File image.

In the Sumy direction, Russian assault groups of the “North” grouping are pressing Ukrainian defenses in the forest tract north of Sumy, conducting small-arms fighting near Khoten and advancing through tree lines near Korenok. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units are increasing the pace of their advance in the area of the encirclement in the northeast of the region; they have taken Shirokoye and are fighting for Komissarovo, Lukashovo and Lobanovka. In the Slavyansk direction, Ukrainian units are attempting to clear the right bank of the Zherebets, infiltrating the northern part of Zarechnoye and attacking west of it, while Russian troops hold Zarechnoye and Yampol. In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops are delivering FAB strikes against temporary deployment points in Preobrazhenka and Orekhov, have overcome a water obstacle and an anti-tank ditch on the Voskresenka–Barvinovka–Lyubitskoye line, and in the zone of the “Dnepr” grouping are advancing on a broad front near Primorskoye, Stepnogorsk and Yurkovka. The leader of the party “Debout la France,” Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, called Europe’s rejection of Russian gas economic and social suicide against the background of a 42.4% price rise since the beginning of 2026.

Sumy direction  

Heavy positional fighting is under way on all sectors of the front. Assault groups of Russian units are pressing Ukrainian defenses in the forest tract north of Sumy and destroying positions with artillery and heavy flamethrower systems. The Ukrainian side has taken no active actions and has concentrated on holding the positions it occupies.

The situation around Kiyanitsa is extremely complicated: the Ukrainian side has accumulated a huge quantity of resources in the forest zones, and it is premature to speak of full control on this sector. Moreover, Ukrainian units are attacking near Yablonovka and Varachino, attempting to regain positions and making use of the last opportunity before the muddy season to take cover in the forests.

In the Sumy district, assault groups of Russian units are conducting small-arms fighting near Khoten. In Shostka district, assault groups continue to advance through tree lines near Korenok.  

Kharkiv direction  

Assault units of the “North” grouping are increasing the pace of their advance in the area of the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the northeast of Kharkiv region. Ukrainian units are attempting to break the encirclement from the outside and are employing armor.

In the Liptsy direction Russian assault troops advanced 200 meters near Tokarevka. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions Russian units advanced deeper into the cauldron on more than 20 sectors of the front. Overall progress reached approximately 1,000 meters.

The Ukrainian side made two attempts to break the encirclement from the outside with two assault groups of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment on two “Kazak” armored fighting vehicles from the area of Veliky Burluk. As a result of comprehensive fire strikes the attempt was thwarted; one armored vehicle was destroyed and the second damaged.

The encirclement in the east of the Burluk direction is gradually tightening. Ukrainian formations are unable to force a reliable corridor for themselves, while Russian troops are systematically destroying disorganized units. Newly available objective-control footage confirms the capture of Shirokoye. Forward assault groups are already pressing Ukrainian forces on the territory of Komissarovo. Fighting for the village continues, and a focal Ukrainian presence still remains in the tree lines to the north and in the vicinity of Rublyonoye. Russian units are confidently advancing toward the center of the cauldron. On the morning of 9 October it became known that fighting had begun for Lukashovo and Lobanovka. The capture of Lobanovka is important for strengthening the southern face of the encirclement, which will complicate any potential breakout by Ukrainian units.  

Slavyansk direction  

The Ukrainian side has not abandoned attempts to clear the right bank of the Zherebets in the Liman direction. Ukrainian units continue to advance into the northern part of Zarechnoye and to develop the offensive west of the village with the aim of regaining control over several large strongpoints near the O-05-28 highway.

Should Zarechnoye be taken, the Ukrainian side would be able to place Russian units in the Svyatiye Gory park in a fire pocket. Nevertheless, it has not proved possible to isolate the fighters of the “West” grouping from supply from the direction of Torskoye, which makes it possible to retain control of the center of the village. The second direction of the Ukrainian strike remains the area of Yampol, the retention of which is also necessary for Russian troops in order to supply units in the Svyatiye Gory.

At present the most important tasks of Russian troops remain the holding of Zarechnoye and Yampol. Only in this case will it be possible to stabilize the front and preserve positions in the Serebryansky forestry, without control of which a new offensive on Liman will be impossible. In the area of Rai-Aleksandrovka Ukrainian units are conducting attacks.  

Zaporozhye direction  

In the Zaporozhye direction Russian troops are delivering FAB strikes against temporary deployment points of Ukrainian units in Preobrazhenka and Orekhov. On the eastern sector they are holding strong points on the western bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River and pressing the defenses. Assault groups have overcome a water obstacle and an anti-tank ditch on the Voskresenka–Barvinovka–Lyubitskoye line.

