The situation on the southern axis continues to escalate, with an increase in Russian assault groups, combat engagements, and artillery attacks.
This was reported by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces.
“The situation in the south is showing a daily trend toward escalation. We’ve seen a sharp rise in combat clashes, airstrikes using guided aerial bombs and unguided rockets, drone attacks, artillery shelling — and, of course, more attempts by the enemy to break through our defensive lines,” Voloshyn said.
According to him, during the second week of summer:
- The number of combat engagements with the enemy rose by 33%.
- Missile strikes increased by 50%.
- Strikes on southern settlements using Shahed drones grew by one-third.
- The use of kamikaze drones rose by 10% compared to the previous week.
“Currently, the enemy is launching an average of 700–710 drone attacks per day — about 400 in the Zaporizhzhia direction, and 280–300 in the Kherson area,” he added. Enemy losses over the past week also increased by 10%.
Voloshyn did not confirm a significant increase in the overall number of Russian troops in the south, but noted a clear rise in the number of assault units.
“While the overall troop count has slightly increased, there has been a noticeable surge in enemy assault units. These are formations that had been stationed at training centers and ranges in the temporarily occupied territories — and are now being moved closer to the front line. Many of these groups have already been deployed to forward positions and are carrying out assault operations,” the spokesperson explained.
Voloshyn also said that both sides are now conducting strikes 5–7 km deep into the so-called 'dead zone' beyond the front line.
“We're now seeing a phase where Russian assault groups are being moved to front-line positions, concentrating stealthily in small numbers — one or two people at a time. In particular, they have resumed active assaults in the Huliaipole sector, even attempting to break through toward the village of Malynivka using motorcycles,” he said.
