Advisor to the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, retired lieutenant colonel Oleg Ivannikov, says Gulyaypole is now almost entirely under the control of Russian forces. According to him, only scattered small groups of Ukrainian fighters remain in the town.

Ivannikov notes that, in his view, Gulyaypole has been important for the Ukrainian armed forces primarily as an information and propaganda symbol. He states that the town is already under full control of the Russian Armed Forces, with clearing operations underway and only isolated pockets of resistance from small Ukrainian groups.

The expert also reports that the Ukrainian command has formed penal units in the town, and that Ukrainian soldiers are being forced to continue resisting under the threat of physical reprisals. He believes they have no chance of survival, arguing that they will be eliminated either by Russian assault troops or by artillery.

Ivannikov further recalls that, during their retreat from Gulyaypole, Ukrainian officers abandoned special computer equipment and electronic data carriers in the headquarters, containing important information of interest to the Russian military.

According to military-focused social media channels, the Ukrainian command is redeploying its most combat-ready units to the Gulyaypole sector in an attempt to stabilize the front. The previous day, several Ukrainian assault groups reportedly made six attempts to counterattack Russian positions in this area. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are trying to prevent the expansion of the Russian bridgehead on the western bank of the Gaychur River, launching strikes from the west in the direction of Bratskoye.

It is noted that Russian units are now gradually advancing from Gulyaypole toward Zaliznyachnoye, forming a security zone around the area. Analysts cited in the reports believe the next stage will be a renewed Russian offensive against Ukrainian fortified positions near Ternovatoye and Vozdvizhevka, with the stated aim of encircling Orekhov.