Russian forces pushing towards border of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions

"The situation in the Novopavlivka direction has significantly escalated, with the enemy carrying out 23 combat engagements over the past 24 hours. Intense battles continue there, and the enemy is pushing towards the border of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions," said Voloshyn.

He also noted that the situation remains quite tense in the Orikhiv direction, around the areas of Mali Shcherbaky, Lobkove, and Stepove.

"The enemy is trying to break through the frontline there, reach a foothold, and seize it. This area is not far from Zaporizhzhia, and from there, they could exert fire control over our logistics routes from Zaporizhzhia to the eastern part of the Zaporizhzhia region, as well as shelling the city of Zaporizhzhia and its suburbs. Additionally, the situation has significantly worsened in recent days in the Prydniprovskyi or Kherson direction," added the spokesperson.

According to him, in the Kherson direction, there have been increased attempts by the enemy to capture islands on the Dnipro River. While the Defense Forces mostly sink enemy vessels, some Russian troops manage to land on the islands.

"On these islands, the enemy leaves one or two soldiers. They play at being 'Robinsons,' so to speak. It's impossible to evacuate them from there, and their commanders drop off ammunition, water, and food by drones. They stay there for several days, and sometimes, as in some cases, they even surrender to our forces. Russian propaganda uses these facts to claim an attempt to take control of the island zone. However, such attempts have increased in recent days," said Voloshyn.

He also expressed concern about the enemy's double strikes on Kherson using guided aerial bombs, followed by artillery and drone attacks.

"With these bombs (KABs - ed.), the enemy struck residential areas. There have been casualties and victims among the civilian population, and destruction among civilian buildings. Furthermore, the enemy uses a vile tactic: they first strike with bombs, and when rescuers and emergency services arrive, they carry out artillery shelling. The enemy also conducts artillery shelling and strikes with kamikaze drones at those services conducting evacuation and rescue operations. Two hours ago, a similar attack was carried out with three KABs," Voloshyn said.

Russia's offensive

Recently, it became known that Ukrainian military forces are preparing for the possibility that Russia may intensify its offensive actions along most of the front lines at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.

According to sources from RBC-Ukraine, the Ukrainian command anticipates that Russia may initiate offensive actions in the border parts of Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Russia has already begun its offensive in these directions.

Additionally, according to Syrskyi, in recent weeks, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated about 16 square kilometers of territory in the Donetsk region.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Russian spring offensive has already begun. With the arrival of warmer weather, the ground hardens, and the leaves on the trees reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones.

For more details on whether Russia plans a large-scale offensive, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.