According to analysts, much of the Russian offensive is occurring "southwest, at the border of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Donetsk, and has accelerated in recent weeks."
Taking advantage of Ukraine concentrating its main forces on the defense of Pokrovsk, Russia is capturing territory in southeastern Ukraine, putting the strategically important cities of Orikhiv and Huliaipole at risk of encirclement by Russian troops. As The Telegraph reports, holding back the Russian advance in this section of the front is crucial for the defense of Zaporizhzhia.
The publication notes that Ukrainian troops are increasingly being redeployed further north to strengthen Pokrovsk, leaving the defense on the southeastern front more vulnerable to continuous Russian attacks.
"According to pro-Ukrainian maps, over six weeks, Russian troops have advanced in this region by about 19 miles (30 km)," the article states.
Russian Offensive "Has Accelerated in Recent Weeks"
As The Telegraph writes, Russia is quietly conquering territories at the junction of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, where the defense has been relatively less prioritized.
According to the American Institute for the Study of War, Russian troops may attempt to encircle Huliaipole from the northeast, seeking to weaken Ukraine's defense in order to advance quickly using penetration tactics.
Moscow is targeting local supply lines and Ukrainian drone operators and is trying to exploit Ukraine's weakened fortifications for mass attacks by small groups.
Military analyst Michael Kofman stated that while all attention is focused on Pokrovsk, much of the Russian offensive is occurring "southwest, at the border of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Donetsk, and has accelerated in recent weeks":
"The Ukrainian defense around Huliaipole appears increasingly fragmented. This area seems to have a lower priority for both Russia and Ukraine... The counteroffensive in Pokrovsk means that there are few forces left to stabilize the situation elsewhere, such as [Zaporizhzhia]."
However, he noted that Russian troops continue to "act ineffectively in tactical terms," as units "claim positions and advances that never occurred."
At the same time, some analysts suggest that Russia is advancing in an attempt to force Ukraine to redeploy resources to the Zaporizhzhia region, distracting them from Pokrovsk.
Frontline Situation - Latest News
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that the situation in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole directions has significantly worsened. According to him, the enemy, taking advantage of numerical superiority in forces and means, has advanced in fierce battles and captured three settlements: Novyi, Novouspensivka, and Rovnopillia.
According to analysts, the occupiers are currently accumulating forces to move towards Huliaipole. However, experts note that Russia does not yet have the resources to capture the settlement.
