Street fighting in Huliaipole: Russian army storms city in waves despite heavy losses

key points:

• The city is almost destroyed and has become a large gray zone,

• Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to hold the city,

• Russian forces are attacking in waves, losing up to 300 of their soldiers killed each day,

• Enemy UAV groups are preparing to use thermobaric grenades,

• In December 2025, the enemy lost more than 10,000 personnel, about 70% of them in the Huliaipole area.

The city of Huliaipole is located in the Zaporizhzhia region and remains one of the key points on the southern front. It lies along a potential axis of advance for Russian forces toward Orikhiv and Zaporizhzhia, as well as near important logistics routes. The spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces told RBC-Ukraine about the situation in the city.

Large gray zone

Huliaipole has become a large gray zone, with extensive destruction and very few places suitable for holding defensive positions. This is why such fighting is ongoing there: for example, an assault group advances, carries out assault actions, tries to move a certain distance, and Ukrainian troops destroy it.

The same situation applies to operations by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, "When we conduct search-and-strike or assault actions, we advance a certain distance, secure ourselves at some facility, and try to bring in a consolidation group. But the enemy does not allow us to entrench ourselves in specific buildings, streets, or blocks."

Voloshyn noted that Ukrainian assault groups are present in all parts of the city, just like Russian ones.

Fighting is taking place both in the city and on the outskirts of Huliaipole

Russian forces are entering the northwestern and southwestern parts of the city. Ukrainian forces are operating in all parts of Huliaipole, trying to cut off enemy logistics and prevent the Russian army from bringing in consolidation groups.

"In addition, the enemy is not operating only within Huliaipole itself — it is trying to envelop the city from the north and south. Fighting is also ongoing for the Huliaipole railway station, which is located on the outskirts of the city. Equally fierce battles are taking place on the northern outskirts, in the settlements of Zelene and Varvarivka," Voloshyn said.

On the intensity of fighting and Russian losses in Huliaipole

"Every day we record about 20–25 combat engagements in Huliaipole itself and up to another ten or two dozen on the outskirts, in these settlements," the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces said, adding that on January 5, 64 combat engagements were recorded — more than in the Pokrovsk direction.

In addition, the enemy is using aviation, carrying out strikes with guided aerial bombs on Huliaipole and nearby settlements.

Despite heavy losses, the Russian army continues active assault operations. According to Voloshyn, they lose approximately 250–300 personnel there every day.

"Over the last month of the year (December 2025, – ed.), the enemy lost more than 10,000 personnel in the south overall, about 70% of them specifically in Huliaipole," he noted.

The enemy has already twice changed the composition of the forces and assets of the brigades and units assaulting Huliaipole. To do so, it redeployed units from other directions in order to carry out consolidation.

On Russian tactics in Huliaipole

"Fighting continues both on the outskirts and in the city center. Combat engagements can last 45–50 minutes. In practice, there are about 25 engagements per day. There is constant noise and shooting: some units go on the assault, others follow. Drones and artillery are also operating," Voloshyn told RBC-Ukraine.

The Russian troops are trying to enter the city center but cannot hold positions there, so they move around through nearby settlements.

In addition, the enemy continues to use the small group tactic, sending assault groups of three to four soldiers who advance with electronic warfare equipment, under the cover of drones and artillery.

"The enemy uses the small group tactic, but wave after wave, to prevent us from bringing in reinforcements and ammunition. Because of this, we sometimes have to withdraw from certain positions," the spokesperson added.

Why the enemy is trying to capture Huliaipole

Huliaipole serves as a foothold for offensive operations toward Zaporizhzhia. This is confirmed by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, "If you want to move in the direction of Zaporizhzhia, you cannot leave behind a fortified city like Huliaipole. It is a fortified area, so the enemy is forced to assault it."

On new threats

In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces also said that the Russian forces have begun using thermobaric grenades in the sector, specifically through their UAV units.

"According to intelligence, the enemy has started receiving UAV-bomber units and handheld thermobaric grenades for drone drops. If shelling continues and our forces are hiding in shelters or dugouts, they plan to use thermobaric weapons. We haven’t encountered this here before, but intelligence confirms that they have already received them and plan to use them," he said.

RBC-Ukraine previously reported that the Russian army is concentrating its main efforts on the Huliaipole and Kamianske directions of the front. At the time, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration noted that the threat to Zaporizhzhia has persisted for years.

Russian units have managed to enter Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region, but Ukraine’s Defense Forces remain in the city and continue their defense.