According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as published in its report and reported by RBC-Ukraine, over the past few days Russian occupiers have attempted to break through defenses on various frontline sectors, but the Ukrainian defense forces responded in a timely manner. In northern Sumy Oblast, the enemy conducted only limited offensive operations and failed to advance. Similarly, Russian attacks in northern Kharkiv Oblast and northeast of Hrodeka (Velykyi Burluk area) also proved unsuccessful.
Kupiansk direction and Ukrainian counterattacks
On the Kupiansk direction, the Russians also carried out limited offensive actions but achieved no success. Ukrainian forces, in turn, launched a counterattack near Zaporizhzhia (Zapadne) north of Kupiansk. In addition, the AFU continued to strike mid-range targets at Russian military facilities in the occupied part of Luhansk Oblast, undermining the enemy's rear infrastructure.
Contradictory data
There are significant discrepancies in assessments of the situation in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. The Russian side claimed the encirclement of Ukrainian units and the capture of the settlements of Dovzhanka, Vasylivka, and Blahodatne. Ukrainian military officials refute these claims: on September 11, the spokesperson for the brigade defending the area stated that the territory remains a disputed “gray zone” and is not fully controlled by either side. ISW analysts additionally note that Russian sources exaggerate the scale of advances toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and that heightened activity in northern Kharkiv Oblast may create an inflated impression of occupier successes ahead of the Russian State Duma elections.
Logistics hubs as a problem for the occupiers
Konstantynivka remains a separate challenge for Russian forces: full control over the city has still not been established, which hampers the creation of stable supply lines and prevents further advance to the north of it. On other frontline sectors — in the Dobropillia area, on the Orikhiv and Huliaipole directions, as well as in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast — Russian offensive operations also proceeded without confirmed territorial gains.
Zaporizhzhia direction and the overall picture
On the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian forces are attempting to create conditions for the encirclement of Orikhiv and to cut off the Ukrainian logistics routes supplying this city. Overall, according to the ISW review, over the past day the enemy recorded no stable territorial gains on most sectors, while the Ukrainian side not only held its defenses but also intensified counterattacks and strikes on the rear. It was previously reported that Russian army losses in the war have exceeded several previous records, further indicating the high cost of offensive operations for the occupiers.
