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Today, we will discuss the most interesting developments along the front line, focusing on Sumy, Lyman, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk.
In the Sumy sector, Ukrainian forces are steadily pushing Russian troops back across the border, clearing contested settlements and establishing roughly a one-kilometer grey zone inside Russian territory serving as a buffer and observation zone. Border villages where Russia never fully consolidated control are now being secured, with clearing operations extending deeper into contested areas. The General Staff confirmed the full clearance of Russian forces from the settlement of Varachyne, alongside increased Ukrainian control in the area, as grey zone territory has expanded to Russia’s harm in Yunakivka and Oleksivka.
Ukrainian Major Andriy Tkachuk stated that the situation in Sumy is stabilizing, with Ukraine maintaining counteroffensive pressure. While Russia previously threatened an advance on Sumy, its ability to mount such an operation has completely evaporated in the face of high losses and well-coordinated Ukrainian operations.
Moving to the Lyman sector, the 63rd Mechanized Brigade continues to inflict heavy losses on Russian forces, while avoiding wasteful tactics of trying to hold Torske at all costs. Despite the village’s tactical value, the Ukrainian command prioritizes preserving combat capability over symbolic stands, which is much more important in the operational context of the battles in this sector.
In the Serebryanski forest, Russian forces have pushed deeper by exploiting a small weakness in Ukrainian lines due to a lack of support and resources, and are now attempting to entrench here. Russians had been probing for gaps for a while and even targeted Ukrainian drone crews to try and create the gaps themselves. Russians even briefly used armored vehicles for assaults here but were swiftly destroyed by Ukrainian drones, forcing the enemy back to infantry-only attacks. Near Torske, clashes remain constant, with Russian troops entering and trying to fortify positions before being cleared out. The situation is tense, and while Ukrainian defenders hold, continued Russian reinforcements could soon push Torske under enemy control, as Ukrainian commanders weigh the option of pulling back to reorganize the line.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Ukrainian forces are preparing a controlled withdrawal from Toretsk, a strategic move following the redeployment of Azov Corps elements to reinforce Pokrovsk.
This shortening of the contact line will allow defenders to concentrate strength while using the open fields south of Kostiantynivka for drone dominance. The size of the nearby lake also renders Russian offensive or amphibious operations unfeasible if Ukrainians can maintain a coordinated wall of drones. Recent Russian advances in predictable and remote areas confirm the deliberate nature of this withdrawal rather than signs of a forced retreat. By pulling back now, Ukraine avoids the risk of unit-scale encirclements should Russian breakthroughs in the east materialize. The repositioning ensures that defensive lines remain strong and sustainable, turning the terrain itself into a force multiplier while preparing to meet any Russian push with concentrated firepower and flexibility.
Switching to the Pokrovsk sector, a confirmed Russian breakthrough has prompted the rapid redeployment of combined elements from the Azov and 21st army corps to seal the gap.
Russian activity began several days ago, following their standard tactic of sending small sabotage and reconnaissance groups through valleys and forest cover, bypassing stronger defenses, before launching all out assaults if they succeed. These units entrenched past the new Donbas defensive line at a vulnerable point, exploiting Ukraine’s manpower shortages and apparent gaps in drone surveillance.
While no large-scale mechanized push has followed, the entrenched Russian groups form a narrow, elongated salient that remains dangerous but potentially containable. Ukrainian forces are working to isolate and clear these positions, though the recent redeployments required to plug this gap could have ripple effects on other sectors where manpower is already stretched.
Overall, on the border near Sumy, the Russians continue to lose ground while Ukrainian counterattacks have enlarged the grey zone and a buffer area within Russian territory.
Meanwhile, in the Lyman sector, Russian troops have managed to exploit weaknesses and advance further in the forest, with their attempts to entrench in Torske still being rebuffed by the Ukrainians.
Near Kostiantynivka, the Ukrainian command has pulled some forces and is about to even the frontline and move to more defensible positions under constant Russian infantry assaults.
Northeast of Pokrovsk, the Russians have managed to achieve a breakthrough, which has prompted the Ukrainians to redeploy some of their most capable units in an attempt to prevent disaster and deal with the situation before the enemy is able to entrench.
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