Beyond Zaporizhzhia: Russia gears up for another southern offensive
Photo: The Russian army is preparing offensive on Kherson (Getty Images)
Aside from advancing in Zaporizhzhia, the Russians may soon launch another operation aimed at attacking Kherson by crossing the Dnipro River, as all the bridges leading to the city are either destroyed or damaged, according to RBC-Ukraine's article, "Russia preparing new offensive on Kherson and Zaporizhzhia: Frontline overview and Putin's plans."
Two sources cited in the report claim that the occupiers are transporting equipment for constructing pontoon crossings to areas on the left bank of the Dnipro River and preparing troops.
The article suggests that the Kremlin, within the framework of potential negotiations on ending the war, aims to demand the entirety of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions — not just the parts it currently controls. To strengthen its negotiating position, Moscow seeks to eliminate any disputes over control of these regions.
Ultimately, this is Russia's maximum objective. Its minimum goal is to stretch Ukrainian forces thin.
“We know about their (Russian - ed.) intentions, but we don't know exactly when they want to start. The Russians want to conduct a mirror operation to what we did in Krynky. They have no chance to recapture Kherson. But they need to grab hold of some streets, some houses for the picture, and above all, to stretch the Ukrainian front line. We are aware of their plans - both for Kherson and Zaporizhzhia region - and we are also preparing,” one source told the outlet.
Expected effensive on Zaporizhzhia
As a reminder, Russia continues its offensive across various sectors of the Eastern Front while simultaneously preparing for action in the South, where relative stability has prevailed for over a year.
According to RBC-Ukraine's sources, the enemy might launch its Zaporizhzhia offensive after December 5. However, this date should not be seen as final, as Moscow has repeatedly postponed its D-Day in the past.
Russia may strike in the Kamyanske-Pyatykhatky area of the Zaporizhzhia region, advancing northward to get closer to the city and enabling artillery shelling of the southern part of the regional capital.
Kherson was liberated from Russian forces on November 11, 2022, during a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the country’s south. This marked one of Ukraine's most significant victories in the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Following its liberation, Ukrainian authorities and infrastructure began to be restored in the city.
