The Russians have significantly slowed down their advance towards Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast due to the successful actions of Ukraine's defence forces' military command.

Source: DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts

Details: Analysts say that the events of the past week could have ended with the complete loss of the city as early as this month, but thanks to the correct decisions of the military command, a "major tragedy" was avoided.

DeepState explained that it all began with the loss of Poltavka and Uspenivka. A decision was made for one of the assault units to rapidly fortify new defensive lines south of Novouspenivske, as it was impossible to regain the lost positions. Meanwhile, the 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade, which had been holding relatively successfully on the right, despite withdrawing sometimes, was managing to restrain the Russian forces.

When the Russians pushed through the positions of the 102nd Brigade's neighbours on the left, infiltrated Russian groups appeared on its flank and in its rear. Simultaneously, one of the 102nd Brigade's battalions lost command and control, and its personnel were "left to their fate". The soldiers, unsure of what to do, decided to withdraw as a whole unit. Nearly two companies began leaving the area of Zelenyi Hai and Vysoke in groups.

Before this, understanding the risks, the command had deployed reinforcements from the 225th Separate Assault Battalion and one of the mechanised brigades, which quickly began establishing a new defensive line directly in front of Huliaipole. Incidents of friendly fire were recorded due to the unauthorised withdrawal and ensuing chaos.

After reviewing the situation, cover groups were sent in for support. Unfortunately, on 26 November, five soldiers from one such group were captured by the Russians west of Zelenyi Hai and executed.

Quote from DeepState: "To understand the scale of the chaos: the day before yesterday, a Russian sabotage group captured and executed four pilots in the rear, in one of the forest belts."

Details: However, analysts note that as of now, "the situation is being stabilised due to the effective coordination between the command of Operational Command Pivden (South), the 225th Assault Battalion and the remaining units – the chaos in combat formations has almost completely disappeared, the Russians have significantly slowed their movement towards Huliaipole itself, and a new defensive line has been established."

Background:

• Russian forces captured the village of Zelenyi Hai in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Near the village, Russian soldiers executed five servicemen of Ukraine's defence forces.
• Before that, the Russian army occupied the villages of Vysoke in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Promin in Donetsk Oblast.

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