Russian forces have significantly increased their fire activity in the southern sector of the front, with the most active operations taking place in the Hulyaipole direction.
This was reported by the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn.
"Over the past day, Russian forces have greatly increased their fire activity in the southern direction, especially intensifying their aerial strikes. In the last 24 hours, 14 airstrikes were recorded using 29 guided aerial bombs and 156 unguided rockets. Both tactical and bomber aircraft of the Russian forces were actively targeting the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces as well as populated areas near the frontline,” Voloshyn said.
According to him, in particular, to strike Hulyaipole, Russian forces used 56 unguided aerial rockets, and over 20 were fired at Kamianske. Guided bombs (KABs) were used to strike Stepnohirsk and other settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region. Additionally, over the past day, Russian forces carried out more than 700 strikes using kamikaze drones.
“If we look at the overall figures for the Defense Forces, of the 3,500 kamikaze drone attacks recorded yesterday, 700 were in the south. That means one in five drones was deployed here in the southern sector,” the spokesperson clarified.
Voloshyn also reported that 17 assaults by Russian forces were recorded in the past day, compared to the usual 8–10 per day last week.
“The most active area was the Hulyaipole direction, where Russian forces tried to break through toward the village of Pryvilne. They attempted to seize our positions, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces held their ground and even attempted a counterattack to reclaim one of the positions that had been completely destroyed by Russian forces,” the spokesperson said.
He added that in the Hulyaipole direction, Russian forces actively attempted to advance toward the settlements of Shevchenkove and Vilne Pole.
“Fierce fighting also continued in the Orikhiv direction. Although fewer assault operations were carried out there, Russian forces are regrouping and rotating units, deploying specialized assault groups to frontline positions. This suggests they are preparing to resume active operations any day now and attempt to break through our defensive line near Mali Shcherbaky, Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Lobkove. Russian forces continue trying to break through and establish a foothold there,” Voloshyn reported, adding that such a foothold would allow Russian forces to carry out artillery strikes on the suburbs of Zaporizhzhia and maintain fire control over the logistical routes leading to Orikhiv, Hulyaipole, and other areas east of Zaporizhzhia.
The spokesperson emphasized that Russian forces have so far failed to breach the defenses and are suffering heavy losses. According to him, four assault attempts were made yesterday in the directions of Stepove and Lobkove, with Russian forces trying to break through to Kamianske and capture the right bank of the Yanchekrak River.
“This foothold and the direction toward Kamianske, located on the shore of the former Kakhovka Reservoir, are currently a priority for Russian forces,” the spokesperson said.
Additionally, according to him, Russian forces are not giving up attempts to gain control over the entire island area at the mouth of the Dnipro River.
“Taking advantage of the worsening weather conditions, Russian forces have become more active in this direction. They carry out three to four assault actions there daily; yesterday, two such assaults were recorded,” the spokesperson said.
According to his information, Russian forces lost 192 personnel in the south over the past day.
“Normally, they lose 100 to 110, up to a hundred. But yesterday, it was 192 personnel, as well as three tanks, 36 motorcycles, and about 35 units of motor vehicles and armored equipment. So, Russian forces suffered quite significant losses yesterday,” Voloshyn stated.
When asked which southern region Russian forces are concentrating their efforts on for an offensive, he responded that the focus is primarily on the Orikhiv and Hulyaipole directions.
“They (Russian forces) are currently concentrating their efforts on two directions: Orikhiv – the front section between Shcherbaky, Mali Shcherbaky, and the settlements of Lobkove and Stepove – where they have gathered a certain number of troops and resources to conduct assaults with small infantry groups; and the Hulyaipole direction – the front section including Shevchenkove and Pryvilne. There, Russian forces are trying to break through to threaten Hulyaipole from the east and maintain fire control over the communication routes from Pokrovske in the Dnipropetrovsk region toward the administrative border with the Zaporizhzhia region. These two directions remain among the most threatening,” Voloshyn reported.
He also noted that the Russian army is not experiencing a shortage of weapons or manpower.
“At the moment, no, Russian forces do not appear to be facing any particular shortages. They have personnel and reinforcements, they conduct rotations, replenish losses, and continuously run logistical operations to supply ammunition and certain weapons. Although we try to destroy and control those routes and carry out strikes, Russian forces are also learning. They no longer concentrate everything in one place — they disperse their weapons, equipment, and assault groups. They do everything to avoid being destroyed,” Voloshyn noted.
