Russian forces captured Huliaipole in January 2026 after months of incremental advances across eastern Dnipropetrovsk and northeastern Zaporizhzhia oblasts, establishing the town as a staging area for further operations aimed at bypassing Ukrainian positions near Orikhiv and reaching the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia City. As of late September 2026, Russian units continue localized offensive probes in the Hulyaipole direction without confirmed territorial gains, while Ukrainian 7th Air Assault Corps elements disrupt logistics through targeted strikes on ammunition depots, bridges near Polohy, Grad systems, and drone operator positions. Ukrainian counteroffensive activity in adjacent sectors and improved corps-level coordination have slowed Russian momentum, though open terrain favors infantry infiltration and artillery support. Trader assessments of any remaining timeline depend on sustained Ukrainian interdiction versus Russian force regeneration in the sector.