File image.

In the Slavyansk direction the situation is deteriorating: Ukrainian units are increasing activity, taking advantage of successes in the Liman area, where fresh forces of drone operators have been concentrated in the vicinity of Dibrova. Russian units have been driven out of the remnants of Piskunovka and are defending the approaches to Krivaya Luka. In the Dnipropetrovsk direction Ukrainian units are attacking near Komar and Perebudova; the eastern flank remains an extensive grey zone. In the Dobropolye direction fierce fighting continues: Russian assault groups are advancing in the southern part of the town, while Ukrainian units are exerting pressure on the northern flank near Zolotoy Kolodets. In the Sumy direction Ukrainian forces are accumulating reserves in the forest tracts north of Sumy and in the pocket south of Yunakovka; fighting is under way near Ivolzhanskoye and Pisarevka. In the Kharkiv direction Russian units are tightening the encirclement ring in the northeast of the region, advancing near Tokarevka and in the areas of Varvarovka, Reznikovo, Lobanovka, Kotovka and Annopolye. In the concluding part, the parties Alternative for Germany and the Alliance for Social Justice and Reasonable Economics will submit a resolution to the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament demanding that the anti-Russian sanctions and assistance to Ukraine be recognised as failures.

Slavyansk direction  

The Slavyansk direction is for the time being being postponed, as the situation here is deteriorating. Ukrainian units are increasing activity, taking advantage of successes in the Liman area, where fresh forces of drone operators have been concentrated in the vicinity of Dibrova. Russian fighters have been driven out of the remnants of Piskunovka and are now defending the approaches to Krivaya Luka. Ukrainian units are attempting to penetrate there both from the west and across the river from the direction of Ozernoye.

West of Kalenikovo fierce fighting continues. Ukrainian units are attacking from the direction of Nikolayevka, using previously accumulated reserves. Fierce fighting is also under way for Rai-Aleksandrovka, although only recently the village was under the full control of Russian units. No less complicated is the situation on the western bank of the Seversky Donets–Donbass canal. Russian fighters are still holding positions and conducting fighting for Malinovka, Tikhonovka and the vicinity of Yurkovka.

The Ukrainian side is using successes on the Liman direction to develop attacks on the Slavyansk direction, where Russian troops are forced to defend previously captured positions and expend resources on restoring control instead of developing the offensive. It is becoming obvious that the possibility of an assault on the agglomeration is receding into a more distant perspective. Without control over the forests south of Liman — which will require not only stabilization of the situation but also a counter-counteroffensive — an advance from Seversk toward Slavyansk under flanking fire is doomed if not to failure then to high losses from flanking strikes.  

Dnipropetrovsk direction  

Ukrainian units are attacking in the Dnipropetrovsk direction; the situation remains extremely tense. There is growing evidence of attempts by Ukrainian forces to advance near Komar. According to footage from Russian sources, Ukrainian units are already operating with infantry in the vicinity of Perebudova, east of the Mokrye Yaly River. Judging by the direction of movement of a Ukrainian assault soldier hit by a drone, the Ukrainian side is attempting to outflank Komar. There are reports of activity by Ukrainian units near Fyodorovka, which lies further south.

The eastern flank of the Dnipropetrovsk direction, as before, remains an extensive grey zone in which Ukrainian forces are gradually consolidating. Taking advantage of superiority in drones and heights in the area of Ivanovka and Gavrilovka, they obtained the ability to control with drones the settlements lying in the lowland.

At the same time, on the western flank the initiative is still retained by Russian units operating in the Zaporizhzhia region. Trends on the Dnipropetrovsk direction remain largely negative: for several months already the Ukrainian side has retained the ability to bring new groups across the Volchya River. This calls into question the presence of Russian units on the extensive stretch of terrain south of the river, since footage from near Komar appears regularly.

Dobropolye direction  

Fierce fighting does not abate in the Dobropolye direction. Ukrainian units are increasing activity in the vicinity of Zolotoy Kolodets on the northern flank and are attacking near Rubezhnoye, Kucherov Yar and Novonikolayevka. Russian units are advancing inside Dobropolye itself.

In Krasnoyarskoye a Ukrainian presence is still retained, as is the possibility for Ukrainian forces to send infiltration groups toward Belitskoye. There are also reports of Russian fighters advancing from the village of Dobropolye northward toward Svyatogorovka. On the southern flank Russian fighters continue to advance in the vicinity of Sergeyevka.  

