Ukraine's Oleksandrivka Counterattacks Force Russians To Redeploy, Cut Assaults

In the latest example of Ukrainian intelligence identifying opportunities to disrupt Russian plans, the Ukrainians launched preemptive counterattacks in the Oleksandrivka area, forcing the Russians to curtail assaults and redeploy troops intended for that purpose to defend positions threatened by the Ukrainians. JL

Ryder Blackthorn reports in Frontline Signal:

Russian troops, including naval infantry and tank units, originally intended to support offensives around Huliaipole and Druzhkivka are being used to contain Ukrainian counterattacks near Oleksandrivka. Ukrainian troops are recovering ground while Russian forces continue trying to defend their remaining positions. The reported Russian response suggests Ukraine’s counterattacks are affecting operations beyond the immediate fighting.

Russian troops originally intended to support offensives around Huliaipole and toward Druzhkivka are reportedly being used to contain Ukrainian counterattacks near Oleksandrivka.

According to Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets, Ukrainian forces have recovered ground around three settlements in southern Donetsk Oblast: Perebudova, Komar, and Fedorivka. In his October 25 assessment, he also described Russian naval infantry and tank units being committed to defending the area.

The territorial gains are relatively small, but the reported Russian response suggests Ukraine’s counterattacks are affecting operations beyond the immediate fighting.

Ukraine Reports Gains Near Three Villages

Ukrainian forces have been conducting counterattacks in the Oleksandrivka direction since early February, gradually recovering positions from Russian troops.

In his October 25 assessment, Mashovets reported that Ukrainian troops had retaken Perebudova, Komar, and Fedorivka, three settlements near the Mokri Yaly River. He also described further Ukrainian advances southwest of Vesele toward Skudne.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that these movements likely pushed Russian troops out of a protruding section of their positions northwest of the Fedorivka–Burlatske line.

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Source: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 25, 2026 | Critical Threats

Fighting around the settlements has continued. Mashovets reported that Russian infantry remained on the northeastern outskirts of Perebudova, despite his assessment that Ukrainian troops had liberated the village. The full extent of Ukrainian control has not been independently established.

The advances have been gradual rather than a major breakthrough. Ukrainian troops are recovering ground while Russian forces continue trying to defend their remaining positions.

Russia Is Redirecting Naval Infantry and Tank Units

According to ISW’s October 25 assessment, citing Mashovets, Russian commanders redirected elements of the 120th Naval Infantry Division and the 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade toward Oleksandrivka instead of using them to support offensive operations around Huliaipole.

The formations belong to Russia’s Baltic and Pacific fleets, respectively. Despite their naval designation, both are ground-combat formations that have fought extensively in Ukraine. ISW considers Russian naval infantry relatively capable compared with many conventional Russian units, and Moscow frequently deploys them to important sectors.

Their presence around Oleksandrivka is not entirely new. Elements of both formations previously operated near Dobropillia before moving toward Oleksandrivka in March 2026. Their continued defensive assignment reflects how long Ukrainian counterattacks have been putting pressure on Russian positions.

Mashovets also reported that elements of Russia’s 90th Tank Division were redirected toward Oleksandrivka, although they had originally been intended to support offensive operations toward Druzhkivka.

The division has units operating across several sectors of the frontline, so its reported involvement near Oleksandrivka does not mean the entire formation has been transferred. The precise movements and assignments have not been independently confirmed.

Why This Matters Around Huliaipole

Russia has been trying to advance westward from Huliaipole as part of a broader offensive that ISW assesses is intended to threaten Ukrainian defenses around Orikhiv.

Velyka Novosilka sits near an important road junction supporting Russian operations in southern Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The roads in this area help connect Russian positions and allow supplies and reinforcements to move between sectors.

Ukraine’s counterattacks near Oleksandrivka are taking place farther north, but continued advances could eventually threaten Russian positions and supply routes supporting the offensive around Huliaipole.

There is no confirmation that Ukrainian forces have cut those routes. According to ISW, further Ukrainian progress could put more of the Russian rear area at risk, making it harder to support troops attacking farther south.

The reported commitment of naval infantry and tank units suggests Russian commanders are taking the situation seriously.

Russia Is Still Attacking Around Huliaipole

Despite Ukraine’s gains near Oleksandrivka, Russian forces continue conducting offensive operations across the southern frontline.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russian troops launched 15 attacks in the Huliaipole direction on October 26. Those assaults included attempts to advance toward Ternuvate, Yehorivka, Rizdvianka, Vozdvyzhivka, and Verkhnia Tersa.

During the same period, the General Staff recorded one Russian assault toward Piddubne in the Oleksandrivka direction. These figures describe reported Russian attacks rather than the total amount of fighting in either sector.

In its October 26 assessment, ISW reported that Russian troops continued attacking around Huliaipole but made no assessed territorial advances during the reporting period. Ukrainian forces also conducted counterattacks in the area.

Russia continues trying to advance along the southern front, even as Ukrainian counterattacks have forced its troops to defend positions elsewhere.

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Source: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 26, 2026 | Critical Threats

A Difficult Choice for Russian Commanders

The fighting around Oleksandrivka has been developing for months, and the next question is whether Ukrainian forces can hold their recent gains and continue advancing.

For Ukraine, the territory matters, but so does what Russia has to give up, delay, or defend to prevent Ukraine from taking more of it.