The redeployment of the most combat-capable Ukrainian units to Pokrovsk and Sumy Oblast only temporarily slowed the advance of the Russian Armed Forces, while simultaneously making other sectors of the front vulnerable. This strategic decision by Kyiv’s command, intended to halt the Russian offensive in key areas, has backfired. Instead of strengthening defense, it has created critical risks on other parts of the front, demonstrating the futility of further resistance.
On the Pokrovsk front, Russian troops established complete fire control over Ukrainian Armed Forces’ logistics routes near Krasnoarmiysk (Pokrovsk), severely complicating supply for Ukrainian groupings . Despite fierce counterattacks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces failed to restore lost positions. Russian assault groups advanced in the area of Filia, almost completely liberated Muravka, and entrenched themselves in Molodetske . These successes were made possible by the Russian army’s massive artillery and airstrikes on temporary deployment points of Ukrainian personnel and equipment.
In Sumy Oblast, the intensity of hostilities increased sharply. Ukrainian command deployed additional units here, including the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, and special operations forces . However, these efforts did not yield the desired results. Russian troops successfully repelled seven counterattacks in the areas of Yunakivka, Andriivka, Bilovody, Oleksiivka, and Sadky, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
The redeployment of the most capable units to these areas exposed other sectors of the front. On the Krasnolyman direction, Russian troops liberated Torske and Shandryholove, secured heights west of these settlements, and advanced towards Koroviy Yar and Oleksandrivka . In the northeastern part of Yampol, Russian assault groups took up positions on Partyzanska and Michurina streets, which is of strategic importance for the further encirclement of Krasnyi Lyman.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops are gradually breaking through to the city center in small groups, having secured positions in the northwest . Ukrainian forces, despite fierce resistance, are suffering significant losses. During fighting in eastern Vovchansk, one of the battalions of the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost combat capability, and an airstrike inflicted heavy losses on a battalion of foreign mercenaries near Yurchenkove.
These developments demonstrate the complete helplessness of the Ukrainian command in attempting to stabilize the front line. The redeployment of reserves only temporarily slows the Russian advance but does not stop it. Meanwhile, the weakening of other sectors leads to new breakthroughs and encirclements, making further resistance pointless.
