At Huliaipole, Ukrainian Forces 'Have Seized the Initiative'

Huliaipole has become the most active sector of the front as Russian forces try to gain a victory, as strategically insignificant as it may be. There have been more Russian attacks in that area than any other over the past few days, but almost all have been repulsed with losses and the Ukrainians now believe they have seized the initiative. 

The significance of this action is that Russia has tacitly admitted it can do no more around Pokrovsk for the time being and is thus trying another target, even thought that, too, has yet to yield and real progress, especially with the Ukrainians counterattacking. JL

Ukrinform reports:

Ukrainian forces  continue to counterattack in the Huliaipole sector and along the border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, regaining control of (multiple) settlements. The enemy has shifted its activity to the southwest of Huliaipole, is more active near the village of Zaliznychne, and that there are 1.5 to 2 dozen combat clashes every day. The enemy is also trying to advance toward Myrne. The Russian army has attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 48 times since the beginning of the day. " We (The Ukrainians) have seized the initiative on the front.”

The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to counterattack in the Huliaipole sector and along the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, regaining control of settlements and eliminating the enemy, UATV English reports.

This was reported by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, in a comment to Ukrinform.

“Active counterattacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue in this sector, and we already have some results, but they are preliminary,” the spokesman said.

He added that the Defense Forces are clearing settlements because the enemy is using infiltration tactics to gain a foothold in certain areas. The actions are taking place across several sections of the front, particularly at the administrative border between the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as in the Huliaipole sector.

“The enemy has not had any success for several weeks, has suffered heavy losses, and has not made any progress,” Voloshyn assured.

The spokesman noted that, as a result, the enemy has shifted its activity to the southwest of Huliaipole, is more active near the village of Zaliznychne, and that there are 1.5 to 2 dozen combat clashes every day. The enemy is also trying to advance toward Myrne, carrying out assaults and air strikes with unguided missiles on Ukrainian positions.

“The Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting clearing operations, eliminating the enemy and intending to continue to do so,” Voloshyn emphasized.

He also reported that the Russians attempted to attack near the village of Charivne and are using airstrikes.

“We have seized the initiative on several sections of the front,” the spokesman concluded.

As reported earlier, the Russian army has attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 48 times since the beginning of the day. Its main efforts are concentrated in the Huliaipole sector, as well as in Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka