Main points
- On May 9, Ukrainian troops counterattacked in several directions, which led to the failure of Russian offensive operations.
- Russian troops continued limited offensives in various directions, including northeast of Kostyantynivka and in Zaporizhia Oblast, but were unable to advance.
Situation at the front / Collage of Channel 24, photo of the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade, ISW map
The Institute for the Study of War published a report on the situation on the front as of May 9. Analysts also updated maps of combat operations.
This is reported by ISW.
What is the situation at the front?
- On May 9, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the north of Sumy Oblast , while Ukrainian troops counterattacked in the area.
By the way , in the Sumy direction, the Russians are constantly trying to get ahead at least somewhere, but they are being successfully eliminated. This was told to Channel 24 by the commander of company 425 of the separate battalion of unmanned systems “Eyes” with the call sign “Diver”. Also, on the eve of the parade in Moscow, Russian drones scattered fake banknotes with propaganda QR codes and leaflets about “joint victory” throughout the region.
- It is reported that Ukrainian troops continue to maintain their presence in the Kursk region . Commander-in-Chief Syrsky reported on May 8 that Ukrainian troops are present in unspecified locations in the region.
- Ukrainian defenders recently advanced in the northern Kharkiv region north of Starytsia. This happened during an assault operation in April and May. On May 9, Russian troops continued their offensive in the north of the region, despite the declared “truce.” The occupiers tried to cross the river and improve their positions and logistics.
- On May 9, neither Russian nor Ukrainian troops reported any ground activity in the direction of Velyky Burluk .
- At the same time, the Russians continued limited offensive operations in the Kupyansk direction , but did not advance.
By the way, a spokesman for the Ukrainian brigade stated that on the eve of May 9, the Russians intensified their activities, probably to demonstrate their successes on the battlefield. However, they did not carry out large group or mechanized assaults.
- Ukrainian forces have recently advanced towards Borovaya . Geolocation footage, likely from May 7, shows the occupiers shelling Ukrainian positions near road O-131307 northwest of Nadiya (east of Borovaya), indicating that there are likely no Russians near Ukrainian positions.
- Russian forces infiltrated east of Sloviansk as Ukrainian forces reportedly counterattacked. Geolocation footage shows them raising flags in Krivoy Rog, east of Sloviansk.
- The Russians also infiltrated northeast of Kostyantynivka , and Ukrainian forces counterattacked in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
- Ukrainian troops counterattacked in the Dobropillya tactical area on May 9.
- Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Pokrovsky direction , but did not advance as Ukrainian troops counterattacked.
Please note that in total, in April, the occupiers in this direction lost more than 1,700 people killed and approximately 400 wounded, Danylo Borysenko, head of intelligence of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division of the Rubizh brigade, told Channel 24.
Situation at the front / ISW maps
- The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Ukrainian troops counterattacked in the Novopavlovsk direction on May 9.
- On May 9, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the Oleksandrivka direction , Ukrainian troops counterattacked in this area.
- Enemy infiltration northwest of Hulyaipol . Geolocation footage released on May 8 shows Ukrainian forces striking a Russian-occupied building in southern Verkhnyaya Tersa northwest of Hulyaipol, in what ISW assessed was an infiltration mission.
- The invaders also conducted offensive operations in the west of the Zaporizhia region.
- On May 9, they continued limited ground attacks east of Kherson towards Antonivka, but made no progress.
Front news
Viktor Tregubov, head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Group, stated on May 7 that Russia has already begun its spring-summer offensive. The enemy is currently in a phase of resource accumulation, not resource consumption. How events will develop in the summer will depend on this.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Zelensky expects another offensive in the summer months. Political strategist Taras Zagorodny also noted to Channel 24 that the Kremlin is preparing to continue offensive actions in the summer. However, Putin is afraid of openly announcing mobilization.
It is known that Russia has transferred the 90th Tank Division to Pokrovsk for offensive operations. The occupiers are trying to break through to Rodynske and capture Hryshyne. Also, the National Guard soldiers broke through the Russian defenses in the Vovchansky direction. Ukrainian military and foreign volunteers took part in this operation.
And ISW noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are using drones to strike Russian logistics in the rear. This could complicate Russian supplies. This tactic has already proven effective during operations to liberate territories and could support future counteroffensives by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.