Ukrainian forces under ‘intense’ pressure in south, as troop shortage bites

Ukrainian military units in the southern theatre of operations are facing growing pressure from advancing Russian brigades, as Moscow’s forces continue to make territorial gains amid what analysts describe as a critical shortage of Ukrainian infantry and reinforcements.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, heavy fighting has centred on and around the town of Huliaipole, roughly 80 kilometres east of the regional capital, where Russian troops have pushed across open terrain and expanded control over hundreds of square kilometres since early December. A Ukrainian security service officer, speaking under the call sign “Bankir,” described the situation on Wednesday as “intense,” with Russian forces attempting to strengthen their front and improve their negotiating position.

Independent conflict analysts report that Ukrainian troops in the south are vastly outnumbered, with territorial brigades and less‑equipped units bearing the brunt of sustained Russian pressure. Reinforcements have been difficult to deploy due to manpower shortages and the prioritisation of other critical fronts, resulting in diminishing defensive depth along parts of the roughly 1,000‑kilometre front line.

Combat observers note that while Ukrainian forces use drones and other technical assets to mitigate numerical disadvantages in open areas, urbanised and built‑up zones like Huliaipole have afforded Russian infantry better cover, complicating defensive operations. Some monitoring groups describe the town as a “grey zone,” with Russian troops gaining ground despite ongoing resistance.

Military analysts say Ukraine’s personnel strains stem from years of intense warfare, high casualty rates and difficulty in circulating frontline units for rest and reinforcement. The need to prioritise other sectors of the battlefield has left southern positions more exposed at a time when Russian offensives remain unrelenting.

Source: CNN