Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from several frontline settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region amid heavy Russian assaults, according to the country’s military officials.

The fighting, which has intensified in recent days, marks one of the most difficult phases of the war in southeastern Ukraine this year.

Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, confirmed that Ukrainian troops had “completely withdrawn” from Uspenivka and Novomykolaivka, while fierce battles continue for control of Yablukove and several nearby villages.

“The defensive operation is ongoing, and the contact line remains quite dynamic,” Voloshyn said, noting that Russian forces have increased pressure along the front lines.

The withdrawal follows earlier comments from Valentyn Manko, commander of Ukraine’s Assault Forces, who stated that Ukrainian troops had halted a Russian advance in eastern Zaporizhzhia and regained control over the villages of Solodke and Rivnopillia. However, Manko acknowledged ongoing clashes near Poltavka and Uspenivka, where Russian troops are pushing toward the strategic city of Huliaipole.

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi later reported that Russian forces had seized three settlements in the area, taking advantage of dense fog and adverse weather conditions to infiltrate Ukrainian defenses.

“The situation has significantly worsened on the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole axes, where the enemy, taking advantage of numerical superiority, continues to press forward,” Syrskyi said on Telegram.

Military officials report that up to 50 combat engagements occur daily across the Orikhiv and Huliaipole sectors, with Russian troops conducting relentless bombardments that have destroyed multiple Ukrainian fortifications.

“The enemy is conducting intense fire strikes on our positions. They have destroyed all existing fortifications and shelters, forcing us to withdraw from certain areas,” Voloshyn added.

Russian units are said to be advancing in small formations, often on foot or using motorcycles to exploit fog and reduced drone visibility.

Despite the setbacks, Ukrainian forces maintain control over the regional capital, Zaporizhzhia, though Moscow’s troops currently occupy around 70% of the oblast.

Meanwhile, Russian advances continue across neighboring Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. One of Moscow’s key objectives remains the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, where reports suggest approximately 300 Russian troops have been deployed as of early November.

The escalating battles in southern Ukraine come as both sides prepare for harsh winter conditions that could further complicate logistics and frontline operations. (ILKHA)