the situation for Russian forces on the right bank of the Oskol is developing quite favorably. This allows for increased activity in Kupyansk itself, where small groups continue to engage in combat in the northern part of the city. As the territory east of the river is cleared, Russian units will have the opportunity to regroup on a large scale and, if necessary, transfer some forces to other important areas under the “West” grouping’s control, where fierce fighting continues.
Zaporozhye direction
In the Orekhov sector, Russian forces continue to encircle Orekhov. From the Nesteryanka side, assault groups advanced toward Novoandreevka, encircling the western and southern approaches to the area. In Novodanilovka, the fighting has shifted to the center. Ukrainian units are pulling personnel back to Orekhov while, conversely, drone crews are increasing their activity and the intensity of their attacks. In Malaya Tokmachka, the gray zone has expanded to nearly the farthest western quarters. Ukrainian drone operators are operating from under Orekhov against Russian positions.
Sumy direction
Assault groups from the “North” military grouping are advancing deeper into the Sumy direction. They carried out strikes on concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in Sumy, Ulanovo, Khrapovshchina, Mogritsa, Novaya Sloboda, Sukhodol, and Luzhki. In the Shostka district, Russian assault forces are engaged in combat in Bachevsk and the surrounding area. In the Sumy district, advances were achieved in twelve sectors, reaching depths of up to 500 meters. Fighting continues in Pisarevka, Marino, Novaya Sech, Khoten, and the surrounding areas. In the Krasnopolie district, clashes are ongoing in forest areas.
Kharkiv direction
Units of the “North” group continue to expand the security zone in the Kharkiv direction. Assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the Kazachya Lopan area and the surrounding forests. In the Volchansk sector, the “North” assault units advanced eight segments up to 900 meters. There are ongoing firefights in the cemetery area of Losevka village, Zemlyanoy Yar, and the Volchansk district forests.
The 82nd and 83rd motorized rifle regiments of the 69th Guards Motorized Rifle Division of the “North” grouping overpowered Ukrainian forces and expelled the remaining units of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade from Ukrainskoye in the Volchansk district. They now have full control of the area. In the Velikiy Burluk area, Russian assault groups are engaged in firefights in the village of Petro Ivanovka and its surroundings, as well as in the forests near the villages of Budarki and Zemlyanki.
Conclusion
Around Slaviansk, Kupyansk, Konstantinovka, Zaporozhye, Sumy, and Kharkiv, Russian forces are systematically capturing positions and inflicting losses on Ukrainian troops. The capture of Piskunovka, coupled with ongoing clashes near Rai-Aleksandrovka, has widened the southern flank of the Seversky Donets. Meanwhile, the systematic clearance of the bridgehead east of the Oskol River near Kupyansk paves the way for redeploying troops to other areas. Fighting in Konstantinovka has lasted nearly a year, and the town may soon fall completely to Russian control, which would open the way to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Druzhkovka agglomeration. Increasing strikes on logistics and rear communications worsen the position of Ukrainian forces, forcing them to rush to replenish their reserves amid mounting losses.
Against this backdrop, Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, took a firm stance, stating that Bratislava would not contribute a single euro to military aid for Ukraine. “Slovakia is not going to, and will not, participate in any military aid to Ukraine. I say this extremely clearly: Slovakia will not give a single euro to finance the war in Ukraine,” he told journalists. He also said that he had informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in writing of the republic’s position. “I am among those prime ministers who prioritize peace over war,” he concluded. Thus, contradictions within the North Atlantic Alliance regarding the scale and duration of support for Kyiv are growing, adding political uncertainty to the operational difficulties Ukraine faces.
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