Kharkiv region faces new challengesAt the moment, the highly publicized offensive in Sumy region has finally stalled, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are gradually pushing the occupying Russian troops back toward the border. That is why the Russian command is creating new threat points almost along the entire perimeter of the border in the Kharkiv region in order to disperse Ukrainian resources. In particular, new assaults near Vovchansk have changed the front line here for the first time in a year. The Russian troops managed to cross the Vovcha River on the northwestern outskirts of the town and launched an offensive against the butter plant, which is currently under attack. At the same time, they are pressing on neighboring sections of the front, looking for weaknesses in Ukraine's long-exhausted defense line. Just a month ago, it was said that the Ukrainian Defense Forces were barely holding back the Russians in the area of Vovchanski Khutory village. Therefore, negative changes are likely to occur there as well.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoRussian subversive groups also attempted to cross the border near Dehtiarne and expanded their control zone by several hundred meters from Mylove to Ambarne.To the north of Dvorichna, the occupying Russian forces advanced 1-2 km west on the 4-kilometer stretch of frontline between Kamianka and Krasne Pershne, capturing a large forest area. Fighting is currently underway for the village of Krasne.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoHowever, the real threat is the Russian advance to the northern outskirts of Kupiansk on the right bank of the Oskil River. There, they captured the village of Radkivka and cut the road to Kupiansk from Velykyi Burluk, one of the most important logistical arteries. At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to throw the Russian units out of Kindrashivka, which would significantly slow down their offensive on Kupiansk. Moreover, the Russian frontal attacks on the town from Holubivka and Senkivka are currently being successfully repelled. Velykyi Burluk and Kupiansk are priority targets in the second phase of the Russian summer offensive.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoOverall, while the Kharkiv front has become more active along a broad stretch, each axis rarely sees more than 10 combat engagements per day — whereas on a narrow section of the Sumy front, there are typically over 20 daily.Fighting is approaching KostiantynivkaOver the past week, the occupying Russian forces managed to advance several kilometers in two frontline areas around Kostiantynivka. In particular, in the eastern section of the front, the Russian troops advanced 2 kilometers, captured part of another Dyliivka and continue to advance along the Horlivka-Kostiantynivka highway toward the village of Bila Hora, 7 kilometers from the city. At the same time, the situation in Toretsk remains virtually unchanged. Instead, to the west of the city, Russian forces are trying to bypass the Ukrainian positions and are storming the Ukrainian Armed Forces' fortifications in Shcherbynivka and Novospaske. Although the combat zone here has expanded, Ukrainian soldiers are holding their ground.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoHowever, the situation on the western flank has deteriorated significantly. There, the Russian forces broke through in the direction of the Kleban-Bytske water reservoir from two directions at once: 2.5 km along Yablunivka, occupying the entire western part of the village, and the same distance from Zoria to the outskirts of Oleksandro-Kalynove, which together with Yablunivka actually form one fortified area. Currently, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are forced to repel attacks from both the south and the west. If the Russian troops manage to advance from the direction of Romanivka, the Ukrainian soldiers will have to defend on three sides and will have to retreat to the other side of the Bychok river.Ukrainian defense forces managed to halt the Russian advance in the north, where Russian troops had deepened an already-formed wedge between Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk. However, they still managed to advance by 2 kilometers and took control of Popiv Yar, which had been in the grey zone for some time. Currently, the front has closed in on Kostyantynivka from both flanks, now just 10 kilometers away.Pokrovsk front under growing pressureAfter weeks of relative stability, the front near Pokrovsk is once again tightening around the city. Ukrainian defense forces have been forced to abandon certain positions due to the relentless barrage raining down on them each day. Over the past week alone, more than a thousand guided aerial bombs (KABs) have been recorded in the area, while Ukrainian troops are repelling between 50 and 70 assaults daily.The most alarming Russian breakthrough is a 5 km push from already-occupied Razine toward Rodynske, located on the Pokrovsk–Dobropillia highway. Somehow, Russian forces managed to squeeze through a narrow gap between two water reservoirs and spoil heaps — a position that was relatively easy to defend. Yet this is where Ukraine’s defensive line failed.If the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not eliminate this salient, Russian troops will gain a serious tactical advantage: they’ll be able to launch attacks on Myrnohrad and Novoekonomichne from the north, severely weakening both cities’ defenses. At the same time, Pokrovsk risks losing one of its three main logistics arteries, while the remaining two would come under fire from multiple directions.Russian forces are likely to continue pushing westward here in an attempt to encircle Pokrovsk. To do so, however, they will also need to expand control northward to avoid being suddenly encircled themselves.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoAnother area where Ukrainian forces have retreated is the stretch between Shevchenko and Pishchane, where just six months ago the Defense Forces had launched a counteroffensive. All previously regained positions are now back under enemy control. Moreover, in the Shevchenko area, Russian troops have managed to advance to within 1.5 km of Pokrovsk — the closest they've come to the city so far.On the western flank, unable to break through Ukrainian defenses in Kotlyne and Udachne, Russian forces attempted a flanking maneuver. They advanced 2.5 km and reached the Pokrovsk–Mezhova highway between Udachne and Molodetske. Given that this section of the front had long remained stable, there is hope that this Russian gain will prove temporary.Russian forces approach new defense lines in Dnipropetrovsk regionThe metastasis of Russia’s offensive on the Novopavlivka front continues to spread rapidly. Over the past week, enemy forces have advanced 4–5 kilometers along three different axes, creating large gray zones from which Ukraine’s Defense Forces will likely be forced to withdraw.In the north, Russian troops, advancing along the Vovcha River, have occupied Tolstoi, much of Novokhatske, and reached the outskirts of Zelenyi Hai. However, while Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from part of Oleksiivka, they continue to hold the western part of the village and maintain control of Dachne, preventing Russian forces from crossing the Vovcha River at this location.July 12-19 Russia-Ukraine war map: EspresoA little further south, the Russian forces took Voskresenka in a pincer. From the north, they captured Piddubne and Myrne and reached the outskirts of Voskresenka, while from the south they occupied Shevchenko and are also moving towards this village. As a result, some Ukrainian troops still holding positions in the area of Komar and Perebudova will have to quickly withdraw to avoid being surrounded.At present, Russian troops have advanced to the administrative border between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions along a wide section of the front stretching over 40 kilometers — and it is likely they will cross it at some point soon.Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to defend new positions along the Vovcha River and near the villages of Velykomykhailivka, Andriivka-Klevtsova, Ivanivka, and directly around Novopavlivka.The maps are based on information provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other open and verified sources. However, they are not fully precise and only approximately reflect trends in the combat zone.