ISW: Ukrainian forces are reportedly pushing back Russian infiltrators in western Zaporizhia Oblast

Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on May 10 that Ukrainian forces reduced the size of the Russian infiltration area south of Novodanylivka (south of Orikhiv) and pushed back Russian forces in central Stepnohirsk (northwest of Orikhiv). Mashovets added that Ukrainian forces eliminated most Russian assault groups southeast of Stepnohirsk. A Russian milblogger similarly claimed on May 9 that Ukrainian forces continued counterattacks in central Stepnohirsk and that Russian forces are unable to stabilize the situation. Mashovets’ statements on April 29 and May 10 indicate that Russian forces are confined to the southern outskirts of Stepnohirsk. Mashovets also reported that Ukrainian forces maintain positions on the Yanchekrak River northwest of Stepove (west of Orikhiv) and north of Lobkove (southwest of Orikhiv), indicating that Russian forces likely infiltrated around these Ukrainian positions rather than seizing them as previously assessed. The Russian milblogger similarly claimed that Ukrainian forces seized four settlements northwest of Orikhiv, including Lukyanivske, and operate in most parts of Prymorske. Ukrainian forces have been advancing in western Zaporizhia Oblast since late April 2025 and recently liberated several settlements in the area. These advances follow Ukrainian advances that began in February 2026, and cumulatively have eliminated Russian gains made in the area since roughly mid-2025.