Russian forces are trying to advance on the southern front to approach Zaporizhzhia, the main regional city, itself. The last major obstacle on their path is the small village of Stepnohirsk, which the Ukrainian soldiers are defending as fiercely as they can, The Times reports.
“I reckon the life expectancy of one mobilised Russian here is about 12 minutes, no more. And the cost of his life, in terms of shells and FPVs spent to kill him, is about $5,000-$6,000," officer from Ukraine's “FERRATA” group, also known as Nine, notes.
The FERRATA group conducts reconnaissance, counterattacks, and raids against Russian positions, pushing them back whenever they attempt to occupy forward positions.
The battle for Stepnohirsk is fought by elite units
Russia has deployed two airborne divisions, a motorized rifle division, and a special forces brigade to the village. Facing them, in roughly a seven-to-one ratio, are Ukrainian Defense Intelligence special forces, supported by a small number of infantry, drones, and territorial defense units.
FERRATA special forces operate under drone and artillery fire: high-risk frontline missions
In December, Sergeant “Ice,” commander of the FERRATA unit, led a mission to establish observation and ambush points near a farm occupied by the Russians. Ice and his 15-man team traveled part of the way by vehicle, then proceeded on foot in four groups.
“One neighbour was killed immediately — a direct hit by a drone. And my fighter too: mortar fragments wounded him and then they finished him with an FPV drone,” Ice recounts.
Fighting continues under drone and artillery fire: survival in burning trenches
The remaining team members hid in a trench, revealing their position.
“In 15 minutes eight FPV drones flew into our dugout, it was already half-destroyed and started burning. Mortars and artillery were smashing the area, so we didn’t leave and we didn’t start putting it out — we let the enemy think we burnt up,” Ice says.
More than 70% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is under Russian occupation. However, the region's main city, Zaporizhzhia, remains under Ukrainian control.
If the Russians come close, it will mean people have no time to hide from artillery, and the city has no subway to shelter all the civilians.
While Pokrovsk remains the primary focus for Russian forces, the southern Zaporizhzhia direction could become decisive in 2026.
