Russian troops triple assaults on Ukrainian positions near Huliaipole
Russian forces conducted three times as many assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Huliaipole direction in October as in September, Ukrainian reports said. They increasingly sent troops into Ukrainian defenses individually as Ukrainian firepower made larger infantry groups more vulnerable. The General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled five attacks near Uspishne and Ternuvate on November 8.
Key points
- Russian assault activity in the Huliaipole direction tripled in October compared with September.
- Russian troops increasingly attempted to infiltrate Ukrainian positions individually rather than in groups of two or three.
- Increased Ukrainian fire on concentrations of Russian troops was identified as a reason for the change in infiltration tactics.
- The fiercest fighting was reported near Hirke, Zaliiznychno, Tsvitkove and Huliaipole.
- Russia was using Huliaipole to concentrate personnel and equipment as a potential staging ground for an advance toward Zaporizhzhia.
- The Ukrainian General Staff said five attacks were repelled near Uspishne and Ternuvate on November 8.
Why it matters
The tripling of assaults shows heavier pressure on Ukrainian positions in the Huliaipole direction. The shift to individual infiltration indicates that Russian forces are adapting their tactics to Ukrainian fire on grouped troops. At the same time, Russian concentration around Huliaipole may support a further advance toward Zaporizhzhia, while the area around Hirke, Zaliiznychno, Tsvitkove and Huliaipole remains the focal point of fighting.
What happened
Russian forces continued assembling troops within the area covered by the 7th Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces, delivering personnel in civilian vehicles. They also used Huliaipole as a zone to concentrate personnel and equipment and as a staging ground for an advance toward Zaporizhzhia. In October, the number of assaults on Ukrainian positions in the direction tripled compared with September. The most intense fighting was reported near Hirke, Zaliiznychno, Tsvitkove and Huliaipole. Ukrainian reports said the 7th Corps had published footage showing the destruction of individual Russian soldiers attempting to enter Ukrainian defensive positions. On November 8, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled five attacks in the areas of Uspishne and Ternuvate.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting centers on the 7th Corps' battlefield assessments, with particular attention to the increased frequency of attacks, the move toward individual infiltration, the fate of infiltrating troops and preparations around Huliaipole. The coverage also identifies the settlements where fighting is most intense and cites General Staff figures for attacks repelled near Uspishne and Ternuvate.
Background
The reported increase in Russian assaults compares October with September. Russian units continued delivering personnel by civilian transport while assembling forces in the area covered by the 7th Corps. The General Staff reported on November 8 that Ukrainian forces had repelled five attacks in the areas of Uspishne and Ternuvate.