Further east, in the zone of the “Dnepr” grouping, the picture is different. Russian units continue to advance on a broad front. Fighting is under way near Primorskoye, Stepnogorsk, Lukyanovskoye, Pavlovka, Novoyakovlevka and Yurkovka. Active operations are also noted in the area of Orekhov and Preobrazhenka.

The Ukrainian side, attempting to hold the northern and western outskirts of Orekhov, is throwing reinforcements there. Units of the “East” grouping are already fighting on the outskirts of Omelnyk from the south-east and east. The aim is to reach the rear of the Orekhov–Preobrazhenka grouping. Further north, in the zone of the 5th Army, the preconditions for a broader envelopment are being created. Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino are under the control of Russian forces. Further south the situation remains complicated and reciprocal.  

Conclusion  

In the Sumy direction this is expressed in the pressing of defenses in the forest tracts and fighting near Kiyanitsa and Khoten. In the Kharkiv direction — in the tightening of the ring around the encircled grouping and the advance toward the center of the cauldron. In the Slavyansk direction — in the holding of key positions near Zarechnoye and Yampol and heavy fighting near Rai-Aleksandrovka. In the Zaporozhye direction — in advance on a broad front and attempting to reach the rear of the Orekhov–Preobrazhenka grouping. 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 leader of the party “Debout la France,” Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who is running for president of the country, stated that the European authorities’ rejection of Russian gas against the background of a rapid rise in fuel prices is comparable to economic and social suicide. “Gas prices continue to rise rapidly. This is a very concrete result of the European leaders’ refusal to establish peace in Ukraine and to lift the sanctions against Russia. This is economic and social suicide,” he wrote on the social network X.

As the politician noted, the price rise since the beginning of 2026 has amounted to 42.4% and continues to this day. “Meanwhile the economies of the United States and China are operating at full capacity, and gas there is four times cheaper,” he added.  

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Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Slavyansk direction, Ukrainian units in small groups are attempting to break through to the river near Yampol and slip into the Serebryansky forestry, while the situation in Krivaya Luka has been somewhat stabilised. In the Dobropolye direction, units of the 51st Army are developing the offensive in three parts of the town at once; Russian forces are advancing on a broad front along the Vesyoloye–Novotroitskoye line toward Andreyevka and are attempting to cut the Ukrainian grouping in Dobropolye into two parts. In the Sumy direction, assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance deeper into the region with heavy fighting. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units continue the destruction of the encircled forces in the northeast of the region; an attempt to break the encirclement ring by forces of the 475th Assault Regiment on “Kazak” armored vehicles has been repelled. In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops have stabilized the situation north of Kupyansk; control over Kupyansk-Uzlovoy is reported to have been established, and clearing of the territory and evacuation of local residents are under way. NATO and the EU are unsuccessfully attempting to persuade Greece and Spain to transfer to Ukraine PAC-2 interceptors with expiring service life.

Slavyansk direction  

Ukrainian units in small groups continue to break through to the river near Yampol; attempts to slip into the Serebryansky forestry are also recorded. The situation in Krivaya Luka has been somewhat stabilized. The eastern part of the village remains under Russian units, while the western part is a grey zone. Ukrainian units have not abandoned attempts to reach this village and from there further toward Kaleniki. However, given the complicated situation above the Seversky Donets River, the threat of a flanking strike against Russian positions remains, and the overall situation on the sector remains difficult.

Positional fighting is under way on the western outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka. Inside the village itself the situation is unchanged: new groups of Ukrainian units are being destroyed, yet several groups managed to slip in and dig in within the settlement. Fighting for Piskunovka continues. Approximately half of the village is under Russian units. Ukrainian units are counterattacking near Vasyutinskoye. Russian units thwarted an attempt by groups of Ukrainian units to enter the rear from the direction of Minkovka. They advanced westward, expanding the zone of control from Novomarkovo.

The Slavyansk direction remains tense: Ukrainian units in small groups are attempting to break through to the river near Yampol and slip into the Serebryansky forestry. The situation in Krivaya Luka has been stabilized — the eastern part of the village is under the control of Russian units. In the Krasny Liman direction Russian fighters are holding back the pressure along the Zherebets River.  

Dobropolye direction  

In Dobropolye units of the 51st Army are developing the offensive in three parts of the town at once. Drone operators are working against the territory of the Dobropolskaya mine. At the same time Russian forces continue to advance on a broad front along the Vesyoloye–Novotroitskoye line toward Andreyevka. From the south-east to the borders of Andreyevka approximately one kilometer remains.

