01/16/2026
Ukrainian forces have recently advanced near Kupyansk , Sloviansk, and on the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical direction. In contrast, Russian invaders have had success on the Pokrovske direction.
However, in most areas of the front, not even the slightest changes were recorded. The situation was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Sumy region
Analysts noted that on January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the north of Sumy region, but did not advance.
Over the past two days, the occupiers have attacked both in Kursk and Sumy regions , in particular north of the city of Sumy near Kindrativka, Oleksiivka, and Andriivka , as well as northeast of Sumy near Yunakivka .
One of the Russian military intelligence officers, meanwhile, claimed that Ukrainian troops counterattacked near Yunakivka and Andriivka.
Russian Z-propaganda not only “captured” Komarivka in Sumy Oblast (east of Hlukhiv, marked as a “gray zone” on the DeepState map), but also called it the opening of a “new active sector of the front.”
“ISW continues to assess that Russian attacks in previously inactive areas of Sumy Oblast, such as Komarivka, are part of a broader cognitive warfare effort aimed at misrepresenting Russian forces as opening a new front in northern Ukraine as Ukrainian defenses “collapse ,” the analysts noted.
Meanwhile, a military blogger associated with the Russian grouping of troops “North” complained about the inability of the occupiers to systematically evacuate wounded servicemen from Alekseevka and Yunakivka . They only extract bodies when conditions on the battlefield allow . Thus, according to this Z-blogger, it took Russian troops more than a week to evacuate a mortally wounded serviceman of the 119th Airborne Regiment (106th Airborne Division) of the Russian Armed Forces from Yunakivka.
Kharkiv direction
On January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv region, but did not achieve confirmed progress.
Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers claimed that Russian troops had advanced into the central part of Vovchanske Khutory and to the northern outskirts of Symynivka (northeast of Kharkiv).
On January 14 and 15, Russian troops advanced northeast of the city of Kharkiv near Vovchansk, Starytsia, Tykhy, Zeleny, Vovchansky Khutor, Lyman, Symynivka, and Prylypki , as well as in the direction of Izbitsky, Krughly, and Grafsky.
Velykoburlutsk direction
Also on January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations southeast of Velikiy Burluk near Dvorichansky, but did not advance.
Kupyansky direction
Ukrainian troops have recently advanced in the Kupyansk direction.
Geolocation videos released on January 15 confirmed the Defense Forces’ advance north of the city .
Russian forces have attacked near Kupyansk itself in the last two days ; east of Kupyansk near Podoli and towards Petropavlivka ; southeast of Kupyansk towards Pishchane and Kurylivka ; and south of Kupyansk near Kupyansk-Vuzlovye .
Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on January 15 that Russian troops were trying to break through along the eastern bank of the Oskil River towards eastern Kupyansk from Lyman Pershy (northeast of Kupyansk).
Mashovets reported that Russian troops were holding positions in the center of Kupyansk near the Kupyansk Medical College, the central market, and Tsyurupy Street . He also added that units of the Russian 68th Motorized Rifle Division (6th Combined Arms Army, 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Guards Tank Army), and probably one regiment of the 47th Tank Division (1st GTA) had regrouped forces in the Kupyansk direction and were trying to advance to the bridge over the Oskil River east of the central market, where a large group of surrounded Russian troops were operating.
Mashovets stated that small Russian infiltration groups occasionally try to infiltrate through Golubivka (north of Kupyansk) along the Oskil River to Kupyansk , but Ukrainian forces prevent such infiltrations.
Boriv direction
On January 14 and 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the direction of Borovaya and southeast of Borovaya near Karpivka, but did not advance.
Slavic direction
Instead, Ukrainian troops have recently advanced in the Slavyansk direction.
Footage capturing the advance of the Defense Forces in the center of Svyato-Pokrovsky (east of Sloviansk) was published on January 15.
Geolocation footage released on January 15 shows Ukrainian forces attacking Russian positions in the center of Dibrova after ISW assessed that the Russian infiltration mission had not changed control of the area or the front line of the combat zone . Mashovets reported that same day that Russian forces were infiltrating from Derylove to the outskirts of Drobysheve (northwest of Liman).
