--- title: "ISW: On Nov 3–4, AFU thwarted Russian offensive operations on several front line sectors" description: "According to ISW, on Nov 3–4, Russian forces attempted to attack various parts of the front, but the AFU disrupted these operations. Peak activity was in the Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka direction." date: 2026-11-05T07:23:01.239Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/isw-afu-thwarted-russian-offensive-nov-3-4 tags: [ukraine-war, isw, russian-army, frontline, sumy-region, zaporizhzhia] author: "Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # ISW: On Nov 3–4, AFU thwarted Russian offensive operations on several front line sectors ![A Russian tank maneuvers through deep mud on the front line during combat operations](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/isw-vsu-sorvali-nastuplenie-rf-3-4-noyabrya-2026/isw-vsu-sorvali-nastuplenie-rf-3-4-noyabrya-2026-1.webp) ## Key Points - On November 3–4, 2026, Russian forces attacked several directions but made no progress due to AFU counterattacks. - Highest intensity: Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka direction, with 24 assaults in two days according to the AFU General Staff. - Intensity of attacks in the Dobropillia direction decreased compared to the period since August 1, 2026. - A source associated with the Russian Western Group of Forces denied the capture of Zarichne, calling it a contested zone. On November 3–4, 2026, Russian forces attempted offensives on several front line sectors; however, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully thwarted these operations. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the latest ISW analytical report, which documents both the directions where attacks were repelled and sectors where the intensity of combat operations shifted compared to the previous period. ### North of Sumy Region and Lyman Sector In the north of the Sumy region, Russian units continued offensive actions on November 3 and 4 but failed to make progress due to counterattacks by Ukrainian forces northeast of Sumy. According to a source covering the activities of the Russian Northern Group of Forces, assaults were intensified in the direction of Myropillia on November 4. Meanwhile, in the northeastern Lyman sector, a source associated with the Russian Western Group of Forces refuted reports of Russian control over Zarichne, describing the settlement as a contested area where units are attempting to gain a foothold. ### The East: Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostiantynivka East of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, attacks on November 3–4 also resulted in no progress: Ukrainian defenders carried out counterattacks along the southern bank of the Siverskyi Donets river and southeast of Sloviansk. Russian forces showed the greatest activity in the Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka direction—according to the General Staff of the AFU, 24 assaults were carried out there over two days, which was the highest number of attacks in a single direction for the specified period. ### Dobropillia and the Southern Front In the neighboring Dobropillia direction, the intensity of attacks decreased: previously, at least since August 1, 2026, the main efforts were concentrated there. On November 3–4, offensive actions continued, but no advance was made due to counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. In southern Ukraine, Russian troops attacked in the Huliaipole direction and in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region, but were unable to advance; Ukrainian defenders, in turn, conducted counterattacks south of Orikhiv. ### Context: AFU breakthroughs and night attack The ISW report comes amid previously reported breakthroughs by the Ukrainian Defense Forces in two regions simultaneously, which points to reciprocal offensive efforts by both sides. Furthermore, on the night of November 5, a new AFU attack on Russian territory was recorded, the consequences of which became known on the day the report was published. Collectively, the data for November 3–4 confirm a situation where Russian offensive operations in most directions were thwarted by counterattacks. ## Accounts differ ### Control over Zarichne (Lyman northeast) - **Authors of initial reports of capture:** Claimed that Russian control had been established over Zarichne. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-zirvali-odrazu-kilka-nastupalnih-operatsiy-1793862049.html)) - **Source associated with Russian Western Group of Forces:** Refutes the establishment of Russian control, calling the settlement a contested zone where units are attempting to gain a foothold. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-zirvali-odrazu-kilka-nastupalnih-operatsiy-1793862049.html)) *Where they agree:* Zarichne is located in the northeastern sector of Lyman and is the site of active combat where sides are trying to gain a foothold. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [ВСУ сорвали сразу несколько наступательных операций армии РФ, - ISW](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-zirvali-odrazu-kilka-nastupalnih-operatsiy-1793862049.html) - Primary source: ISW report on combat operations on Nov 3–4, 2026 by sector (Sumy, Lyman, Sloviansk/Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Dobropillia, south). The status of Zarichne is disputed by a Western Group source — accounted for as a caveat. ## FAQ ### Where did Russian forces show the most activity on November 3–4? According to the AFU General Staff, 24 assaults took place in the Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka direction over two days, the maximum for a single direction during this period. ### Did Russian forces manage to advance in southern Ukraine? No. Attacks in the Huliaipole direction and the western Zaporizhzhia region on Nov 3–4 did not lead to any advance; Ukrainian forces counterattacked south of Orikhiv. ### What is the status of Zarichne (northeast of Lyman)? A source linked to the Russian Western Group of Forces refuted reports of Russian control over the village, labeling it a contested zone where units are struggling to solidify their position.