Photo: EPA
Kyiv is increasingly relying on a limited number of battle-hardened units to stabilize crisis areas along the front line. Russian pressure across the entire line of contact is keeping Ukraine’s defenses stretched to the limit.
The situation in northeastern and southern Ukraine has highlighted the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ critical dependence on a small number of elite units. While Ukrainian troops have managed to almost completely push Russian forces out of Kupiansk, units near Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia sector were forced to retreat. According to the Financial Times, the differing outcomes on these fronts are primarily explained by the quantity and quality of forces deployed.
“Firefighting” tactics and unequal reserve allocation
Due to the mobilization crisis and a shortage of resources, Kyiv has been compelled to adopt “firefighting” tactics—deploying assault units to the hottest sections of the front to stabilize the situation.
Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst at the Black Bird Group, notes that this strategy has a downside: while elite units are extinguishing a “fire” in one area, the front may crack elsewhere. Russian command deliberately applies pressure along the entire line of contact to prevent Ukraine from concentrating reserves on priority directions such as the Donbas.
Why the Kupiansk operation succeeded
The operation to push Russian forces out of Kupiansk was carefully planned and conducted under strict secrecy. Units advanced covertly through forests in the autumn until they reached the city itself. During street fighting, password and marking systems were used to avoid friendly fire. According to Ukrainian soldiers, the key factors behind the success were:
Elite involvement: battle-hardened units took part in the assaults, including the 13th Khartiia Brigade and drone operators from the Lazar group.
Priority resourcing: “firefighting” assault units receive armored vehicles and manpower reinforcements faster than others.
Geography: the city is divided by the Oskil River and surrounded by forests, creating natural obstacles for Russian forces.
Critical situation near Huliaipole
In contrast to the northern success, the situation on the southern front proved far more difficult. Over two months, Russian troops advanced nearly 15 kilometers, reaching the outskirts of Huliaipole.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi blamed the breakthrough on the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade, stating that the unit failed to withstand the pressure, allowing Russian forces to seize a battalion command post. Analyst Rob Lee notes that Territorial Defense brigades often have poorer equipment and weaker drone capabilities compared to elite units. The situation is further complicated by the open steppe terrain of Zaporizhzhia, which makes defense under artillery fire particularly challenging.
However, Ukraine’s main challenge remains the shortage of manpower and widespread demotivation. Ukraine’s new defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, cited stark figures: about two million Ukrainians are wanted for draft evasion, and another 200,000 servicemen have gone absent without leave.
It is worth recalling that over the past week, Russian occupation forces captured 43 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory—effectively about 6.1 square kilometers per day.
