Currently, there are not many combat clashes in the southern direction, but Russians regrouping and preparation for intensifying hostilities within a few days is observed.
This was reported on a live broadcast by the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn.
“The situation in the south remains difficult, but the Southern Defense Forces control it. Over the past day in the Zaporizhzhia directions, including Huliaipole and Orikhiv, there were not many combat clashes, but the enemy carried out air strikes, artillery shelling, and frequently used kamikaze drone attacks. Additionally, in another southern direction — Kherson or Prydniprovskyi — the enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to storm our positions and shelled Kherson itself and adjacent territorial communities on the right bank with artillery, also using kamikaze drones. So the situation is quite complicated,” Voloshyn said.
According to him, the Russian forces are currently regrouping forces and means, conducting reconnaissance, and carrying out logistical support.
“All signs indicate that soon — within a few days — they will again begin active assault operations,” the spokesperson summarized.
Commenting on the situation on the islands, Voloshyn noted it is quite difficult because the Russians are trying to cross them unnoticed by the Defense Forces.
“The situation on the islands is indeed quite complicated now, because the enemy, taking advantage of the very extensive and large system of these islands, tries to secretly cross to one of the islands — particularly in the southern part of this island zone: Kozulyskyi, Nestriha, Buhas, Zabych islands — and attempts to seize a foothold there. However, we do not let them in, we destroy them, and even their smallest attempts have been unsuccessful,” Voloshyn explained.
He also noted that the Russians continue trying to approach the Antonivski Bridges, where the crossing of the Dnipro River is narrowest, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces do not allow them to get close.
According to the spokesperson, the Russians, like the Defense Forces, is mining approaches to the shore of the occupied southern part of Ukraine, fearing that Ukrainian defenders will seize a bridgehead.
“Unfortunately, the Russians are very afraid that the Ukrainian Defense Forces will conduct an operation similar to the one in Krynyky a year and a half ago and will also take a foothold on the left bank. Therefore, the occupiers are engineering and fortifying these locations on several sections where they concentrate their forces and resources. They have strengthened measures to defend and guard these places. In addition, they constantly conduct training and exercises on repelling our crossing attempts,” the spokesperson said.
He added that a few days ago, the Russian troops strengthened their garrison on the Kinburn and Tendrivskaya Spits, deploying artillery and anti-tank assets there, fearing that the Defense Forces will carry out a crossing and seize this bridgehead.
