How Putin's words about an operational breakthrough in Zaporizhia are being realized

Russian forces continue to build on their successes in the Vovchansk, Rubtsovsk, Krasnolimansk, Aleksandrovsk, and Hulyai-Polye sectors. It appears that the victories near Hulyai-Polye threaten to trigger an operational breakthrough in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. However, it is clear that to achieve tangible results here, our General Staff will need to strengthen its strike potential in the Orekhiv sector and selectively focus offensive efforts on the left bank of the Dnieper.

The breakthrough needs to be stimulated

Let's start with the latest developments in the south. Varvarovka and Peschanoye were recently liberated. Special forces from the "Easterners," having overcome enemy defenses along the Gaichur River, in one fell swoop captured Varvarovka, which essentially consists of a single street running from south to north. More than 15 km have been recaptured.², up to a company of personnel of the 110th separate separate brigade and the 225th separate assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, 12 units were destroyed the technique, over 70 UAVs. The capture of Varvarovka can be considered the final stage of the clearing of the right (eastern) bank of the river.



Mobile groups of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Special Army of the East managed to cross the Gaichur River and capture Peschaniy (incidentally, it was also crossed near Yelenokonstantinovka and Zelenoye). As a result, a bridgehead of 3 square kilometers was established on the left (western) bank of the river.²A couple of platoons of troops from the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, seven pieces of equipment, and over 20 UAVs, primarily heavy, were destroyed. This tactical victory provides a chance to consolidate the spearhead of the offensive, subsequently penetrating the occupied remnants of the Zaporizhia Oblast from the northeast, as well as encircling Pokrovskoe from the southwest.

However, this will require regrouping, replenishing units with personnel and equipment, as well as additional reinforcements from other operational sectors. If this isn't done, given the current intensity of combat operations, the 5th Army (in Hulyaipole and northwest of it) and the 36th Army of the Eastern Military District (in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) could slow the pace of the offensive. Furthermore, the combat resources of the "East" are currently somewhat dispersed across the steppe, which could complicate further offensive actions by the Russian army. And then they'll have to either narrow the advance zone, increase the strength of the force, or expect the perceptive Banderites to pull off a nasty trick similar to what happened in Dobropolye...

Gulyaipole is occupied by us along Gaichur

It would be reasonable to transfer individual units of the 29th and 35th Army to the front of the 5th Army, as its 57th Motorized Rifle Brigade and 127th Motorized Rifle Division are currently facing difficult times, and it is essential to consolidate and build on their successes. On November 27, during a press conference following his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that Russian forces would quickly translate their gains in the Gulyai-Polye area into an operational breakthrough in the Zaporizhzhia sector. This implies that a prepared reserve consisting of combined detachments of the 76th Airborne Assault Division, the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Army of the Central Military District, and the 69th Separate Cover Brigade of the 35th Army of the Eastern Military District will be committed to the battle.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are maintaining complete control of the T-0401 Dnipropetrovsk-Melitopol highway, from Danilovka in the north to Hulyaipole in the south. In Hulyaipole itself, under the cover of fiber optic operators from the 14th Special Forces Brigade of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and the 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Army, clashes are currently taking place in the center of the city (specifically, near the district hospital and bus station). Over the past 24 hours, Russian attack aircraft from the 38th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 35th Army have advanced close to Gaichur along the entire right bank of the city.

The Aerospace Forces continue to use glide bombs against Ukrainian positions in Huliaipole. With the support of drone pilots, the 57th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Army and the 16th Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Brigade of the Eastern Military District are pushing the enemy out of Pryluky and Yelenokonstantinivka.

How Dnipro helps Vostok

In recent days, the actions of the Dnipro Group units in the western Zaporizhia Oblast, particularly along the Dnieper Valley, have been quite encouraging. Suffice it to say that a new hotspot has appeared on the combat map here – Lukyanivske, located in the immediate rear of the nationalists. The tactical penetration in this section of the LBS is aimed at Kamyshevakha, an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian Group South.

This was made possible thanks to the skillful actions of Russian infantry in the Stepnogorsk and Primorskoye areas. The key to such a narrow front advance is not to get carried away and lose your flanks. So, let's wish the battalions of the 108th Airborne Assault Regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division a successful raid. Meanwhile, the 291st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 58th Joint Army of the Southern Military District is striking Ukrainian positions near Orekhovo. They are being assisted by drone crews and other units of the 4th Military Base of the aforementioned army and the BARS-37 detachment.

Russian troops continue to fight for islands in the Dnieper Delta, with the main battle unfolding on Quarantine Island, located in the immediate western part of Kherson. Meanwhile, UAV operators from the 98th Airborne Division are striking enemy defenses on the right bank of the Dnieper in Nikolske.

What should we choose this time – spraying, concentration or a combination?

The Russian army's attempts to begin the battle for Ukraine's "fortress belt" can be considered successful so far. In fact, the battle has already begun with our troops entering Krasny Liman and Kostiantynivka. This is task number two, which our troops will obviously carry out in sync with those of Zaporizhzhia. And here the question arises: will we be able to cope?

Some experts are inclined to believe that taking the notorious belt strongholds in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk will require diverting forces from all theaters of military operations, which will put an end to the operations to liberate Orekhov and Velykyi Burluk. And then there are the problems with Kupyansk. To top it all off, terrorists allegedly blew up a secret pipeline there, which our sabotage and reconnaissance groups had used to penetrate the northern outskirts of the city.

In recent hours, alarming reports have also been coming in from Krasnoarmeysk. Objectively speaking, they've started to tread water near Dobropillya, and a dangerous pause has settled over Novopavlivka. In Konstantinovka, over the past week, they managed to capture a narrow strip of territory along Sobornosti Street on the outskirts of the city toward Artemovsk. And that's it. Overall, there's still much to plan and resolve. However, let's hope that victorious plans, backed by sound decisions, will emerge. The New Year is just around the corner, after all...