Ukraine’s military situation has reportedly deteriorated in the southeastern Zaporizhia region, where Ukrainian forces have retreated from five villages after clashes with Russian troops. This development comes as Russia announced its forces have made further inroads into the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk.
The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskii, stated that the situation has markedly worsened in specific areas, particularly in the Oleksandrivka and Huliapole directions. Ukrainian forces have faced significant artillery barrages, with an estimated 2,000 shells fired at their positions, leading to the decision to withdraw due to the destruction of shelters and fortifications.
Footage from Russian sources shows military personnel advancing into Pokrovsk, which Russian media describes as strategically significant due to its location. Syrskii mentioned that Russian advances were facilitated by poor weather conditions, allowing them to penetrate between Ukrainian positions despite suffering heavy casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the situation in Zaporizhia and Pokrovsk as challenging, partly due to weather factors favoring Russian attacks. He noted that conditions have been somewhat more manageable in Kupiansk, where Ukrainian forces reported achieving some success.
Conflicting accounts of the battlefield situation have emerged, with Russia asserting it has encircled Pokrovsk while Ukraine maintains it still has access to supply routes. Additionally, Russia claimed control over portions of Kupiansk and specific military infrastructure, marking a continued push in the region. Observers have pointed out a thinning of Ukrainian front lines amid reported shortages of personnel and the impact of Russian drone operations.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/12/ukrainian-forces-pull-back-under-fierce-russian-pressure-in-zaporizhia?traffic_source=rss