Fighting escalates in southern Ukraine: Zelenskyy holds operational meeting

The main focus was on the operational situation in the South, particularly in the Rivnopillia area, where brigade and regiment tasks were discussed, as well as military and personnel measures to stabilize the situation.

Special attention was given to strengthening engineering structures in the Stepnohirsk direction, evacuating civilians from designated areas, and air defense of roads, logistics routes, and critical infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia. A report on the situation in the Pokrovske area was also heard.

After the meeting, Zelenskyy met with the soldiers of the 17th Army Corps, thanked them for their service and protection of Ukraine, and presented state awards.

“Eastern Ukraine is a major challenge. Here, in the Orikhiv direction, it has always been hot. I thank all soldiers, officers, and sergeants for defending our cities, the Zaporizhzhia region, and especially Zaporizhzhia itself, which is of great importance. The enemy wants it, but we must protect it,” the president emphasized.

Zelenskyy also discussed with brigade commanders measures to stabilize the situation on the front, increase the efficiency of recruitment, and boost the motivation of Ukrainian soldiers.

Situation in the Zaporizhzhia Region

Intense fighting continues in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw from several positions in the Rivnopillia area, as well as near the settlements of Novouspenivske, Nove, Myslyvske, Uspenivka, and Novomykolaivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Earlier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that during the Russian offensive, the Russian forces managed to capture three settlements, while intense fighting continues in two more.