Sumy direction  

In the Sumy direction the Ukrainian side continues to accumulate reserves in the forest tracts north of Sumy and in the pocket south of Yunakovka. Fighting continues near Ivolzhanskoye and Pisarevka. Ukrainian units, being in a tactical advantage, are actively using routes through the forest while the vegetation has not yet fallen; this is, so to speak, the last push by Ukrainian forces before the winter period. South of Yunakovka the situation is also complicated: Ukrainian troops are attempting to enter and consolidate in the southern part of the village. In Malaya Korchakovka there is a huge number of Ukrainian drones, and small groups are being transferred from the direction of Ivolzhanskoye; however, further movement will be difficult for the Ukrainian side, as the terrain does not permit it even with drones present.

In Kiyanitsa and Khoten of Sumy district, assault groups are conducting small-arms fighting. Near Krovnoye Russian units discovered a camouflaged German Leopard, after which they struck it with unmanned aerial vehicles. In Shostka district Russian troops advanced through tree lines near Korenok.  

Kharkiv direction  

Fierce fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Kharkiv region. Russian units are tightening the encirclement ring in the northeast of the region, destroying the remnants of Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian units are preparing new assault groups for a breakout.

Local residents of the Kharkiv region are increasingly refusing to provide housing to servicemen of Ukrainian units who have arrived from rear areas for reinforcement. The command of these units is urging subordinates to use weapons to persuade civilians to provide their homes for accommodation. In the Liptsy direction Russian assault troops continue to advance near Tokarevka. Over the course of a day progress reached up to 200 meters. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions Russian units have concentrated efforts on detecting and destroying Ukrainian assault groups preparing for offensive actions. Assault groups of Russian units have advanced near Varvarovka, Reznikovo, Lobanovka, Kotovka and Annopolye. 

Conclusion  

In the Slavyansk direction this is expressed in the defense of the approaches to Krivaya Luka and heavy fighting for Rai-Aleksandrovka, where the Ukrainian side is using accumulated reserves. In the Dnipropetrovsk direction — in the repulsion of attacks near Komar and Perebudova and attempts to stabilize the eastern flank. In the Dobropolye direction — in the advance in the southern part of the town and pressure on the northern flank. In the Sumy direction — in fighting near Ivolzhanskoye and Pisarevka and the accumulation of reserves by the Ukrainian side in the forest tracts. In the Kharkiv direction — in the tightening of the encirclement ring and advances near Tokarevka and in the areas of Varvarovka, Reznikovo, Lobanovka, Kotovka and Annopolye. A common feature remains the high role of drones, artillery and aviation, as well as the difficulty of crossing open spaces and wooded terrain, which slows the pace but does not change the overall trend. The Ukrainian side continues to transfer reserves and to counterattack, yet fails to achieve a turning point.

The parties Alternative for Germany and the Alliance for Social Justice and Reasonable Economics will submit to the regional parliament of the state of Saxony-Anhalt a resolution demanding that the anti-Russian sanctions and assistance to Ukraine be recognized as failures. According to the draft document, the parliament is to recognize as failures the sanctions policy against Russia as well as arms deliveries and financial assistance to Ukraine. The parties call on the state government to use all available means to prevent further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and to take steps toward a peaceful settlement. Alternative for Germany won with 43.8 percent of the vote in the elections to the parliament of the state of Saxony-Anhalt held on 6 September. It advocates a tougher migration policy and the protection of traditional values.

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The Houthis (Ansar Allah) released footage on October 7 showing their fighters driving Saudi-backed forces out of two districts in the southwestern Yemeni province of Taiz. Many of the Houthi fighters in the video appear to be fighting barefoot.

The footage was said to show operations in the al-Ma’afer and al-Mawasit districts, including the capture of the palace of Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council.

Earlier in the day, Yemen’s Saba news agency reported, citing a Houthi military official, that Saudi-backed forces had been completely expelled from the al-Salw district in southern Taiz and had handed over all of their weapons and positions to the group.

Beyond Taiz, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group had repelled an attempt by Saudi-backed forces to advance toward its positions in the northern province of al-Jawf.

Saree said Houthi forces struck troop concentrations with ballistic missiles and drones, killing and wounding dozens of fighters and destroying several vehicles.

In a separate statement, Saree said Houthi forces had struck 11 Saudi-backed troop concentrations over the previous 24 hours in areas south of Bab al-Mandab and in al-Suqya, Ras al-Ara and al-Mudharibah. He said the attacks involved 11 ballistic missiles and caused dozens of deaths and injuries, including among commanders, while destroying a number of vehicles.

