Russian army reels after Ukraine wipes out over 300 troops in brutal attack

Russian 240 mm self-propelled heavy mortar 2S4 «Tyulpan» explodes (Image: X social media)

Ukraine's army continues to inflict heavy casualties on Vladimir Putin's troops, as fighting intensifies on several fronts. Russia is pushing hard to make a significant breakthrough on the battlefield before the onset of winter.

While all eyes are on the besieged city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, the Kremlin's forces have also stepped up their attacks in the south. With Ukraine's forces stretched to the limit, Russian units have sought to exploit gaps in Kyiv's southern defence line. Over the last week or so, Russian forces have made "rapid progress" in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian soldiers have made 'rapid progress' in southern Ukraine (Image: X social media)

According to one Ukrainian military blogger, the Russians have "advanced on the right flank towards Zaporizhzhia, bypassing the entire southern defence line through the Dnipropetrovsk region."

Researchers from the US think tank the Institute for the Study of War have also noted Russian territorial gains in the south over the weekend.

In their latest war bulletin, they wrote: "Geolocated footage published on November 15 shows Russian forces raising flags in Yablukove (northeast of Hulyaipole), indicating that Russian forces likely seized the settlement."

However, Ukraine's Southern Army has launched a brutal counterattack, inflicting massive casualties on the Russians in just 24 hours of fighting.

"Over the past day, the Southern Defence Forces destroyed more than 300 occupiers and over 50 units of enemy military equipment, including hitting the Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system," they wrote on their Telegram channel.

They added: "During a night-time drone attack, the Southern Defence Forces destroyed 26 Shahed-136 UAVs. Southern Ukraine defenders detected and destroyed 9 enemy UAV operator teams.

Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues in and around Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub for Ukraine's army in the east.

The city has endured 21-months of intense Russian attacks, and is on the verge of being captured.

Ukraine has rushed up special force units to try and stem the Russian tide and insists the fight is far from over.

Kyiv's army says it is continuing active offensive operations in the Ocheretyne direction (which includes the Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and Dobropillia sectors).

"Since the beginning of this week, our troops have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces: 755 occupiers neutralised; 1 tank, 11 armoured vehicles, 3 artillery systems, 2 vehicles, 1 piece of special equipment, and 12 motorcycles/ATVs destroyed or significantly damaged," the General Staff said.

"From 21 August 2025 to the present, enemy losses in the Ocheretyne sector have amounted to approximately 19,270 Russian personnel and 1,493 pieces of weaponry and military equipment.

"Ukrainian forces have also destroyed more than 5,770 enemy drones of various types. In total, during the operation — as of 15 November 2025 — 189 km² have been liberated, and 259.4 km² of the Pokrovsk district have been completely cleared of enemy sabotage groups.”