The Capture Of Malaya Tokmachka: Russia’s 58th Army Expands Its Bridgehead In Zaporozhye

Russian units in Pokrovsk have cut off the M-30 highway near the industrial zone. The 58th Army has established control over a significant portion of Malaya Tokmachka. The EU and Ukraine are developing a 12-point conflict resolution plan.

Pokrovsk direction:

In Pokrovsk, urban combat continues to intensify. According to operational data, Ukrainian forces are present throughout the city, controlling the area around the hippodrome and sections of the Sazonova gully near Nulyovka and Pervy Stavok. They also hold the «Yuzhny», «Shakhtyorsky» and «Solnechny» microdistricts.

Russian units are employing a tactic of first blocking Ukrainian positions and then advancing assault groups. According to Russian sources, this tactic poses a partial encirclement threat to the Ukrainian garrison in the city’s central and southwestern areas.

On the western flank, Russian units are advancing along the railway line towards Sergeevka while simultaneously engaging in combat near the «Pokrovskoye» mine administration in Lenino. Clearing operations are ongoing in the industrial zone to the west of the city, as well as along the railway tracks to the east of the station.

In the city center, assault units have seized the bus station and are battling for control of the wooded areas in the Gnatovka district, where the Ukrainian forces have set up a stronghold.

Particular focus is being given to advancing along Zheleznodorozhnaya Street, with the aim of consolidating positions within the railway station territory. According to Russian sources, success in this area could potentially lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the Sobachyovka and Yuzhny microdistricts.

According to confirmed data, Russian units have cut the M-30 highway in the industrial zone on the western outskirts of the city. There is a significant accumulation of damaged and destroyed equipment in the vicinity of the city.

Sumy direction:

Russian sources report that marine assault groups advanced 200 meters on the right flank of the offensive and subsequently consolidated their positions. The Ukrainian side reportedly undertook three counterattacks in the Konstantinovka area with forces from the 225th Separate Assault Brigade, which were reportedly repelled.

There were no significant changes to the frontline in the Tetkino and Glushkovo sectors. Russian aviation and artillery have struck identified positions in the Iskriskovshchina and Ryzhevka areas. Reports are coming in about the arrival of additional National Guard of Ukraine units in the Sumy region.

Kharkiv direction:

In Vovchansk, Russian forces continue operations on the left bank of the Volchya River. According to Russian military sources, they have advanced 200 meters and cleared five technical buildings. In the forested area to the west of Sinelnikovo, Russian units have advanced 200 meters deeper into the forest.

In the Tikhoye area, Russian units reportedly advanced 500 meters and cleared two tree lines. In the Melovoye-Khatneye sector, Russian sources report an advance of 500 metres through tree plantations, as well as the repelling of two counterattacks. Russian sources mention the involvement of foreign legion units on the Ukrainian side in counterattacks in the Otradnoye area.

Kupyansk direction:

Positional combat operations are ongoing in Kupyansk. According to Russian sources, assault units have advanced 1 km southwards through residential areas and occupied new positions in the «Yubileyny» microdistrict.

Zaporozhye direction:

A significant intensification of combat operations was noted on 21 October in the area of Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye direction. According to Russian sources, units of the 58th Army launched a large-scale offensive with several columns of armored vehicles which moved simultaneously from three directions: Rabotino, Nesteryanka and Novopokrovka.

Operational information indicates that Russian tank crews created numerous passages through minefields, enabling the armored vehicles to breach the fortified lines. Despite opposition from Ukrainian UAV operators and the use of HIMARS MLRS, a significant proportion of the attacking units reached the center of Malaya Tokmachka.

Combat in the settlement was intense, covering approximately three-quarters of the area. Russian sources report that units of the 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division, supported by the 70th Motorised Rifle Regiment, established control over much of Malaya Tokmachka, including the territory of Correctional Colony No. 88. Measures are currently underway to consolidate positions and conduct final clearance operations.

According to available data, the Ukrainian side is urgently strengthening its group of UAV operators in this area. However, Russian sources report a decline in the effectiveness of Ukrainian UAV operations, due to a shortage of trained personnel and substantial losses. According to Russian estimates, Ukrainian formations are hastily preparing a new defensive line along the Omehlnyk-Yegorovka-Novosyolovka-Gulyaypolskoye route.

A notable aspect of the operational situation is the emergence of a “grey zone” stretching from Rabotino to Malaya Tokmachka, gradually shifting towards Orekhov. Russian sources report the absence of Ukrainian units in this zone, but note that the Ukrainian side is carrying out intensive artillery and UAV strikes with the aim of hindering the advance of Russian troops and disrupting their logistics.

Conclusion:

On 21 October, the operational situation was characterized by high-intensity hostilities on most fronts. On the Pokrovsk axis, key events included the continuation of urban warfare, with Russian units gradually expanding their control over the central districts of the city, and the cutting of the M-30 highway on the western outskirts, creating additional logistical difficulties for the Ukrainian garrison. In the Mirnograd area, Russian units are advancing on the city from several directions. In the Zaporozhye region, intensified fighting in the Malaya Tokmachka area shows that Russian units still have offensive capabilities, while Ukraine is strengthening its defenses along the Omelnyk-Yegorovka-Novosyolovka-Gulyaypolskoye line. On the Kharkiv and Sumy axes, Ukrainian units are maintaining active defense and counterattacking actions while advancing in a positional manner. A common feature of the fighting on all fronts is the heavy use of unmanned aerial vehicles, which significantly influences the warfare tactics of both sides.

In diplomatic news, reports emerged on 21 October that the European Union and Ukraine were developing a specific 12-point settlement plan. According to the Bloomberg news agency, the plan involves ending the conflict along the current line of contact. Key provisions of the proposal include an immediate ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, returning children to Ukraine, providing Kyiv with security guarantees and reconstruction funds, and the possibility of accelerated EU accession. It is proposed that sanctions against Russia be lifted gradually and that the Central Bank’s frozen assets be returned only after Moscow agrees to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction. It is assumed that the plan’s implementation will be overseen by an international council chaired by US President Donald Trump.

However, the prospects for the proposal remain uncertain as it does not take Russia’s consistent position into account. The Kremlin has stated that the issue of ‘freezing’ the conflict has repeatedly been raised in discussions with the United States and that Moscow’s position on this matter remains consistent and unchanged. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized that, for a long-term and sustainable settlement, the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated. Therefore, the current diplomatic initiative apparently does not address fundamental disagreements, calling into question its practical feasibility.

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