Saree said Houthi forces then tracked a company from the 13th Giants Brigade, accusing the unit of running over prisoners of war. The company was struck by a ballistic missile while its members were gathered, causing more than 30 casualties.

These latest developments show the Houthis still have the upper hand on all fronts in Yemen. In Taiz in particular, the situation is worsening for the besieged Saudi-backed forces. A collapse there can be expected within days, if not hours. The Houthis could take over the provincial capital before the end of the month.

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Russia’s Africa Corps on October 7 provided details on the successful weeklong offensive operation that concluded with the liberation of the key city of Kidal in northern Mali.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the Africa Corps said the operation ran from October 1 through October 7 and involved Malian army units and Russian forces working with the GATIA and MSA armed groups.

The GATIA and MSA, which are mainly Tuareg, have cooperated with the Malian government against separatists and jihadist groups.

The joint force advanced more than 450 kilometers from Gao toward Kidal through difficult terrain, including mined areas, while taking control of settlements along the route, according to the Corps.

Russian and Malian aircraft provided air support to the ground advance, striking what the Africa Corps described as militant positions around Kidal as well as rear facilities in nearby Abeïbara, Tin-Essako, Talahandak, Tinzaouaten and Tessalit.

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The Corps said the offensive caused heavy losses among the opposing forces and prevented them from maintaining their positions around Kidal. It added that allied assault units entered the city from several directions, leaving the groups defending it unable to organize an effective resistance.

A day earlier, the Azawad Liberation Front, better known as the FLA, announced its withdrawal from Kidal. The Tuareg-dominated separatist group said it had carried out a “controlled and temporary” withdrawal to preserve its forces and resources. The group attributed its decision in part to intensified air operations by Malian forces and Russia’s Africa Corps and said its departure had taken place without direct fighting inside the city.

Mali’s government said that its forces had entered Kidal and were reinforcing their presence there. The city had been seized in April by the FLA in cooperation with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, an al-Qaida affiliate, during a broader offensive that struck several locations across Mali and killed Defense Minister Sadio Camara.

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Kidal carries particular political importance for Bamako because it has long been a center of Tuareg separatism and a symbol of the Malian state’s contested authority across the country’s vast northern territory. Malian forces previously recaptured the city in November 2023 after it had been held by Tuareg rebels for years, making its loss in April and return this week especially significant.

The Africa Corps described the latest operation as a major military and political victory for Mali and its Russian partners. It said troops were now conducting clearance operations, removing mines and unexploded ordnance and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the city.

The recapture gives Mali’s military government control of Kidal again, but it does not by itself end the insurgency in the country.

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• The Yemeni Army (Ansar Allah) reportedly struck al-Dagharir camp and al-Mawsim camp in Jizan, Aakifah camp in Asir, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha International Airport, Khamis Mushait Air Base and Saudi military supplies at Badr camp near Aden International Airport;
• Saudi-backed forces had been driven out of al-Salu district in Taiz province, with the forces surrendering their weapons and positions to Ansar Allah;
• By October 7, the Saudi-backed counterattack near Bab al-Mandab had stalled, with Ansar Allah retaining control of the strategic waterway;
• Reports on October 7 said Syria could join Saudi Arabia in the war against Ansar Allah in Yemen.

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• Houthis Deepen Saudi Arabia’s Problems With Intensive Strikes (Videos)
• Syria Is Preparing to Join Saudi War on Yemen, and It Would Be a Big Mistake
   

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Iran’s armed forces are prepared to launch pre-emptive strikes if needed to prevent further attacks, an army spokesman said on October 7, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed tighter control over the Strait of Hormuz amid continued attacks on commercial shipping.

“Should circumstances require it, we will conduct pre-emptive operations down the line in order to prevent the enemy from committing any act of aggression or intrusion,” Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akrami-Nia, spokesman for Iran’s regular army, told the state-run IRNA news agency.

The warning came as Tehran continued to restrict commercial traffic through Hormuz, with Iranian officials saying the waterway would remain closed under current conditions.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior adviser to the IRGC, said Iran had full control of the strait and would maintain the restrictions until its demands were met.

“The Strait of Hormuz is closed and the armed forces have full control over it, and this situation will continue until Iran’s legitimate demands are met,” Naqdi said in a media interview.

