Russia captures 3 settlements in Zaporizhzhia region, with heavy fighting ongoing - Army chief
Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (facebook.com/CinCAofUkraine)
Russian forces managed to capture three settlements during their offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region. Heavy fighting is ongoing for two more villages, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The general noted that Ukrainian defenders continue to conduct active defense. In most directions, they repel enemy attacks and carry out reconnaissance-strike operations in certain areas, specifically in the Kupiansk and Siversk districts.
Situation in the Zaporizhzhia region
Syrskyi noted that the Russian forces have increased their activity in the Zaporizhzhia region, attempting to penetrate deep into Ukrainian positions under the cover of dense fog.
"The situation has significantly worsened in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole directions, where the enemy, using their numerical superiority in forces and equipment, advanced during intense fighting and captured three settlements," the Commander-in-Chief clarified.
According to him, exhausting battles are currently ongoing for the villages of Rivnopillia and Yablukove. The defense there is being held by the Pivden grouping of troops. As a result of the combined fire, the Russian forces have suffered significant losses.
Photo: Rivnopillia on the map (screenshot)
"Every meter of our land costs Russia hundreds of soldiers’ lives. In just the past three days, in the operational area of the Pivden grouping of troops, the occupiers have lost about 800 personnel and over a hundred units of various military equipment," the general stated.
Situation in the Donetsk region
Syrskyi said that the Pokrovsk direction remains the most active.
Today, about 40% of all battles took place in the Pokrovsk area. The enemy continues to suffer heavy losses there.
Long-range strikes
Syrskyi also added that Ukraine is increasing the effectiveness of its domestically produced long-range weapons, including Neptune and Flamingo missiles, as well as rocket drones.
"This is causing the enemy significant trouble," he clarified.
What’s happening in the Zaporizhzhia region
Earlier, Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn told RBC-Ukraine that Ukrainian defenders had to withdraw from positions near the settlements of Novouspenivske, Nove, Myslyvske, Uspenivka, and Novomykolaivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.
He noted that intense fighting has been ongoing for several days in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole directions.
