Defense has collapsed and a mass retreat has begun; part of Ukraine is "falling"

As reported by the Kyiv Independent, this is a sector that has been neglected for years but is now becoming increasingly important for the overall defense of southern Ukraine.

On the same day that footage emerged of Russian convoys breaking through the fog upon entering Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian military issued a statement that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had withdrawn from five villages north of the city of Huliai-Pole in Zaporizhzhia region.

This withdrawal, along with the loss of the settlements of Uspenivka and Novomykolaivka, marks a significant change in the pace of fighting in this part of the front, reports Večernji list.

According to data from the Ukrainian analytical organization Deep State, nearly 70 percent of Russian territorial gains in October were achieved precisely in the eastern parts of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, even though only about 16 percent of total Russian operations are conducted there.

This shows that Russia, with relatively limited resources, is capturing a disproportionately large territory by exploiting weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses.

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The area known as the "Wild Field," vast, sparsely populated plains at the junction of three regions, has historically been a site of conflict involving Cossacks, Tatars, and later anarchist movements. Today, this "no man's land" is once again turning into a hotspot of military pressure.

Ukrainian defenses in this sector have long been low-priority, as the region lacks major urban centers and does not hold the immediate strategic importance of the Donbas.

However, now that Russian forces are advancing toward Huliai-Pole and Pokrovsk, the consequences of neglecting this sector are becoming serious.

Experts warn that if Russian pressure continues, the entire Zaporizhzhia front could be at risk, potentially opening a long-term path toward the city of Zaporizhzhia itself.

Currently, only a few weaker mechanized and territorial brigades are operating in this part of the front, with limited support from drone units.

The situation is further complicated by poor coordination and frequent withdrawals, which prevent the stabilization of defensive lines.

According to the Kyiv Independent, losses in this area are a clear sign of the overstretch of Ukrainian armed forces, struggling with manpower shortages and the inability to effectively cover the entire front line.

While most resources are concentrated on defending the Donbas, the southern part of the country is becoming increasingly vulnerable.

If Russian advances continue into the winter, Moscow could be in a position to bypass Ukrainian defenses in Zaporizhzhia, thereby opening a new strategic axis toward the west.

Although capturing Zaporizhzhia is not currently realistic, merely bringing it within the range of Russian drones would have serious consequences for Ukraine.