Naqdi revealed that some vessels were using small boats to move oil through the waterway before transferring it to larger tankers. He warned that Iran will soon shut what it considers unauthorized routes near Oman that he said had been created by damaging rocky passages.

“Soon, a small number of the routes that violators have created by blasting and destroying some of the existing rocky passages in the Strait of Hormuz will be blocked,” he said.

Another IRGC adviser, Brig. Gen. Amirahmadi, said only about 10 ships a day were now passing through the strait, compared with almost 125 before the war that began on February 28. He noted that most of those vessels were using routes approved by Iran.

“These ships are mainly those that pass through the waterway and designated route with the permission of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

The figures point to a heavily restricted waterway rather than a complete halt in shipping. Reuters reported that, between September 28 and October 5, attacks, attempted attacks and harassment involving tankers reached their highest weekly level since the war began.

The latest incidents have underscored the danger facing ships still attempting to transit the strait. On October 6, the Panama-flagged tanker On Peace was hit by an unidentified projectile off Oman, injuring 12 of its 19 crew members. Eleven of those injured were Indian nationals, and Oman evacuated the crew members to Khasab for treatment. Neither India nor Oman identified the attacker.

Two days earlier, on October 4, the Liberian-flagged tanker Lipsi was struck by an unknown projectile in the strait, damaging its engine room and leaving the vessel disabled and drifting. The crew was unharmed and no pollution was reported. Maritime authorities did not identify those responsible for the attack.

Recent remarks by Iranian commanders indicate that the Islamic Republic is planning to further tighten its grip over the Strait of Hormuz and is willing to go into another confrontation in order to keep the waterway under its control.

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• On October 6, a Panama-flagged tanker, the On Peace was struck near Oman, injuring 12 crew members;
• On October 6, Iranian National Security Council Secretary, Mohsen Rezaei said that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened under threats or pressure and that Iran would not retreat;
• On October 7, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said that Iran had “lost complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming oil flows had largely recovered.

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Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) on October 7 announced a series of drone and missile attacks on airports and military sites in Saudi Arabia as fighting intensified between the group and Yemeni government forces on several fronts.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement that the group targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with several drones in what he called a “precise” attack that disrupted air traffic. He added that the group separately targeted Abha International Airport and Khamis Mushait Air Base with ballistic missiles and drones, claiming the attacks disrupted flights and damaged the military base.

Saree said the Houthis had also launched ballistic missiles and drones at three military camps: Dagharir in Jizan, Aakifah in Asir and Al-Mawsim in Jizan.

The Saudi-led coalition, for its part, announced that it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward the Riyadh area.

Coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said on X the missile was intercepted north of the capital and described the attackers as the “terrorist Houthi militia.” He claimed that coalition forces had tracked the missile’s launch platform over Sanaa and vowed, “We are tracking the launch platform with the Coalition’s intelligence system in the skies over Sanaa, and we will destroy it.”

The escalation extended to southern Yemen, where the Houthis launched two missiles toward Aden International Airport early Wednesday, according to Yemeni authorities.

One missile landed near the runway shortly before a scheduled flight from Cairo was due to arrive, but the aircraft landed safely and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The attacks came as ground fighting continued in southwestern Yemen. Clashes were reported around Dhubab, south of the Red Sea port of Mocha, and in the Waziayah district of Taiz province.

Government-aligned forces said Wednesday that they had launched an operation to retake Waziayah, while Houthi forces disputed claims that they were being pushed back.

In the al-Salw district of Taiz, Houthi forces said on October 7 that they had completed the expulsion of Saudi-backed forces and taken over their positions and weapons. Video footage posted to social media showed Saudi-backed forces withdrawing toward the port city of Aden in southern Yemen.

The latest clashes are part of a broader Saudi-backed campaign to reverse recent Houthi gains along Yemen’s western coast and around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical Red Sea shipping route. The renewed offensive has so far failed to produce any results, while the Houthis have expanded missile and drone attacks against Saudi territory and government-held areas of Yemen.

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Russian jet-powered one-way attack drones could eventually reach speeds of 800 to 900 kilometers per hour, further complicating Ukraine’s efforts to intercept them, a senior Ukrainian Air Force official said.

Col. Yurii Cherevashchenko, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, made the assessment on October 6 during a meeting of a Ukrainian parliamentary commission. He said Russian jet-powered drones currently reach speeds of about 600 km/h but could become significantly faster.

