Russian forces are making continued advances toward the town of Huliaipole in southeastern Ukraine, employing a new offensive template that combines prolonged air attacks, tactical strikes, infiltration missions, and concentrated small-unit assaults, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The situation remains serious as Russian troops attempt to isolate Huliaipole from the north while advancing from the northeast and east.
Geolocated footage from November 20 suggests Russian forces have recently seized the village of Vesele east of Huliaipole. Russian military sources credited the 114th Motorized Rifle Regiment with the operation.
Fog and terrain help Russian units evade Ukrainian drone surveillance
ISW reports that Russian troops are exploiting fog, low-lying terrain, and foliage to avoid detection by Ukrainian drones.
The tactic has also been used in recent operations near Velykomykhailivka, where Russian units reportedly moved under cover of fog to seize nearby settlements, including Hai. Analysts say the combination of environmental cover and coordinated small-unit attacks forms a core part of Russia’s current offensive approach.
Ukrainian forces remain engaged in the area, working to counter Russian advances while monitoring attempts to bypass drone surveillance. The ISW assessment indicates that Russia continues to rely on these methods to maintain momentum along this front.
