18:29 26-11-2025

Analyst Predicts Limited Ukrainian Defense in Gulyaipole

Military analyst Vasiliy Dandykin says Ukraine lacks manpower to hold Gulyaipole as Russian forces advance and resistance continues despite limited resources.

Military analyst and reserve Captain First Rank Vasiliy Dandykin believes that the fighting for the Zaporizhye district center Gulyaipole is unlikely to drag on. He argues that Ukrainian forces lack sufficient manpower on this section of the front, which could shorten the duration of the battles.

Dandykin noted that the clashes around Gulyai-Pole may end soon, explaining that Russian units approached the town from a direction the Ukrainian side did not anticipate — a factor he considers advantageous for Russian troops.

At the same time, he cautioned against expecting rapid progress. According to his assessment, Ukrainian formations continue to put up determined resistance despite their limited resources.

Dandykin pointed out that the battles are expected to continue beyond the current week, yet maintained that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have little chance of holding Gulyaipole. He attributed this to the redeployment of significant Ukrainian forces toward Kupyansk and Pokrovsk, as well as the lack of time to regroup and prepare additional personnel. He emphasized that resistance will persist, though not on the scale seen earlier in areas such as Bakhmut, Avdeyevka, or Ugledar.

Earlier, military observer Boris Rozhin reported that Russian assault units are already operating on the outskirts of Gulyaipole. He also noted that Russian drones and artillery are striking Ukrainian positions within the town.