“We predict an increase in speed to 800-900 km/h,” Cherevashchenko said.

Cherevashchenko noted the faster Russian drones would give Ukrainian air defenses less time to detect, track and intercept them.

The assessment came after Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko said on September 27 that a new Geran-type drone had briefly accelerated to about 800 km/h before slowing to roughly 500 km/h over the Odessa region. Kovalenko said the episode could indicate testing of a new jet engine.

Russia has sharply increased its use of jet-powered drones since July, according to Cherevashchenko. They now account for about 40 percent of Russian drones used in attacks on Ukraine, with their share reaching as high as 60 percent in some areas. The Ukrainian Air Force expects jet-powered drones could eventually account for about 80 percent of the Russian attack-drone fleet.

The growing speed of the drones is driving Ukraine to develop faster interception systems, as existing defenses designed for slower German-type drones face a shrinking window to respond to incoming targets. These efforts have seen very little success so far, and Cherevashchenko said that delivery of jet-powered interceptors may not begin before the end of November.

Cherevashchenko’s remarks confirm that Russia is leading the drone race in Ukraine, and constantly working to further expand the gap.

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Click to see full-size image. (Uralvagonzavod\Rostec)

Russia’s Uralvagonzavod has completed testing of an upgraded BREM-80 armored repair and recovery vehicle equipped with enhanced protection against drones, sixth-generation communications and a mechanized coupling system designed to allow crews to recover damaged vehicles without leaving the cabin, state defense corporation Rostec announced on October 6.

The modernization was carried out with combat operations in Ukraine in mind, according to Rostec, which said in a statement that Uralvagonzavod specialists tested the resistance of the vehicle’s new communications equipment to electronic warfare and subjected the mechanized coupling system to maximum loads while towing heavy armored vehicles over rough terrain.

In addition, the BREM-80 received strengthened protection against shaped-charge munitions, drones and artillery fragments.

The vehicle’s new sixth-generation radio equipment is designed to maintain communications under electronic interference, while the mechanized coupling system allows recovery crews to attach towing cables without leaving the vehicle under enemy fire, Rostec said.

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The vehicle is fitted with a bulldozer blade that can be used to clear roads and passages and to anchor the vehicle on the ground.

“Experience from the special military operation has shown that the evacuation of damaged vehicles is one of the most dangerous tasks at the front. The modernization of the BREM-80 was aimed primarily at crew safety. The mechanized coupling system and new armor protection make it possible to perform the work faster and with minimal risk to the lives of the crew. Serial production of the updated vehicles has already been launched, and the equipment is being delivered to Russian troops,” Uralvagonzavod said in its own statement.

The BREM-80 is built on the chassis of the T-80 tank and uses a gas-turbine engine. Rostec said the power plant can be started within several minutes at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, allowing the vehicle to operate in a range of climates, including Arctic conditions.

The company noted the vehicle’s towing capacity allows it to recover not only Russian and Soviet armored vehicles but heavier Western-made equipment as well. It can tow several tanks at once, according to the corporation.

The special military operation in Ukraine highlighted the importance of armored repair and recovery vehicles. The shortage of such highly specialized vehicles contributed to several of Ukraine’s major failures on the battlefield in the last few years. Even with NATO backing, Kyiv forces continue to struggle with this issue. Meanwhile, Russia seems to be widening the gap in this field.

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Syria is reportedly considering whether to join the war in Yemen on the side of Saudi Arabia, a potential expansion of the conflict that could expose Damascus to significant military and political risks.

Hiba Nasr, Washington bureau chief for Asharq Bloomberg, said in a post to X on October 7 that Syria could join the war, although no final decision had been made and the idea remained under discussion, citing multiple sources.

The report came a day after a surprise visit by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Saudi Arabia. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said that discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud focused on strengthening political and economic ties between the two countries.

The possibility of Syrian involvement comes as Saudi Arabia struggles to turn its renewed military intervention in Yemen into a decisive victory.

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have made very limited gains around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in recent days, and have so far failed to reverse the Houthis’ recent territorial gains, particularly in Taiz and other mountainous areas in southwestern Yemen.

In addition, the Houthis have continued launching missiles and drones against Saudi Arabia, targeting energy facilities, airports and military sites.

The latest developments mark a sharp change from reporting last month. Türkiye Today reported on September 18 that Damascus had rejected a formal Saudi request to organize and send Syrian fighters to Yemen.

