Over the past two days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have recorded forward advances on several sections of the front in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. This is evidenced by a fresh report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which RBC-Ukraine cites with reference to geolocation data and open sources. Analysts emphasize that Russian offensive operations in northern Sumy Oblast on 24–25 August did not lead to any confirmed advance, whereas Ukrainian units, by contrast, improved their positions.
Advance in Kharkiv Oblast
North of Kupyansk, Ukrainian troops liberated the northern part of the settlement of Zakhidne and advanced southwest of Dvorichna. Separate successes have been recorded in the direction of Borova: according to geolocation data, the Ukrainian forces most likely regained control of Katerynivka and Nove, advanced east of Novomikhailivka, and continue to hold Nove Myro. These movements indicate that the Ukrainian side is not only defending but is also actively redrawing the line of contact in its favor in this sector.
Counterattacks in Sumy Oblast
On 25 August, Ukrainian troops launched a counterattack on the Redkodub–Nove sector, striking Russian positions from the north and attempting to halt the enemy's further advance. Meanwhile, according to the Ukrainian Kursk grouping of forces, Nove Konstantynivka (formerly Perше Tравnya / First of May) north of Sumy remains under Ukrainian control. Thus, Kyiv refuted the Russian Defense Ministry's statement of 24 August about the alleged capture of this settlement. As of 25 August, new Russian offensive operations had failed on several directions at once.
Strikes on Russian rear infrastructure
Ukraine continued striking Russian military infrastructure. On 25 August, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported hitting a Russian Peresvit-M electronic warfare system in occupied Luhansk. On the occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast, an attack on a Russian freight train was recorded west of occupied Rybinske — approximately 77 km from the front line. These strikes evidence the continuation of a campaign to hit the enemy's rear and logistical targets deep within the occupied territories.
Contradictory data
The key discrepancy between the versions concerns the status of Nove Konstantynivka (Perше Tравnya) north of Sumy. According to the Russian Defense Ministry's statement of 24 August, the settlement was allegedly captured by Russian troops. However, on 25 August the Ukrainian Kursk grouping of forces directly refuted this information, stating that the settlement remains under Ukrainian control. ISW analysts, for their part, note that Russian offensive operations in northern Sumy Oblast on 24–25 August did not yield any confirmed advance, since Ukrainian units had recently advanced or were holding positions in this area. Thus, the version of the settlement's capture by the Russian side is not currently corroborated by independent data.
ISW analysts' assessment
US analysts draw the conclusion: on 24 and 25 August, Russian forces continued offensive operations in northern Sumy Oblast but achieved no confirmed advance, whereas Ukrainian forces in this area either advanced or held their positions. The body of data — from geolocation of counterattacks in Kharkiv Oblast to strikes on rear infrastructure — paints a picture in which the initiative on certain sections of the front over the past two days has shifted to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
