Edith Hejberg
Ukrainian troops have also ceded ground in parts of Kharkiv and Donetsk, gradually falling back as Russian offensives intensify.
Ukraine’s military confirmed on Tuesday that it has withdrawn troops from five villages in the southern Zaporizhia region after heavy Russian attacks.
The decision follows intense artillery bombardment that left defensive positions in ruins.
Fierce fighting leads to strategic pullback
The withdrawal comes amid escalating clashes in the area, where Russian forces have been advancing. Ukrainian Army Group South said the retreat was necessary after Russian strikes destroyed most shelters and fortifications.
Villages lost after intense Russian shelling
The abandoned villages, though not named in the official statement, lie in a key stretch of the front line where Moscow’s troops have been pushing hard. Russian advances there were already noted by military analysts before Kyiv’s announcement.
Russia claims fresh territorial gains
The Russian military claimed responsibility for capturing several targets in the area, adding that their troops have successfully breached Ukrainian defences. These claims have not been independently verified.
New clashes erupt near Huliaipole
Fighting continues northeast of Huliaipole, a city long at the centre of frontline activity. Ukrainian and Russian forces are still battling for control of Yablukove, Rivnopilia, and Sodolke, according to Ukrainian military reports.
Ukrainian troops under mounting pressure
Military analysts suggest that Ukraine’s forces are stretched thin, especially in southern and eastern regions. Russian forces have been steadily pressing forward, forcing Kyiv to make tactical retreats to preserve manpower.
Artillery strikes devastate fortifications
Ukrainian commanders described the frontline situation as untenable, citing the “de facto destruction of all shelters and fortifications” by Russian artillery as the reason for ordering the withdrawal.
Russian breakthrough alarms observers
Observers had already noted signs of a breakthrough in this part of the front. The latest pullback further confirms that Ukrainian lines have weakened in parts of the Zaporizhia region under sustained Russian pressure.
A shift in battlefield momentum
The loss of these villages may indicate a shift in momentum in Russia’s favour, at least temporarily, in the south. Ukrainian forces had previously managed to hold these areas despite months of shelling and raids.
Broader pattern of withdrawals continues
Ukraine’s retreat in Zaporizhia mirrors a wider trend. Over the past few months, Ukrainian troops have also ceded ground in parts of Kharkiv and Donetsk, gradually falling back as Russian offensives intensify.
Kyiv prioritises troop safety over territory
While the withdrawals are setbacks, Ukrainian officials say preserving the lives of soldiers and regrouping in better-defended positions is now a priority. Counteroffensive action may follow if conditions improve.
Three and a half years into the invasion
Ukraine has now been resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than three and a half years. The front lines remain fluid, with gains and losses continuing across multiple regions.
Zaporizhia remains a critical battleground
The Zaporizhia region remains strategically vital, linking Russian-held territory in the east to the south. Both sides are expected to reinforce their positions there as winter approaches and fighting intensifies.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, who may have used AI in the preparation
