Correct decisions by Ukraine’s military command helped prevent the occupation of Hulyaipole in Zaporizhzhia region in November, according to analysts from the OSINT project DeepState. They noted that the situation in the area is now stabilizing, with a new defensive line established and the Russian advance significantly slowed.
“Events over the past week could have ended with the complete loss of the city this month. Thanks to timely and effective decisions by the military command, a major tragedy was avoided,” the analysts wrote on their Telegram channel on Thursday.
The report highlighted the role of coordinated actions between the South Operational Command, the 225th Separate Heavy Artillery Regiment, and other units in restoring order to combat formations and slowing the Russian advance.
The crisis began after Ukrainian forces lost control of Poltavka and Uspenivka. Attempts to recapture these positions failed, prompting a rapid fortification of new defensive lines south of Novo-Uspenivske. Meanwhile, the 102nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade helped slow the Russian forces on the right flank despite partial withdrawals.
The DeepState report described how infiltrating Russian groups broke through Ukrainian positions on the left flank, creating chaos in some units. One battalion of the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade reportedly withdrew en masse from Zelenyi Hai and Vysokyi, leaving soldiers exposed.
In response, additional forces from the 225th Separate Heavy Artillery Regiment and a mechanized brigade quickly established a new defensive line directly in front of Hulyaipole. The analysts noted that some instances of friendly fire occurred due to confusion during unauthorized withdrawals.
Tragically, five Ukrainian soldiers from a cover group were captured and executed by Russian forces west of Zelenyi Hai, while two days earlier, a Russian sabotage group killed four pilots in a wooded area behind the front lines.
DeepState added that public outcry has prompted law enforcement and the military ombudsman to investigate the incidents and determine the full circumstances of the events.
“Despite these losses, the new defensive line has held, and the situation in Hulyaipole is stabilizing,” the analysts concluded.
