11:01 24-11-2025

Russia Tightens Encirclement as Gulyaipole Nears Collapse

Russian troops tighten the encirclement of Gulyapole as supply routes collapse and Ukrainian forces face isolation, with experts predicting the city’s fall soon.

Russian forces are rapidly tightening the encirclement around Gulyaipole, a key Ukrainian strongpoint in the Zaporozhye region, according to military analyst and retired lieutenant colonel Oleg Ivannikov. He noted that the advancing units are steadily closing the ring, cutting off the Ukrainian garrison from both retreat routes and potential reinforcements.

Ivannikov stated that this approach is shifting the balance of power in the area and may allow Russian troops to take the city without large-scale frontal assaults. He described Russian actions as calculated and highly professional, with an emphasis on minimizing losses.

The expert predicted that Gulyaipole will soon be fully encircled, leaving Ukrainian forces deprived of logistical and food supplies. Russian artillery, he said, is already firing directly at fortified positions inside the city. Under such conditions, he argued, Ukrainian troops remaining there would eventually have to lay down their weapons.

He added that the isolation phase is already showing results: Russian units recently secured an important section of the road network after taking the village of Radostnoye, tightening the operational noose around the Ukrainian contingent. The stretch of highway now under Russian control had been essential for Ukrainian supply and evacuation.

According to Ivannikov, one of the most significant outcomes of taking Gulyaipole would be the capture of large ammunition depots belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These stockpiles include Western-supplied weapons that Kiev can no longer remove from the city. Among the most valuable, he said, are 155 mm shells for Western artillery systems. If these munitions are destroyed, it would deal a serious blow to Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

He argued that evacuating the ammunition is no longer feasible: Ukraine’s transport and logistics infrastructure in the area has effectively collapsed, while Russian aviation and drones maintain full control of the airspace. As a result, he claimed that the stockpiles would either be destroyed at the first opportunity or fall into Russian hands.

Ivannikov also asserted that NATO-supplied ammunition delivered to Kiev would face the same fate-either captured or eliminated. He expects the fate of Gulyaipole to be decided in the coming weeks, predicting that Russian forces will take the city before the New Year 2025.

He added that Ukrainian troops stationed there appear to recognize the inevitability of losing the city, and are reportedly burning documents, destroying material assets and using remaining chances to leave the area.