Russia grinds forward toward Huliaipole, closing in on vital highway - ISW
The local resident hiding from the enemy FPV drone in Huliaipole, Nov. 11, 2025 (Photo: REUTERS/Sergiy Chalyi)
The situation around Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhya Oblast remains “very serious” as Russian forces continue advancing and intensify offensive operations, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on Nov. 16.
Russian troops are trying to isolate Huliaipole from the northeast, likely to support their efforts to capture the town from the east. The invaders are also pushing toward the T-0401 Pokrovske–Huliaipole highway — one of Ukraine’s key supply routes connecting Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
Geolocated footage published on Nov. 15–16 indicates that Russian troops recently captured Rivnopillia (northeast of Huliaipole) and advanced east of Zatyshshia along the O-080618 Huliaipole–Malynivka road.
ISW estimated that after these latest gains, Russian forces are now roughly eight kilometers northeast of Huliaipole and about four kilometers east of it. Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn said on Nov. 15 that Russia’s recent assaults threaten to cut off the town from its logistical lifelines, including the T-0401 route toward Pokrovske in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
“The enemy is pushing toward Varvarivka, but it’s still quite far,” Voloshyn said.
ISW noted that Varvarivka lies northwest of Huliaipole, directly along the T-0401 route.
Citing the DeepState monitoring project, ISW added that Russian infiltration “is reaching new levels,” noting that being even five kilometers behind the frontline “does not guarantee safety from enemy infantry,” including flanking movements from the rear. This, ISW emphasized, suggests that Russian troops have penetrated portions of Ukrainian defensive lines.
Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, summarized that Russian priorities have shifted toward the Zaporizhzhya sector.
“Since midweek, the main focus has been on the Polohy and Huliaipole directions,” he said.
Voloshyn confirmed on Nov. 15 that Russia is attempting to advance northeast of Huliaipole to isolate the town and sever its key logistical routes. He noted that Ukrainian defense forces are holding their positions and blocking enemy attempts to deepen the breakthrough.
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