Russian forces have conducted sustained offensive operations southwest of Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast since early 2026, targeting Verkhnia Tersa as a key fortified position to open routes toward Orikhiv and further west. Russian Defense Ministry statements claimed control over the settlement in late May following months of artillery strikes and incremental advances, though Ukrainian units later reported clearing Russian infiltration groups from the area in July and ongoing clashes into August. Ukrainian defensive lines, drone operations, and localized counter-moves remain the primary barriers. No confirmed major territorial shifts in the immediate sector have occurred in the past month, with fighting centered on adjacent settlements and supply routes. Upcoming developments hinge on Russian force concentrations, Ukrainian reinforcement capacity, and any escalation in artillery or air support along this axis.