Russian troops seep into Orikhiv as Huliaipole front stabilizes — DeepState

Addressing the Huliaipole sector, Pohorilyi explained that Russian forces exploited structural command vulnerabilities to attempt an operational breakout deeper into Zaporizhzhya Oblast.

"The pressure there has been intense for a long time, particularly following the loss of the settlement. The Russians are trying to break out into operational depth across Zaporizhzhya Oblast," he said.

"Why did they achieve success? Because we had problems on our side. We remember the difficult situations involving the 108th and 102nd Territorial Defense Brigades, as well as the 33rd Brigade, which was unable to hold its defensive positions amid irresponsible command decisions."

Pohorilyi noted that Russian commanders exploited these defensive gaps by deploying operational reserves to sow chaos. The frontline began stabilizing only after veterans of the 225th Assault Battalion and sister units deployed under a unified corps structure.

"The biggest missing component was cohesive command at the corps level. Now, elements of the 225th and other units are holding the line under proper leadership," the analyst added.

"The 7th Corps knows how to stabilize these axes, and I am confident they will demonstrate further operational success."

Creeping Infiltration Toward Orikhiv

Pohorilyi highlighted the southern approaches to Orikhiv as an acute operational concern, where Russian assault squads are filtering northward through agricultural tree lines.

"There is a substantial enemy concentration in the fields fronting Orikhiv. They are gradually infiltrating, and their presence has already been recorded multiple times on the city's southern outskirts," the analyst warned.

"Fortunately, these have been one-way trips for them so far, but this is a serious alarm bell."

Pohorilyi cautioned that if Russian troops establish footholds inside municipal Orikhiv, the defense could face urban encirclement pressures comparable to Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, or Siversk: "It is premature to draw catastrophic conclusions, but it is an urgent warning sign. We hope Orikhiv can be stabilized in time."

The Dobropillia Axis: Drone Saturation and Massive Assaults

On the Dobropillia axis in Donetsk Oblast, Russian formations are exerting relentless pressure utilizing waves of dismounted infantry and dense drone coverage.

Citing Azov Operational Group Commander Denys Prokopenko, Pohorilyi reported that while Russian armor is deployed sparingly in isolated tank or infantry fighting vehicle sorties, Russian infantry attacks are continuous.

"Near Lyman, they probe and infiltrate. Around Dobropillia, it is overwhelming pressure across a broad frontline backed by immense drone swarms — thousands of reconnaissance UAVs, FPV attack drones, and Lancets per month. That volume is steadily accelerating," Pohorilyi said.

Russian forces are advancing past Rodynske, south of Dobropillia, attempting to secure defensive redoubts before driving directly toward the city. The axis represents a vital logistical lifeline and operational backbone for Ukrainian defense forces across western Donetsk Oblast. Stabilization operations are now being conducted by the 12th Special Forces Brigade and the Skelya Assault Battalion under the command of the Azov Corps.

Broader frontline developments

Bridges demolished near Polohy: On Sept. 21, the 7th Air Assault Corps reported that Ukrainian forces destroyed key transit bridges near Polohy to disrupt Russian supply routes feeding the offensive against Orikhiv.

Debate over Zaporizhzhya threat: On Sept. 22, Dmytro "Perun" Filatov, commander of the 1st Da Vinci Wolves Separate Assault Battalion, warned that Russian reconnaissance and infantry squads could reach the administrative borders of Zaporizhzhya by winter. Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Anastasiya Shevchenko responded that while small-group infiltration attempts cannot be completely ruled out, current intelligence does not support a high probability of such an operational advance.

Mechanized buildup: The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Sept. 17 that Russian forces are massing armored vehicles for autumn assaults near Dobropillia, while Azov Commander Denys Prokopenko noted that 1,200 drone operators from Russia's elite Rubikon unit have deployed to support assault operations.