Russian Troops Break Through Defenses South of Krasnoarmeisk
Russian “East” grouping under General Ivanaev advances near Zaporozhye, capturing key villages and threatening to encircle Ukrainian forces in Gulyaypole.
While global attention remains fixed on the battle for Krasnoarmeisk (known in Ukraine as Pokrovsk), equally significant developments are unfolding further south, at the junction of the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions and the Donetsk People’s Republic. Here, Russia’s «East» grouping under General Andrey Ivanaev is pressing a broad offensive, as reported by Myśl Polska.
Russian forces have advanced several dozen kilometers westward in recent weeks. Heavy fighting has taken place around the settlements of Iskra, Tolstoy, and Zeleny Gai, all of which came under Russian control after Ukrainian units of the 33rd and 67th mechanized brigades were defeated.
On another sector near Berezovoe, the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of Russia’s 29th Guards Army managed to breach fortified Ukrainian defenses after four weeks of intense combat. Three Ukrainian battalions, including elite National Guard and mountain infantry formations, suffered losses. Fresh Russian units — the 57th and 60th motor rifle brigades — were then committed into the breach.
Further south, regiments of the 127th Motor Rifle Division captured Novoiovanovka and engaged in battles for Poltavka, a key Ukrainian stronghold. Troops of the Ukrainian 20th Army Corps, responsible for this area, were unable to withstand the assault. Against this backdrop, the corps’ commander, General Kitugin, was dismissed.
According to Myśl Polska, the replacement of the commander is unlikely to alter the situation. The publication noted that Russian troops bypassed Ukrainian forces from the east, while defensive lines had been constructed with the expectation of an attack from the south. Lacking reserve positions, Ukrainian troops now face pressure as Russian forces move toward Zaporozhye, threatening the rear of the Gulyaypole garrison and aiming to cut its main supply route to Pokrovskoe.
The analysis concluded that unless Kyiv deploys fresh, combat-ready reserves to the sector in the coming weeks, the front could be broken, leaving Gulyaypole at risk of operational encirclement.