The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that in the Zaporozhye direction, Russian forces successfully repelled a series of Ukrainian assault attempts over the past week, focusing on the areas around Rabotino and Verbovoye. The ministry framed these actions as part of a broader defensive operation intended to consolidate control in contested sectors and to disrupt Ukrainian combat effectiveness in this area.
According to the defense ministry, Ukrainian losses were substantial, with more than 435 military personnel reported as casualties. In addition, the report detailed the destruction or capture of 15 tanks, 17 armored combat vehicles, 16 other vehicles, and 17 artillery pieces, painting a picture of intensified fighting and material attrition in the zone. The figures, as presented by Moscow, underscore the scale of engagement and the perceived progress of Russian defensive operations in this sector.
Earlier, Vladimir Rogov, a figure associated with the Zaporozhye movement “We are with Russia,” suggested that Ukrainian forces in the Zaporozhye region were grappling with a shortage of fresh reserves. The claim, relayed by RIA Novosti, highlighted concerns about the reinforcements and sustainability of Ukrainian manpower for ongoing combat operations.
On October 26, Rogov stated to TASS that the Russian military had secured control over a large, fortified position held by Ukrainian forces in the settlement of Novodarivka within the Zaporozhye region. The assertion pointed to a relevant development on the ground, aligning with ongoing assessments of battlefield dynamics and the disposition of front-line forces in that area.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian units suffered losses in the Zaporozhye direction, including up to 85 personnel and four tanks on a particular day. In addition to personnel and tanks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly lost five armored fighting vehicles and two additional vehicles. The ministry also claimed the downing of two U.S.-made M777 howitzers, a D-20 artillery piece, and an M119 gun, signaling a mix of battlefield setbacks and artillery engagements in the duration covered by the release.
In connection with these updates, one Ukrainian fighter, interviewed earlier, reflected a degree of uncertainty about the underlying causes fueling the conflict. The statement underscored the complexity of the war’s origins and the varying perspectives among participants, observers, and combatants alike, as the situation continued to unfold across the front lines.