05/09/2026
Ukrainian forces have recently advanced in the Slavyansk direction, while Russian forces have continued to make attempts to infiltrate Ukrainian positions. Russian activity has also been recorded: they have made limited advances east of Dobropillya in the direction of Hannivka, near Novy Shakhov and Toretske, near Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka, but have not advanced.
This was noted in ISW. Russian troops may be preparing the battlefield for future mechanized attacks in this direction.
What is known
Ukrainian troops in the Slavyansk direction advanced.
“Geolocation footage released on May 7 shows Russian forces striking Ukrainian positions in northern Dibrov, Kramatorsk district (south of Lyman) and near the T-0513 Siversk-Lyman highway northwest of Dibrov, indicating that Ukrainian forces have recently advanced in eastern and northern Dibrov.”
Geolocation footage shows Ukrainian troops striking Russian positions in western Dibrov, Bakhmut district (southeast of Sloviansk) after Russian attempts to infiltrate.
Russian forces may be preparing the battlefield for future mechanized attacks in the Slavyansk direction, especially with the onset of warmer spring weather. The chief of staff of the air defense battalion operating in the Slavyansk and Kramatorsk directions said that Russian attacks in the area have decreased.
Russian forces have recently infiltrated southern Kostyantynivka, continuing their offensives within the city and to the north, northeast, southeast, and south of it.
“Geolocation videos published on May 8 show Ukrainian forces striking Russian servicemen along the T-0504 Pokrovsk-Konstantinivka highway south of Kostantinivka after what ISW assessed was a Russian infiltration mission,” the report says.
Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions near Kostyantynivka in areas that the Russians have claimed are occupied. Geolocation video footage shows Russian forces striking Ukrainian positions in southern Novodmytrivka (north of Kostyantynivka) and southern Kostyantynivka.
Russian forces also made limited advances east of Dobropillya towards Hannivka, near Novy Shakhov and Toretske, but did not advance.
In addition, on May 7 and 8, Russian forces continued ground offensives near Pokrovsk and to the north, northwest, and southwest of it, but did not advance. It is noted that Russian forces are trying to use vegetation and heat-shielding cloaks to avoid strikes by Ukrainian drones. They are also using motorcycles to move between Ukrainian lines and are trying to bring artillery closer to the front line.
On 7 and 8 May, Russian forces continued ground offensives near Novopavlivka, but made no progress. Russian forces also continued offensive operations to the southeast and east of Oleksandrivka, while Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Piddubne (east of Oleksandrivka) and Zeleny Gay (northeast of Oleksandrivka).
As OBOZ.UA reported, Ukrainian servicemen have destroyed all Russian positions in the center of Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. After several months of fighting, the Defense Forces eliminated a group of approximately 20 Russian invaders in one blow.
In order to cut this dead, Ukraine are going to need a lot of kit. I hope the message has been conveyed to Europe.
To stop an advance, they need lots of things.
But I would have thought that cluster munitions are a very high priority.
Where to obtain them?
I don’t know.
Apparently some JDAMS (ASM’s) have arrived in kit form. They should be ready soon. That should help a bit.