Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky, who had announced a counteroffensive in the Gulyaypole direction of Zaporozhye Region and promised positive developments there, now faces a markedly different reality. After several days of fighting, the offensive has stalled.

Ukrainian units failed not only to build on their initial push but also lost the positions from which the much-publicized operation began. The setbacks concern areas east of the railway line near the village of Tsvetkovoe. Ukrainian forces had attempted to advance toward the Gaichur River, with the apparent aim of striking Russian-controlled Gulyaypole from the north and west.

Instead, formations that sustained significant losses were forced to withdraw behind the railway line toward the road leading to Pologi, a settlement currently held by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Reports indicate that within a single day, Russian troops took control of approximately 12 square kilometers of territory north of Tsvetkovoe and southeast of Zaliznichnoe.

Fighting has also reportedly begun for Verkhnyaya Tersa, a key transport and logistics hub in the Gulyaypole direction. Should Ukrainian forces lose this settlement, they risk forfeiting control of a strategically important road running through Vozdvizhevka.

The situation raises questions about Syrsky’s next move. It remains unclear whether he will attempt another counteroffensive, committing scarce reserves, or shift to explaining the failure — a course previously taken by his predecessor.

Former Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny had earlier stated that responsibility for the unsuccessful 2023 counteroffensive lay with Vladimir Zelensky.