By: The Trek News Desk
Ukraine’s military has confirmed that the situation in the southern Zaporizhia region has “significantly worsened,” forcing its troops to withdraw from five villages following days of intense Russian bombardment. The development marks another setback for Kyiv, even as Moscow claims advances in the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk.
Russia Claims Momentum on the Front Line
Videos circulated by Russian military bloggers show troops entering Pokrovsk on motorcycles and armoured vehicles. The city, often referred to as the “gateway to Donetsk,” holds high strategic value for both sides.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Tuesday that Russian forces, using their numerical and artillery superiority, had captured three settlements after fierce clashes. “The situation has become critical in the Oleksandrivka and Huliapole sectors,” Syrskyi said in his statement.
Withdrawal After Intense Shelling
According to the Ukrainian Army, orders to retreat from five Zaporizhia villages were issued only after continuous Russian shelling destroyed nearly all defensive positions and shelters. Officials estimate that Russian forces fired around 2,000 artillery rounds at Ukrainian lines before the pullback.
Fighting remains ongoing northeast of Huliapole, where control over three other villages is being fiercely contested.
Russia Using Fog and Weather to Its Advantage
Syrskyi said Russian troops exploited heavy fog and poor weather conditions to infiltrate between Ukrainian defensive lines. However, he added that Russian forces have suffered substantial losses.
“Every meter of our land costs Russia hundreds of its soldiers,” Syrskyi stated.
Zelenskyy Calls Situation “Difficult”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited the government-held areas of Kherson on Tuesday, described the situation in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhia as “challenging,” noting that current weather patterns favoured Russian attacks.
However, Zelenskyy added that conditions in Kupiansk were “somewhat better,” where Ukrainian troops had “made progress” in recent days.
Moscow Reports Gains in Kupiansk
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that its troops had taken full control of eastern Kupiansk, including an oil depot and several railways stops on the city’s outskirts. In a video message, a Russian commander identifying himself by the call sign “Hunter” said his unit was consolidating positions in the area.
Manpower and Drone Gaps Straining Ukraine
Military observers warn that Ukraine’s shortage of personnel and Russia’s superior drone warfare capabilities are beginning to reshape the battlefield. This imbalance, they say, has enabled Russia to make incremental gains across several front-line sectors as the war approaches its fourth year.
Source: News Agencies