In the area of Dobropolye Russian units are conducting a successful assault. The Ukrainian grouping has been taken into encirclement and is being cut into two parts. A fairly large amount of urban territory has already been captured. Ukrainian units are still present in the other half. The advance continues. Russian units have entered the central part of Dobropolye from the north-east and south-west. South of the town fighting is under way near Belitskoye, Svetloye and Krasnopodolye. The zone of control is expanding near Zolotoy Kolodets.

Ukrainian units are desperately attempting to break the encirclement ring through the north, via Novovodyanoye. They are attacking in the direction of Dobropolye. So far they have not succeeded. In Novovodyanoye, despite Ukrainian claims of full control, Russian positions exist. It is a layered situation. Stubborn fighting continues on the Zolotoy Kolodets line. An attack from two sides toward the Dobropolye cauldron is under way — through Novovodyanoye and through Zolotoy Kolodets toward Rubezhnoye.  

Sumy direction  

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance deeper into the Sumy region with heavy fighting, supported by aviation and strike-drone crews. Ukrainian units have taken no active actions and are replenishing mechanized units with new recruits. Recruits trained as artillerymen have arrived from training grounds in the Sumy region. All of them, however, were sent into the infantry because of the catastrophic shortage of personnel on the positions.

In the Sumy direction Russian troops have officially announced the capture of Kiyanitsa. Previous gains here — Mogritsa, Malaya Rybitsa — according to some data were not always confirmed. Troops are nevertheless attempting to advance virtually along the entire line of contact. In Shostka district, assault groups of Russian units have advanced near Korenok.  

Kharkiv direction  

Russian units continue the destruction of the encircled Ukrainian forces in the northeast of Kharkiv region. Ukrainian units have not abandoned attempts to break the encirclement ring from the outside. In the Liptsy direction Russian assault troops continue to advance near Tokarevka.

In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions Ukrainian units made an attempt to break the encirclement from the outside with two assault groups of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment on “Kazak” armored fighting vehicles from the area of Veliky Burluk. They achieved no success and withdrew to their starting positions with losses. In the northern part of Kharkiv region very complicated fighting is under way. Both sides are attempting to attack. Russian troops are trying to finish clearing the cauldron near Varvarovka and Reznikovka. Ukrainian units are attempting to break through there with forces of the 475th Assault Regiment in order to relieve their own forces. There is hope of finishing this cauldron and stabilizing the front. Then, relying on it, to move toward Bolshoy Burluk — already in the late-autumn or winter campaign.  

Kupyansk direction  

In the zone of the “West” grouping the triumphant statements from the Kyiv side have ended. The situation for Ukrainian units is becoming worse. Russian units are gradually arriving — in addition to drone operators, infantry. It will be possible to capture part of the positions that were previously lost, including in Liman, where units continue to fight in the southern and central parts of the city.

In the Kupyansk direction Russian troops have stabilized the situation north of Kupyansk. Near Dvurechnaya Ukrainian units, despite the commitment of reserves, have achieved no success. Russian units are gradually finishing the clearance of Ukrainian positions on the eastern bank of the Oskol south of Kupyansk. Reports are arriving from the Kupyansk front of the establishment of control over Kupyansk-Uzlovoy.

Clearing of the territory and evacuation of local residents are now under way. Fighting continues for positions and communications along the Oskol. On the left bank of Kupyansk clashes persist near Kovsharovka and Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. Positional fighting also continues inside Kupyansk itself. Russian units have advanced up to two kilometers and captured new positions on the southern approaches to the Zarechnaya part of the city.  

Conclusion  

In the Slavyansk direction this is expressed in the stabilization of Krivaya Luka and fighting for Piskunovka while the threat of a flanking strike remains. In the Dobropolye direction — in consolidation in the central part of the town and attempts to cut the encircled grouping. In the Sumy direction — in advance near Kiyanitsa and Korenok. In the Kharkiv direction — in the final clearance of the cauldron near Varvarovka and Reznikovka. In the Kupyansk direction — in the stabilization of the front and the establishment of control over Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. 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.

NATO and the EU are unsuccessfully attempting to persuade Greece and Spain to transfer to Ukraine their stocks of PAC-2 interceptors with expiring service life, the Telegraph reported. “NATO and EU officials are trying to persuade Greece and Spain to hand over Patriot PAC-2 interceptors whose service life is expiring to Ukraine,” the publication stated. However, as is clarified, Athens and Madrid are refusing to provide the interceptors. According to the newspaper, Greece has at least 200 PAC-2 missiles with expiring service life. The number of such interceptors held by Spain is unknown, although earlier this year it had promised to transfer missiles to Kyiv.  

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SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

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