--- title: "ISW: Ukrainian Forces Advance in Sumy and Donetsk Oblasts and Disrupt Russian Offensive" description: "According to ISW, over the past day, Ukraine's Defense Forces have advanced in Sumy and Donetsk oblasts and disrupted several Russian army offensive operations along key frontline axes." date: 2026-11-04T08:04:59.226Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/isw-ukrainian-forces-advance-sumy-donetsk tags: [isw, ukraine-war, sumy-region, donetsk-region, frontline] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # ISW: Ukrainian Forces Advance in Sumy and Donetsk Oblasts and Disrupt Russian Offensive ![Ukrainian servicemen camouflage a surface-to-air missile system with camouflage net at a position](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/isu-vs-u-prodvynulisya-v-sumskoy-i-donetskoy-oblastyah/isu-vs-u-prodvynulisya-v-sumskoy-i-donetskoy-oblastyah-1.webp) ## Key Points - ISW recorded the advance of Ukrainian forces in Sumy and Donetsk oblasts and counterattacks across multiple directions. - Russian offensive operations in the Kupiansk, Lyman, and other directions yielded no confirmed results. - The Dobropillia direction saw the lowest number of attacks since August 1, 2026, with 13 attacks recorded on November 2–3. 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. ## Accounts differ ### Control over the area southwest of Andriivka (Sumy Oblast) - **Russian sources:** The area southwest of Andriivka is under the control of Russian troops. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html)) - **ISW:** Geolocated video footage from November 1 records a Ukrainian position in this area, indicating the presence of Ukrainian defenders. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html)) *Where they agree:* On November 1, a Russian strike on a Ukrainian position was recorded in this area. ### Russian advance in the Borova and Huliaipole directions - **Source affiliated with the Russian Western Grouping of Forces:** On November 3, Russian forces continued their offensive in the Borova direction. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html)) - **Russian milblogger:** On November 2, Russian forces advanced west of Horke (west of Huliaipole). ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html)) - **ISW:** No confirmation of Russian forces advancing in the Borova direction has been found; no confirmed frontline changes were recorded in the Huliaipole direction. ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html)) *Where they agree:* On November 2–3, Russian forces conducted offensive operations in these frontline sectors. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [ВСУ прорвались вперед сразу в двух областях, - ISW](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-dvoh-oblastyah-1793779136.html) - Primary source: ISW report relayed by RBC-Ukraine. Territorial assessments are based on geolocated video footage and open sources; some claims by Russian sources remain unconfirmed by ISW. ## FAQ ### In which oblasts did Ukrainian forces advance according to ISW? According to ISW assessment, Ukrainian troops advanced in Sumy and Donetsk oblasts, restoring or consolidating control over positions north of Sumy and in the Sloviansk area. ### What happened in the Dobropillia direction? On November 2–3, a minimal number of assaults since August 1, 2026, was recorded there — a total of 13 attacks, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ### Did ISW confirm Russian advances in the Borova direction? No. Although a source associated with the Russian Western Grouping of Forces claimed an offensive, ISW found no confirmation of Russian forces advancing in this sector.