Syrian sources told the publication that the government did not want to enter the conflict as a third party while it was reorganizing its armed forces. Turkish and regional sources separately denied claims that Ankara was organizing the deployment of Syrian mercenaries in Yemen.

The new report about possible Syrian participation comes shortly after Turkey moved closer to direct military support for Saudi Arabia.

Middle East Eye reported on October 6 that Ankara was preparing to send additional personnel and defense equipment to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah defense pact. Turkish officials told the publication that Turkey already had technical teams, air defense systems and electronic warfare equipment in the kingdom and was preparing additional deployments, with some measures requiring parliamentary approval.

The timing of the latest report raises the possibility that Ankara may be encouraging Damascus to contribute to the Saudi war effort.

For Damascus, Saudi support could carry an important economic attraction. Syria remains heavily dependent on outside assistance after more than a decade of war. The World Bank estimates that rebuilding the country’s damaged infrastructure and buildings would cost about $216 billion.

During al-Sharaa’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Syrian officials said the two sides discussed reconstruction, infrastructure, investment and cooperation in energy, construction, agriculture and trade.

Saudi Arabia has already committed billions of dollars to investments in Syria, including projects involving airports and telecommunications, making Riyadh an important potential source of capital for Damascus.

Any Syrian deployment, however, would carry a substantial military risk. Syrian armed forces have extensive combat experience from the country’s long civil war, but that experience does not necessarily prepare them for Yemen’s rugged highland warfare, where the Houthis have a major geographic advantage and long familiarity with the terrain.

A recent United States-based conflict-monitoring assessment said government-aligned Yemeni forces face particular difficulties operating in the mountainous areas of Taiz, where air support is less effective and Houthi light infantry units are well adapted to the terrain.

Sudan’s experience in Yemen offers a warning. Sudan deployed troops as part of the Saudi-led intervention and suffered heavy casualties. It is reported that more than 4,000 Sudanese were killed fighting the Houthis, including more than 2,000 in Taiz and along the western coast where the fighting is currently taking place.

A Syrian intervention could also create risks well beyond the battlefield in Yemen. The Houthis have demonstrated the ability to launch long-range missiles and drones.

For Syria, taking part could therefore mean opening another front at a time when the country is still rebuilding. Houthi retaliation against Syrian territory or interests would be one possible consequence, while other Iran-aligned actors in Iraq — and potentially Iran itself — could have incentives to respond to a direct Syrian role in the Yemen war.

For now, the reported Syrian decision remains unresolved. But the shift from Damascus’ reported rejection last month of Saudi requests for Syrian participation to a reported discussion of direct involvement this week suggests that the widening Saudi-Turkish military response to the Houthi offensive may be changing the calculations in Damascus.

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In the Slavyansk direction, Russian units are holding the line along the Zherebets River, repelling attempts by Ukrainian groups to infiltrate the eastern bank; the most difficult situation remains in Krasny Liman. In the Dobropolye direction, tactical successes by Russian units on the Sergeyevka–Grishino line are confirmed; fighting continues in the vicinity of the village of Dobropolye and near Zolotoy Kolodets. In the Sumy direction, Russian assault groups are advancing through tree lines north of Sumy and near Kiyanitsa. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units continue to advance deeper into the “Volchansk cauldron,” have taken new positions near Bugayevka and Tokarevka, and have repelled a counterattack near Kurgannoye. Meanwhile, Sweden will deploy a Patriot air-defense system in Poland to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.

Slavyansk direction  

Russian fighters are holding back the pressure of Ukrainian units along the Zherebets River, preventing any significant forces from breaking across it. Reports of attempts by sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate the eastern bank continue to appear. The Ukrainian side has not abandoned attempts to enter Yampolovka from the direction of Kolodezi, as well as to cross near Novolyubovka.

Ukrainian units are gradually increasing their presence in the forests west of Zarechnoye, continually bringing in new infantry groups despite high losses from Russian drone and artillery strikes. Fighting continues on the outskirts of Zarechnoye itself. In Krasny Liman the situation remains difficult. Russian fighters still retain the approaches to the city through the forest tract, yet cannot consolidate there. The Ukrainian side holds numerical superiority as well as an advantage in drones, of which there are a great many here.

