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Ukraine Retakes Three Villages—Russia Is Already Diverting Marines and Tanks to Stop the Push
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian forces reportedly liberated three settlements near Oleksandrivka and continued pressing Russian positions, prompting Moscow to redirect marine and armored units that had been intended for offensive operations elsewhere, according to an October 25 assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets reported that Ukrainian forces retook Perebudova, Komar, and Fedorivka, located east and south of Oleksandrivka.
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Ukrainian troops also advanced from Vesele toward Skudne. Citing Mashovets, ISW assessed that Ukrainian forces likely pushed Russian troops out of a salient northwest of the Fedorivka-Burlatske line.
However, fighting has not ended in the area. Russian forces reportedly still hold positions on the northeastern edge of Perebudova, meaning the situation remains contested despite recent Ukrainian gains.
NEW: Ukrainian forces are making slow but tactically significant gains in the Oleksandrivka direction that may later threaten Russian logistics and efforts in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions over the long term.
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 26, 2026
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Ukraine had a slightly lower but… pic.twitter.com/fcWTttM1Wx
The counterattacks appear to be forcing Russia to adjust its force deployments.
According to Mashovets, Russian commanders moved elements of the Baltic Fleet’s 120th Naval Infantry Division and the Pacific Fleet’s 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade into the Oleksandrivka sector. Those formations are now being used defensively instead of supporting Russian offensive operations toward Huliaipole.
ISW noted that Russian naval infantry units are generally considered among Moscow’s more combat-capable formations and are often deployed to priority sectors.
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Elements of both formations had previously fought on the Dobropillia axis before being moved toward Oleksandrivka in March 2026.
Russian commanders have also reportedly transferred elements of the 90th Tank Division into the area. Those units had originally been intended to support Russian operations toward Druzhkivka.
Ukraine has been conducting counterattacks on the Oleksandrivka axis since early February 2026. ISW assesses the effort as part of a broader Ukrainian attempt to disrupt Russian offensive plans rather than simply regain isolated pieces of terrain.
Further Ukrainian advances could threaten the rear of Russian forces pushing west of Huliaipole, potentially complicating Moscow’s broader effort to approach Orikhiv from multiple directions.
Velyka Novosilka also sits near an important road network supporting Russian operations in the area, meaning continued Ukrainian pressure could increasingly disrupt logistics and force Moscow to commit more units simply to hold its existing positions.
ISW described the Ukrainian gains as slow but tactically significant. Their broader impact will depend on whether Ukrainian forces can sustain the advance and how many additional troops Russia is forced to divert from offensive operations elsewhere to contain it.
Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow’s forces had captured approximately 6,500 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory and 310 settlements since the beginning of 2026. However, independent battlefield assessments suggest Russia’s actual territorial gains are roughly 45 times smaller than the Kremlin’s claims.
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