Russia abandons push on Stepnohirsk after heavy losses; average mobilized soldier survived 12 minutes

Russian forces are abandoning attempts to advance on Stepnohirsk in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast after suffering heavy losses, according to Ihor Burdeinyi, commander of the 128th Separate Zakarpattia Mountain Assault Brigade.

Burdeinyi said in a national television broadcast, per UNIAN, that the average survival time of a newly mobilized Russian soldier near Stepnohirsk was around 12 minutes. "The enemy suffered serious losses on this axis and is most likely abandoning this direction," the commander stated.

Stepnohirsk remains fully under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces, Burdeinyi said, adding that there are no Russian troops inside the settlement itself. Russian forces continue artillery and FPV drone strikes in an attempt to create the appearance of activity, he noted.

According to Burdeinyi, the Russian command likely began pulling units away from the Stepnohirsk direction for replenishment after repeated failed assaults. He suggested Russia could intensify activity near Lukianivka and Pavlivka, although he stressed the situation there remains fully under Ukrainian control.

Ukrainian troops hold Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, and other settlements along this sector of the front, Burdeinyi said. Russian forces are now using armored vehicles primarily to evacuate wounded personnel, while assault operations are being carried out mostly by small infantry groups. "Ukrainian troops remain in the other settlements, including Mali Shcherbaky and Stepove, so we fully control the situation on this front," the commander said.