Military expert assesses potential threat of Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia region

"Our military from that direction are saying directly, we have been expecting for several months now that something should start. About a month ago, there was already an attempt at an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Roughly speaking, it was between Huliaipole and Velyka Novosilka, right along the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, where the Russians advanced northward," the expert explained.

According to Stupak, the enemy aims to cut off the entire Donetsk region. Currently, the Defense Forces observe Russian preparations, signaling that "it will start at some point," though exactly when remains unknown.

The expert noted that Kyiv should consider the worst-case scenarios and be prepared for them.

"Counting on Zaporizhzhia not being taken—well, they don’t need to take it; they’ll just destroy it... Zaporizhzhia region is indeed under threat. Look at the map: the distance to Pokrovsk via Pavlohrad to the city of Dnipro is 160 km. Now, see what remains below to the south. All that territory, part of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, could end up simply in a pocket..." the expert added.

Situation in Zaporizhzhia region

In October, several Western media outlets reported that Russian forces might be planning a large-scale offensive to establish control over Zaporizhzhia. The Russian army has intensified air strikes on the city, using guided aerial bombs.

Recently, information emerged online regarding Russian forces taking control of the village of Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) confirmed the enemy’s advance in that direction.

According to the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the Russian forces have concentrated around 200,000 troops in southern Ukraine, including occupying forces in Crimea.