Key Zaporizhzhia Town Falls to Ukraine Alongside Kharkiv Gains

(KYIV) – Ukraine has achieved significant advances on multiple fronts, securing control of Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region while simultaneously regaining Odradne and approximately 22 square kilometres of territory in the Kharkiv region.

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, key locations in Stepnohirsk have come under the control of Ukrainian Defence Forces following intense urban combat, the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has reported. Fighters of the “Artan” special unit of the GUR dislodged Russian occupiers from fortified positions and are continuing clearing operations throughout the settlement.

“Stepnohirsk under control: soldiers of the ‘Artan’ special unit of the GUR MO of Ukraine continue clearing the city,” the GUR reported.

The intelligence agency released exclusive footage of intensive combat work by stormtroopers of the “Artan” special unit on the Zaporizhzhia front. “During the operation, which took place in close coordination with adjacent units, military intelligence special forces conducted a series of active offensive actions aimed at ousting the Russian occupiers from the city and stabilising the situation in the settlement,” the GUR indicated.

The agency noted that an enemy FPV “lurker” drone attempted to attack the vehicles on which GUR special forces groups drove to storm the invaders’ positions. “The equipment on which the GUR special forces groups drove to storm the invaders’ positions was attempted to be attacked by an enemy FPV ‘lurker’, but it was destroyed in cold blood,” the GUR stated.

“As a result of battles in difficult urban conditions, the forces of the Russian occupiers were ousted from fortified positions, and key locations in Stepnohirsk came under the control of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine,” the GUR emphasised.

Commander of “Artan,” Viktor Torkotiuk, described the coordinated nature of the operation. “Assault actions were carried out in a coordinated manner, using aerial reconnaissance and precision fire strikes. Every house was checked for ‘surprises’ and remnants of the occupier’s manpower. We do not rule out that the enemy will continue attempts to enter the city again, but we are ready for this,” Torkotiuk said.

Separately, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reported that Russian occupiers are unsuccessfully attempting to occupy Stepnohirsk in the Vasylivka district, committing significant resources while suffering enormous losses. Budanov, who headed the GUR from 5 August 2020 to 2 January 2026, reposted video of the battles.

“I thank the special forces of the GUR of the MoD of Ukraine and all units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, who all this time have demonstrated professionalism and courage, holding the lines and destroying the Russian occupiers, giving them no chance to threaten Zaporizhzhia,” Budanov’s post reads.

In the Kharkiv region, the Defence Forces regained control of Odradne and approximately 22 square kilometres of territory, the 16th Corps confirmed on 15 May 2026.

Footage of the Zaporizhzhia operation was released by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The engagement took place in Stepnohirsk, Vasylivka district, Zaporizhzhia region. The Kharkiv operation was reported by the 16th Corps, with advances recorded in Odradne, Kharkiv region.