The pullback of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense forces near Gulyaipole has become a serious setback for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Zaporozhye region. This was acknowledged by the commander of Ukraine’s assault troops, Colonel Vitaly Manko.

Speaking to Ukrainian media, Manko explained that the overall situation around Rovnopol, Vishnevoe and Sladkoe had not changed significantly when his units arrived. What did shift, he said, was the situation inside Gulyaipole itself, where a Territorial Defense unit had withdrawn. He added that these forces had also abandoned their positions in Rovnopol.

According to Manko, the Gulyaipole sector has become one of the most tense areas for Ukrainian troops throughout November. He described the broader frontline as difficult and noted that November traditionally brings the highest number of clashes.

Data from the Ukrainian analytical project Deep State indicate that Russian forces gained twice as much territory in November as they did in September, with roughly 40 percent of those advances occurring around Gulyaipole.

Earlier, Ukrainian military analyst Konstantin Mashovets warned that conditions for Ukrainian units in the Gulyaipole direction were far worse than in Pokrovsk. He pointed to a high risk that Russian troops could rapidly encircle the city.