--- title: "Ukrainian forces advance in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts: ISW records counterattacks and strikes on Russian rear areas" description: "According to ISW, over two days the Ukrainian forces advanced in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, counterattacked on the Redkodub–Nove sector, and struck Russian rear targets. Kyiv refuted the capture of Nove Konstantynivka." date: 2026-08-26T07:20:03.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ua-forces-advance-in-sumy-and-kharkiv-oblasts-isw tags: [ukraine-war, isw, sumy-region, kharkiv-region, vsu, front-line] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ukrainian forces advance in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts: ISW records counterattacks and strikes on Russian rear areas ![Ukrainian soldier in camouflage holding a helmet in front of military vehicles during counteroffensives in Sumy and Kharkiv regions](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/26/vsu-prodvignulisya-v-sumskoy-i-harkivskoy-oblastyah-isw/vsu-prodvignulisya-v-sumskoy-i-harkivskoy-oblastyah-isw-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Over two days, Ukrainian forces advanced north of Kupyansk and in the direction of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast. - On 25 August, Ukrainian troops counterattacked on the Redkodub–Nove sector in Sumy Oblast. - Kyiv refuted the Russian Defense Ministry's claim of capturing Nove Konstantynivka north of Sumy. - Ukrainian forces hit a Peresvit-M electronic warfare system in Luhansk and a freight train west of Rybinske, 77 km from the front line. 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. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Ukrainian forces break through on several front directions at once, - ISW](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zsu-prorvalisya-vpered-odrazu-kilkoh-napryamkah-1787728643.html) - Единственный источник: РБК-Украина со ссылкой на отчет ISW. Продвижение в Харьковской области подано как вероятное по геолокации; статус Новоконстантиновки противоречит заявлению Минобороны РФ, что отражено в отдельном блоке. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Where exactly did the Ukrainian forces advance over the past two days? **A:** According to ISW, north of Kupyansk — in the northern part of Zakhidne and southwest of Dvorichna — as well as in the direction of Borova (most likely Katerynivka, Nove, east of Novomikhailivka, and holding Nove Myro). In Sumy Oblast, a counterattack was carried out on the Redkodub–Nove sector. ### Q: Did Russia capture Nove Konstantynivka north of Sumy? **A:** The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on 24 August that the settlement had been captured, but on 25 August the Ukrainian Kursk grouping of forces refuted this, stating that it remains under Ukrainian control. ISW notes the absence of any confirmed Russian advance in this area. ### Q: Which Russian targets did the Ukrainian forces hit on 25 August? **A:** There are reports of hitting a Peresvit-M electronic warfare system in occupied Luhansk and an attack on a freight train west of occupied Rybinske in Donetsk Oblast — approximately 77 km from the front line.