Ukrainian lines are folding at multiple points in the eastern psrt of the country. One such place is the second east of Kupyansk, stretching to Kreminna. Russian forces are advancing after a lengthy period of being stalled, at multiple points. After their recent breakthrough at Synkivka, this was followed up by a thrust west of Pishchane, which is located southeast of Kupyansk. This puts Russian forces within a few miles of the road on the eastern side of the river leading up to Kupyansk. However, Ukraine has a line of defenses between the advancing Russian troops and the road. Still, the advance complicates Ukrainian efforts to resupply their forces near Synkivka. Russian forces have also entered Stelmakhivka, the village at the northern end of the Zherebets river. With Russian troops stkll contesting Makiivka further to the south, this has in effect created a partially isolated pocket of Ukrainian troops, who either have to cross the small river manually or rely on the bridges, with the northern route around the river now severed. Russia also launched heavy strikes on the city of Kharkiv, killing several people and wounding dozens.
But arguably the more significant advance was by Pokrovsk, where Russian forces have taken up positions all around Karlivka, with the town likely having fallen already. It is hard to overstate the severity of the situation for Ukraine, with Russian troops now actively behind and rolling back Ukraine's primary defensive line for a large portion of the front. There have been sporadic reports of Ukrainian troops withdrawing from as far south as Vuhledar, with the entire segment of the front between Vuhledar and Pokrovsk at risk of collapse. A Russian advance could potentially reach as deep as Velyka Novosilka, as Russia is more or less fighting downhill the entire way; with fee Ukrainian defenses seemingly erected, it would be fairly easy going for Russia compared to other sectors of the front.
Zelenskyy has fired Mykola Oleshchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force after he publicly feuded with Maryana Bezuhla, the MP who had stated that the downing of the F-16 was due to a friendly fire incident. Bezuhla has been an critic of the command of the armed forces for a while, and is an independent partially because of her critiques. In his posts about the incident and Bezuhla, he criticized her for suggesting that American equipment was flawed, and highlighted the important role the United States plays as an ally of Ukraine. Despite his denials, this in turn suggests that pilot error or friendly fire was after all responsible, if mechanical failure of the plane or air defense systems were not the cause. Oleschuk's deputy will be taking over for him. It is my opinion that regardless of the current circumstances, that changing of the upper brass of the Ukrainian Air Force has been needed for a while. Doctrinal issues, such as the spacing out of helicopters during missions and the slow establishment of better infrastructure at airbases, have been long-standing issues which haven't been rectified.
Zelenskyy also made a controversial decision regarding the newly established Unmanned Systems Forces, appointing Roman Hladkyi to command the branch. He once was part of the Ukrainian Navy, but was dismissed for quote "shortcomings in official activities following an inspection of a military unit by Ukraine's Defense Ministry". Furthermore, he reportedly has no experience with drone warfare. Furthermore, he has previously been suspected of having ties to Russia. A native of Crimea, his wife held Russian citizenship and his daughter participated in swimming events at a center sponsored by the Russian military. Bezuhla, the same MP who stated that the F-16 was shot down in a friendly fire incident, has claimed that Hladkyi is under investigation for a litany of crimes including corruption, espionage, and even treason. As with her F-16 claim, there are no other public sources to verify her claims as of this time.