Ukrainian forces launch counterattacks on 3 front-line sectors — ISW
Photo: Ukrainian defenders launch a counterattack near Lyman and Orikhiv (Getty Images)
Russia continues its offensive on the front lines, but has not achieved any significant gains due to counteroffensives by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russians continued their offensive on November 7 and 8 but failed to advance. On November 8, they attacked northeast of the Borova community. Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks in this area.
Photo: The situation in the Kharkiv region (screenshot from understandingwar.org)
In the Lyman sector, the Russians advanced near Lyman and to the northeast of the city along the Oskil River. They were unable to make any headway. Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Balka Zhuravka, northeast of Lyman.
Russian claims of capturing the central part of Dibrova, southeast of Lyman, turned out to be false. Ukrainian drones are restricting the movement of Russian troops in this area.
The Russians also failed to advance in the Orikhiv direction. They launched limited offensives in the west of Zaporizhzhia region on November 7 and 8, while Ukrainian defenders counterattacked southeast of Orikhiv.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian defenders struck the Russian positions northeast of Ternuvate. According to analysts, the Russians had previously infiltrated this area.
Another attack by Ukrainian forces on a Russian position was shown in a video that surfaced on November 2. On November 7, analysts confirmed its geolocation: it is south of Varvarivka, northeast of Kharkiv, where Russian troops had recently infiltrated.
The source also refutes a statement made by a Russian military blogger on November 6 regarding the capture of Sobolivka, west of Kupiansk. The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, claimed that it had taken control of this settlement back in July 2025.
What's happening near Dobropillia
Russian forces have recently advanced or taken up positions within Dobropillia, as well as to the south and southwest of the city.
Presumably, before this, Russia advanced through Krasnopodillia and a smaller settlement also named Dobropillia. It is located south of the city.
Photo: The situation on the front near Dobropillia (screenshot from understandingwar.org)
Russian and Ukrainian forces are also engaged in combat in Nadiia, southwest of Dobropillia. The ISW believes this may indicate that Russian units have penetrated the settlement.
According to unconfirmed reports, on November 8, Russian forces attempted to advance on positions near Novoiavlenka, northeast of Dobropillia. The ISW notes that it is currently unable to verify this information.
Russia has changed the composition of its delegation for the talks in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 10–11.
The delegation includes Russian presidential aides Vladimir Medinsky and Yuri Ushakov, Admiral Igor Kostyukov, as well as Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Galuzin and Sergey Ryabkov.
Furthermore, Russia is using its own crimes to win the White House’s favor.
The ISW reaches this conclusion following a ceremony on November 5, where US First Lady Melania Trump met with representatives from Ukraine and Russia to discuss a ceasefire in Oleshky.
