Ukrainian Forces Face Challenges in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk Regions: DeepState Co-Founder Highlights Infantry Concentration and Limited Gains

Ukrainian defense forces have made incremental gains in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, clearing approximately 80 square kilometers of territory, but face significant challenges in consolidating positions due to concentrated enemy infantry, according to Roman Pogorely, co-founder of the DeepState analytical project. The ongoing situation highlights the difficulties in achieving decisive breakthroughs and maintaining territorial control.

Enemy Infiltration and Persistent Gray Zones

Pogorely explained that despite clearing certain areas along the border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, a “gray zone” persists due to continuous enemy infiltration. This infiltration occurs past the positions of Ukrainian defenders, requiring ongoing clearance operations. “There are various areas of the Dnepropetrovsk region that are now under enemy occupation, let’s call it in the enemy infiltration zone, where there is constant penetration,” Pogorely stated in a commentary to Radio NV.

He emphasized the high concentration of enemy infantry in these areas, both in established positions and concealed locations. “It is concentrated both in the landings and in the populated areas where they are hiding; in their positions, which are built in ruins, in houses, dugouts that they built,” Pogorely noted. “And, of course, they are trying to concentrate there, saturate themselves, send some group of infantry or even one or two infantrymen in depth.”

Clearance Operations vs. Liberation

Pogorely clarified the distinction between “cleanup” operations and full liberation of populated areas. While Ukrainian forces are actively clearing areas – through assault groups and increased drone activity – this differs from liberating a town or city. “Liberated is when a completely populated area was occupied by the enemy, then a cleanup is carried out, offensive actions, stabilization actions, consolidation, taking a site, the territory of a populated area under full control, we hung a yellow-blue flag and we announced it in the public space – commanders, the president, the commander-in-chief, someone else – that the populated area was liberated,” he explained.

Recent Battlefield Developments

The situation in eastern Ukraine remains dynamic. Recent reports indicate that Volchansk, in the Kharkiv region, has been largely destroyed following intense fighting, though Russian offensive operations have been halted DeepState. Elsewhere, Ukrainian defense forces have reportedly destroyed command posts of Russian occupation forces near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, with the extent of enemy losses still being assessed.

Key Takeaways

• Ukrainian forces have cleared approximately 80 square kilometers in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
• Continuous enemy infiltration poses a significant challenge to consolidating gains.
• Enemy infantry is heavily concentrated in the contested areas.
• A distinction exists between clearing territory and fully liberating populated areas.