The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that they are applying a new “offensive template” on the Huliaipole front, in southeastern Ukraine, centered on the use of environmental conditions and coordinated attacks by small units to gradually gain ground.
According to the agency, Moscow combines continuous bombing, tactical raids, infiltration missions and small group assaults to put pressure on Ukrainian defenses, while trying to encircle Huliaipole from the north and advance simultaneously from the northeast and the east.
Geolocated material dated November 20 indicates that Russian troops had recently taken Vesele, a settlement located east of Huliaipole. According to Russian military sources, the operation was carried out by the 114th Motorized Rifle Regiment.
He points out that seasonal fog, vegetation and terrain configuration allow Russian soldiers to evade detection by Ukrainian drones, reducing the effectiveness of aerial surveillance. These conditions would also have been key in recent Russian advances near Velykomykhailivka, where small units took advantage of low visibility to capture Hai and other nearby positions.
Analysts consider that this combination – natural cover, tactical mobility and precision attacks by compact groups – has become a central element of the Russian offensive in this part of the front.
The Ukrainian army continues to be deployed in the area, trying to stop advances and adjusting its reconnaissance operations. to counter Russian attempts to circumvent drones. Despite the difficulties imposed by environmental conditions, Kyiv assures that it maintains active defensive lines and response capacity.
Finally, the ISW has indicated that Russia will continue to resort to these tactics of “low visibility” to retain the initiative in the Huliaipole axis while evaluating opportunities for further territorial gains.