Interestingly, geolocation videos published on January 15 also helped expose the Russian lie about another “victory” : they show Russian troops striking Ukrainian positions on the eastern outskirts of the Lyman – in the area where, according to Russian claims, the occupiers “hold their positions.”
Without any confirmation, Russian Z-bloggers claimed that the occupiers were advancing northeast of Tetyanivka , east of Pryshyb (both northwest of Liman), west and south of Dibrova (southeast of Liman), and into the southern part of Ozerne (east of Sloviansk).
Russian forces attacked near the Lyman itself ; northwest of the Lyman near Novoselivka and Drobyshev and towards Sviatohirsk ; north of the Lyman near Stavki ; east of the Lyman near Zarichny and Torske ; southeast of the Lyman near Dibrova ; east of Sloviansk near Siversk, Zakitny, Ozerny and Svyato-Pokrovsky and towards Riznykivka ; and southeast of Sloviansk near Vasyukivka, Nikiforivka and Fedorivka .
On January 15, Mashovets reported that the Russian military command appears to be intensifying efforts to break through to the Oleksandrivka-Yarova line (northwest of Liman) in order to block the road leading from Liman to Izyum .
According to the observer’s estimates, Russian troops were unable to consolidate their positions in Novoselyovka and Drobysheve.
Mashovets also claimed that advanced Russian units had actually reached the Dibrova-Ozerne line and were attacking from Zarichne (northeast of Dibrova), trying to outflank Ukrainian forces in Stavky (northwest of Zarichne). However, he added, Russian forces did not appear to have firm control over Dibrova and Ozerne .
Mashovets stated that the immediate goal of the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces is to capture the Novoselivka – Drobysheve – Pryshyb – Yarova area northwest of Liman, while the 25th Combined Arms Army is concentrating its efforts north, east, and southeast of Liman .
The observer noted that the 25th Army is trying to indirectly push Ukrainian troops out of Stavki from the south and southeast , but there is a possibility that they will be pushed into the main direction of the 20th Army’s offensive northwest of Liman, which will significantly complicate its conduct of hostilities.
The commander of one of the Ukrainian drone battalions operating in the Sloviansk direction reported on January 15 that Russian troops continue to use infiltration tactics by small groups to attack Dronivka from several directions simultaneously . According to the military, Russian troops are trying to cross the Seversky Donets River and gain a foothold in positions on the outskirts of Platonovka (east of Sloviansk).
The commander stated that Ukrainian troops are keeping all roads leading to Dronivka under fire control – and this makes it difficult for Russian troops to attack the settlement with heavy equipment.
Tactical direction Kostyantynivka – Druzhkivka
Ukrainian soldiers recently advanced on the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical direction.
Geolocation videos published on January 14 show the advance of the Defense Forces in the southwestern part of Predtechyny (east of Kostyantynivka).
Meanwhile, Z-propagandists, without confirmation , claimed that the occupiers were advancing south of Berestok (south of Kostyantynivka.
Russian troops attacked near and within Kostyantynivka itself ; north of Kostyantynivka towards Viroliubivka ; northeast of Kostyantynivka in the area of Minkivka, Markovoye and on Pryvillye ; southeast of Kostyantynivka near Oleksandro-Shultyny ; south of Kostyantynivka near Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillya, Shcherbinivka ; south of Druzhkivka near Rusyny Yar ; and southwest of Druzhkivka in the area of Sofiivka and on Toretske and Novopavlivka.
Mashovets reported on January 15 that Russian troops had concentrated their efforts in the Konstantinivka direction on settlements southeast of the city, attacking Berestok, Stepanivka (southwest of Konstantinivka), Pleshchiivka, and Ivanopillya in groups of two or three soldiers without equipment 10-12 times a day .
He reported that Russian forces had achieved some success with this tactic northeast of Kostyantynivka and had advanced from Chasovy Yar (northeast of Kostyantynivka) to Stinki (north of Kostyantynivka) to within one kilometer, but were unable to consolidate their position .
Mashovets also added that Russian troops are trying to surround Konstantinovka, but cannot concentrate the number of forces necessary to increase the intensity of attacks to advance inland . The Russian military command, according to his estimates, is preparing for a massive penetration and full-scale assault on Konstantinovka , but Russian troops currently do not have the combat capabilities for such an assault.