In the area of Dibrova and Ozernoye Ukrainian units have accumulated considerable reserves. Russian fighters are systematically destroying drone control points west of Ozernoye. With these drones the Ukrainian side is affecting not only the zone of responsibility of the “West” grouping near Yampol, but is also attempting to disrupt the supply of Russian troops from the “South” grouping, which are conducting heavy defensive fighting in the vicinity of Rai-Aleksandrovka and attempting to retain the bridgehead beyond the Seversky Donets–Donbass canal.  

Dobropolye direction  

On the southern flank earlier reports of tactical successes by Russian units on the Sergeyevka–Grishino line are confirmed. The situation here remains tense; further advance is complicated by the abundance of drones on the Ukrainian side.

Clashes also continue in the vicinity of the village of Dobropolye, located south of the town of the same name. Russian fighters are advancing westward along the Vodyanaya River, attempting to reach Novofyodorovka and further toward Krivorozhye in order to expand the potential envelopment of Dobropolye. Strikes by aviation and artillery continue against the town itself. On the southern outskirts Russian assault troops are operating; on the northern outskirts high-explosive aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module are being employed. Ukrainian units are attempting to build up forces in the vicinity of the town.

In the area of Zolotoy Kolodets the situation remains tense. There the Ukrainian side is conducting local counterattacks. At the same time, on this line several settlements, including Zolotoy Kolodets itself and neighboring ones, were not under stable control of Russian units — only several infiltration groups were operating there. In the north of the Dobropolye direction a fairly extensive “grey zone” remains, in which fighting continues. 

Sumy direction  

The most active combat operations are unfolding near the forest tract north of Sumy. Russian units of the “North” grouping are advancing through the tree lines with artillery support. The Ukrainian side has taken no active actions and is sitting on the defensive.

Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews struck concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of Kiyanitsa, Gruzskoye, Gnilitsa, Krolevets, Uralovo, Pustogorod, Turya and Volnoye. In the Sumy district, assault groups of Russian units advanced 200 metres near Kiyanitsa. In Shostka district Russian assault troops were clearing tree lines near previously captured settlements.

In the Glukhov direction the Russian army continued to hold positions in Ulanovo while simultaneously attempting to strengthen its presence in Tolstodubovo. Activity is also maintained in the near rear. Ukrainian authorities recorded strikes against the Glukhov community and Shostka district.  

Kharkiv direction  

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue a confident advance deeper into the “Volchansk cauldron,” as well as on other sectors of the front. The Ukrainian side is forced to withdraw to more advantageous defensive lines.

In the Kharkiv sector Russian units have taken new positions in the area of the villages of Bugayevka and Tokarevka and are advancing near Novaya Kazachya. On the eastern sector of the front the cauldron is being cleared. According to operational data, an attempt at a counterattack by Ukrainian units from the direction of the village of Kurgannoye was repelled. Fighting continues near Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk.

In the Liptsy direction Russian troops advanced near Tokarevka and captured several Ukrainian strongpoints. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions, assault units of Russian troops advanced near Prikolotnoye, Kotovka, Varvarovka, Reznikovo, Nikolayevka and Annopolye.

The Ukrainian side made another unsuccessful attempt to break the encirclement ring from the area of Kurgannoye with forces of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment. As a result of comprehensive fire strikes more than half of the assault group was destroyed. From the northern side Russian troops established control over the greater part of Malaya Volchya and took the farms near Shabelnoye.  

Conclusion  

In the Slavyansk direction this is expressed in the holding of the line along the Zherebets and heavy fighting in the forest tracts. In the Dobropolye direction — in tactical successes on the southern flank and pressure on the town from several sides. In the Sumy direction — it advances through tree lines north of the regional center. In the Kharkiv direction — in the tightening of the ring around the “Volchansk cauldron” and the occupation of new positions. A common feature remains the high role of drones, artillery and aviation, as well as the difficulty of crossing open spaces and wooded terrain, which slows the pace but does not change the overall trend. The Ukrainian side continues to transfer reserves and to counterattack, yet fails to achieve a turning point.

Sweden will deploy a Patriot air-defense system in Poland to strengthen the protection of NATO’s eastern flank, the kingdom’s armed forces reported. “Sweden will deploy a Patriot air-defense system in Poland to strengthen the protection of NATO’s eastern flank,” the statement says. It is clarified that approximately 100 servicemen will also be sent to Poland. The tasks of the Swedish forces will include the protection of a logistics center used for the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. Earlier the armed forces reported that Sweden would send Gripen fighters to Poland for two months to participate in the NATO air-policing mission, including for the protection of the logistics center.  

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