ISW confirms new Russian advance near Shcherbaky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russian forces made advances in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Ukrainian monitoring project Deep State reports continued Russian infiltration attempts in several Zaporizhzhia Oblast villages, with most failing due to sustained Ukrainian drone strikes.

Russian troops push east of Shcherbaky amid infiltration attempts

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its 18 January daily report that Russian forces have recently advanced east of Shcherbaky, a village located west of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This assessment is based on geolocated footage published on the same day, which showed Russian units operating in the area. ISW noted that while Russian forces advanced east of Shcherbaky, this did not change the forward edge of the battle area.

The ISW noted that Russian forces also continued offensive operations toward Huliaipole but did not make any confirmed gains there. 

ISW also analyzed geolocated footage released on 17 and 18 January showing Russian infiltration activity near the T-0814 Huliaipole-Tavriiske road and on the eastern outskirts of Prymorske, respectively. While Russian forces were active in these zones, the institute assessed that there was no change to the forward edge of the battle area.

Ukrainian drones neutralize Russian infiltration in Stepnohirsk

Meanwhile, Ukrainian frontline monitoring project Deep State reported that Russian troops have continued infiltration attempts in Stepnohirsk. According to the project, the invading forces have not changed their tactics in this village and regularly try to enter and stay within it. Deep State emphasized that while the infiltrations may initially appear successful, Russian soldiers do not remain in the village for long due to continuous drone attacks. The monitoring project also noted that the invaders aim to amass troops in the area for future offensives but fail to establish a sustained presence.

Prymorske becomes another infiltration hotspot

Russian forces are also attempting to infiltrate Prymorske, west of Orikhiv. Deep State reported that due to their numerical advantage, Russian troops are consistently observed in the village. They either hide and attempt to build up forces for a push forward or immediately head toward Richne. According to Deep State, most of them die during this effort.

The project described this ongoing infiltration as part of a wider pattern in which Russian troops try to exploit gaps in Ukrainian defenses—areas with limited manpower and low density between positions.

Rising Russian activity near Lukianivske and Pavlivka

Infiltration attempts by small infantry groups have also increased toward Lukianivske and Pavlivka. Deep State identified this as the area with the highest recent activity and a shift in the movement vector of Russian forces. Here too, Ukrainian Defense Forces reportedly maintain continuous operations to destroy enemy units.

According to the monitoring project, Russian forces are probing Ukrainian defenses in search of weak spots, especially where manpower shortages reduce the density of defensive positions. Deep State underscores that these gaps are being exploited for repeated infiltration efforts, which are typically met with Ukrainian countermeasures.