Dobropil direction
On January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Dobropillya tactical area, but did not advance.
On January 14 and 15, Russian troops attacked east of Dobropillya in the area of Toretskoye and Novyy Shakhovye , as well as southeast of Dobropillya in the area of Zapovednye and Dorozhnye.
Pokrovsky direction
Russian troops have recently advanced in the Pokrovskoye direction.
Geolocation video footage released on January 14 suggests that Russian forces have recently advanced along the Donetsk Railway northwest of Svetly (northeast of Pokrovsk).
Without any confirmation, Russian Z-bloggers claimed the alleged occupation of the settlement of Sukhetske (northeast of Pokrovsk) and the advance west of it.
On January 14 and 15, Russian forces attacked near and within Pokrovsk itself ; north of Pokrovsk near Rodynske ; east of Pokrovsk near Myrnograd ; southwest of Pokrovsk near Kotlyne, Udachny, and Molodetsky ; and northwest of Pokrovsk near Hryshynske .
An officer from one of the Ukrainian brigades operating in the Pokrovskoye direction reported that Russian troops were penetrating Rodynske , and that the Russian military command was rotating brigades, withdrawing those that had suffered heavy losses. The defender noted that during infiltrations, the occupiers were carrying antennas and transmitters to equip the positions of drone pilots . According to him, better-trained infantry groups had portable electronic warfare (EW) systems .
The head of intelligence of another Ukrainian brigade operating in the Pokrovskoye direction stated on January 15 that Russian troops are using armored vehicles, civilian vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles to quickly reach the front line and have increased the use of Molniya drones . The goal of the occupiers, he said, is to advance to Hryshyne.
Novopavlivskyi direction
On January 14 and 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations near Novopavlivka and south of Novopavlivka near Filia, but did not advance.
Oleksandrivskyi direction
On January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Aleksandrovka direction, but did not advance.
On January 14 and 15, Russian forces attacked northeast of Oleksandrivka near Ivanivka and Andriivka-Klevtsovoye , north of Oleksandrivka near Zlagoda , and southeast of Oleksandrivka and Sichneve near Vyshneve.
According to one of the Z-bloggers, Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Ivanovka.
The commander of the drone battalion operating in the Oleksandrivka direction reported on January 15 that Russian troops continue to use infiltration tactics by small groups for attacks on this section of the front.
Hulyaipil direction
On January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Hulyaipil direction, but did not advance.
Russian forces attacked near and within Hulyaipol itself ; northwest of Hulyaipol near Novy Zaporizhzhia, Svyatopetrivka, and Dobropillya and towards Olenokostyantynivka, Zhovtneve, Tsvitkove, Rizdvyanka, and Ternuvaty ; north of Hulyaipol near Zelenye ; and northeast of Hulyaipol near Solodke .
Russian military bloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Hulyaipol, Kosivtsevo (northwest of Hulyaipol) , and Bratske (north of Hulyaipol).
Orikhiv direction
On January 15, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the west of Zaporizhia region, but did not achieve confirmed progress.
Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers claimed that the occupiers had advanced to western Novoyakovlivka and western Pavlivka (both northwest of Orekhov), as well as east of Lukyanivske (west of Orekhov).
Russian troops advanced southeast of Orekhov near Malaya Tokmachka ; west of Orekhov near Stepnohirsk, Stepovoye, Pavlovka, Novodanylivka, Novoandreivka ; and northwest of Orekhov in the area of Primorske and Lukyanivka and on Veselyanka, Richne, Novoyakovlivka, Novoboykivske, and Magdalinivka.
Ukrainian forces , according to Russian sources, counterattacked near Primorske.
Prydniprovsky direction
Neither Ukrainian nor Russian sources reported any ground activity in the Kherson direction on January 15.
Previously, OBOZ.UA reported that ISW analysts concluded from the Russian dictator’s latest statements that “Putin’s goals are not limited to Ukraine,” and he seeks to destroy the West’s security architecture.
It was also reported that ISW explained what was behind the cross-border attacks by Russian troops on the Sumy and Kharkiv regions . And this is not only about the seizure of Ukrainian land.