Russian forces reported capturing Verkhnia Tersa, a fortified Ukrainian logistical hub in Zaporizhzhia region's Huliaipole direction, in May 2026 through assaults by the Vostok grouping's marine and motorized units, securing roughly 12.5 square kilometers. As of early October 2026, Russian sources describe ongoing offensive actions west of the Verkhnia Tersa river, including assaults on nearby settlements such as Vozdvyzhivka and Hirke, while Ukrainian reports note repeated Russian attacks aimed at expanding control and flanking the area. Trader sentiment reflects the pace of incremental Russian advances amid high attrition, Ukrainian defensive repositioning, and the timeline to any specified resolution date, with broader Zaporizhzhia front dynamics and artillery-drone exchanges as key variables.