The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that its forces have taken control of Novaya Kruglyakovka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. The statement came alongside reports of what officials described as a precision strike targeting infrastructure at a Ukrainian military airfield overnight.
According to retired colonel and pro-Russian military analyst Andrei Marochko, the eastern front has devolved into a brutal slog. Speaking on a radio broadcast, he said Russian troops are locked in heavy fighting near Kupiansk, hitting a wall of well-entrenched Ukrainian positions northeast of the city.
Marochko described these defenses as so dense and strategically placed that they are effectively grinding any direct Russian advance to a halt.
“We are now approaching the city from the north,” Marochko said. “Our forces have made significant progress northwest of Kupiansk and are clearing several nearby settlements.”
He added that Russian units had reached elevated terrain between Radkivka and Holubivka. From those positions, Kupiansk is within visible range.
“Having seized these heights, we can now press forward on the northern flank of Kupiansk,” he said.
While Russian forces have reportedly not yet entered the city itself, Marochko stated they were operating in the outskirts.
According to him, Ukrainian troops face difficulties maintaining their fortifications despite months of preparation. Russian air and artillery strikes, including the use of glide bombs and guided munitions, are supporting the advance.
“Less than a kilometer remains,” he claimed. “Even Ukrainian media admit that.”
Southern Sector and Chasiv Yar
Marochko also commented on developments further south, including activity in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
He said Russian troops recently entered the village of Udachne and are fighting for control of surrounding areas. The village of Novoserhiivka, southwest of Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmiisk), was also named as newly secured.
He pointed out the tough terrain in the area. Ukrainian troops reportedly still hold the high ground in Molodetske, but Russian forces are trying to force them out.
“We are moving upward from Novoserhiivka,” Marochko explained. “Our objective is to eliminate threats from those elevated positions.”
There was also mention of movement near Huliaipole and continuing clashes in the Krasnoliman sector, which spans from Svatove to Kreminna.
Broader Operational Goals
Speaking on strategic outlooks, Marochko emphasized the importance of Kupiansk as a supply hub.
“This is a logistics center,” he said. “Railways and highways pass through it. If we take it, we disrupt supplies to multiple Ukrainian groups.”
Asked whether Russian forces might move toward Kharkiv, he did not rule it out.
He also repeated calls for a so-called buffer zone to secure Russian territories from Ukrainian strikes.
“To truly stop the shelling of Russian and allied regions, we need to push back the line,” he said. “In my view, that zone ends at the Polish border.”
No Independent Confirmation
So, should we believe these latest claims? No one can say for certain. Ukraine hasn’t admitted to losing ground and strongly denies that Russia has captured Kupiansk.
What analysts will tell you is that this fits the recent pattern perfectly: a lot of small-scale fighting, but no game-changers.
The front line is a mess, constantly shifting based on who has the advantage in terrain or supplies that day. The bottom line? The fighting just grinds on, everywhere, with no sign it’s stopping anytime soon.
