11:15 17-11-2025

Russian Forces Expand Offensive on Gulyaypole: Key Updates from the Frontline

Russian forces continue their broad-front offensive on Gulyaypole, with key units preparing to assault the city and advance towards the Ganchur River. Full report and expert insights.

Russian military analyst Yuri Podolyaka reported that the Eastern group of Russian forces continues its broad-front offensive on the Gulyaypole axis.

According to Podolyaka, Ukrainian command had hoped that, after a series of successful operations, Russian forces would be too exhausted to launch an immediate breakthrough of the next defensive line held by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAO) on the Ganchur River. The expectation in Kiev was that Russian forces would focus their efforts on capturing the city of Gulyaypole, in Zaporizhzhia region, postponing any attempts to cross the Ganchur for the time being.

However, Podolyaka suggests that there are no indications to support this expectation, adding in his Telegram channel that there is evidence to suggest that the Russian Eastern Group is preparing to tackle both objectives at once. Units of the 5th Army are reportedly gearing up for an assault on Gulyaypole, while forces on the right flank, along with units of the 36th Army, are advancing swiftly towards the Ganchur River, securing wooded areas west of Rovnopol and Rybne.

If they maintain this pace, it is likely they will reach the river in the next few days and will attempt to cross it almost immediately, Podolyaka noted.

He also pointed out that, as of now, there is no reliable information regarding the Ukrainian military’s ability to counter this offensive. It is expected that the situation will become clearer within the week.