Russian troops broke through Ukrainian defense barriers north and east of Huliaipole, creating a serious threat to the fortifications of the Zaporizhzhia region. Kiev has repositioned its forces along the Zarichne river in light of the crucial battle, after Moscow deployed 40,000 troops in the region while clashes for control of Pokrovsk continue, less than 100 kilometers to the northeast, in the Donetsk region, where Ukraine still holds sway.
“Ukrainian forces maintain their position and ability to operate in Pokrovsk although Russian efforts to take control of the city have been increasing for weeks,” writes the Institute for the Study of War. About 500 Russian troops have managed to infiltrate the city but they are relatively poorly coordinated and sometimes shoot at each other.
To the northeast of Pokrovsk, Russian troops also advanced towards Siversk. “While everyone’s attention is focused on Huliaipole and Pokrovsk, systemic problems are also emerging in other directions”, criticized Ukrainian military activist and blogger Serhii Sternenko, noting that it is the region, located along the Siversk/Yampil direction, where “a crisis will soon emerge in all its significance”. Here too, the problem is the same as elsewhere: Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian logistics are increasing.
Huliaipole was created in the 1770s precisely as a defensive barrier and has remained Kiev’s defensive base in the region ever since. And it was here that the Ukrainian anarchist hero Nestor Makhno created the first collective farm.
“Ukrainian defenders repulsed seven Russian attacks near the settlements of Zelenyi Hai, Zatyshshia, Solodke, and in the direction of Varvarivka and Dobropillia”, the Ukrainian General Staff announced, according to whichThere were also air attacks on Huliaipole and Zaliznychne. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow claimed responsibility for the seizure of the small settlement two kilometers north of Huliaipole, Zatishschia.
But Moscow’s progress has been slow, although much smaller than last year. And this was very detrimental in terms of losses, even if there were no more attacks that threw the army that was treated like cannon fodder into chaos. Russia has improved its drone capabilities and is able to attack Ukrainian logistics to control roads and prevent a rapid retreat of Kiev forces. “But the level of losses is still very large. They are able to replace the fallen, especially compared to Ukraine. But it is still surprising that even though military power is their best asset, they treat it as something completely expendable. They spend a lot of resources in a war they are unable to push forward decisively,” criticized Emil Kastehlmi, an analyst at Black Bird Group, quoted by the Washington Post. In the end, Moscow troops had been fighting for months to reach a few blocks in a small town,” concluded one Ukrainian soldier.
