In its recent report, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) documented that over the past few days, Ukraine's Defense Forces have managed to advance in the Sumy and Donetsk oblasts, as well as disrupt a number of offensive operations by the Russian Armed Forces. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an analytical report from the American institute. According to ISW assessment, Ukrainian troops have not only held the frontline but have also launched active counterattacks in several sectors, which is confirmed by geolocated video footage published in early November.
Restoring Control in Sumy Oblast
The most notable result of Ukrainian actions has been the restoration of control over positions or consolidation north of Sumy. This is evidenced by geolocated video footage from November 1, which records a Russian strike on a Ukrainian position southwest of Andriivka. Notably, Russian sources previously claimed control of this area by their troops, but new data indicates the presence of Ukrainian defenders in this sector.
Counterattacks in Kharkiv and Kupiansk Directions
In northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and southeast of Velykyi Burluk, Russian military personnel attempted to infiltrate Ukrainian positions. Geolocated video from November 2 confirms a Ukrainian strike on Russian positions south of Khrypuny, located northeast of Kharkiv; according to ISW, this was preceded by a Russian infiltration attempt. In the Kupiansk direction on November 2 and 3, Russian forces attacked but failed to advance, while Ukrainian defenders conducted counterattacks north of Kupiansk.
Unsuccessful Assaults in Lyman and Borova Sectors
In the Lyman direction on November 2 and 3, Russian forces continued assault operations in and around the city, but the attempts yielded no results, and Ukrainian forces counterattacked northeast and southeast of Lyman. According to a source affiliated with the Russian Western Grouping of Forces, on November 3 Russian forces continued their offensive in the Borova direction, while Ukrainian troops counterattacked northeast of Borova. Meanwhile, ISW has not found confirmation of Russian advances in this frontline sector.
Advance in Sloviansk Area and Activity Along Kazennyi Torets
ISW has discovered new evidence that Ukrainian troops previously advanced in Piskunivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka — settlements northeast and southeast of Sloviansk, respectively. Near Kostiantynivka and southwest of Druzhkivka, along the Kazennyi Torets River, Russian forces concentrated their attacks on November 2 and 3, but failed to make any headway in these areas.
Decrease in Attack Intensity in Dobropillia Direction
In the Dobropillia direction over the course of two days, Russian forces conducted fewer assaults than on any single day since at least August 1, 2026. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the occupiers launched a total of 13 attacks there on November 2 and 3. In the Novopavlivka direction on November 3, neither Russian nor Ukrainian sources reported ground combat, and in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole directions, Russian offensive operations produced no confirmed changes to the frontline.
