Russians sabotage equipment to avoid offensive on Huliaipole – ATESH
Illustrative photo: Russians sabotage the attack on Huliaipole (Getty Images)
Russians are attempting to avoid participation in assault operations towards the city of Huliaipole in the Polohy district of the Zaporizhzhia region, fearing significant losses. Instances of sabotage of the offensive, including the damaging of military equipment, have been reported, according to the ATESH partisan movement.
According to underground movement representatives, their agents from the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces (35th Russian Army) reported such incidents.
It is noted that soldiers from this brigade "deliberately damaged military equipment to avoid the assault on Huliaipole." In addition, the Russians are pouring water instead of fuel and "deliberately disabling motorcycles in various ways."
"The brigade leadership has already started an investigation, but the number of dissatisfied personnel is only growing. Russian soldiers are well aware that they are marching to slaughter and are doing everything to save their lives," the ATESH publication states.
Ukrainian partisans urged Russian invaders to break their equipment and refuse to follow orders, adding that they are "ready to assist, provide instructions, and generously reward sabotage."
Situation in Zaporizhzhia region and Huliaipole area
The city of Huliaipole, located close to the front line, frequently comes under enemy shelling using various types of weapons.
Huliaipole and the front line on the DeepState project map, about 6 km from the city to the front line (photo: screenshot deepstatemap.live).
In the evening report of March 16, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russians carried out attacks in the areas of Pryvillya, Vilyke Pole, and in the direction of Novopillia on the Huliaipole axis. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled all 6 attacks of the occupiers.
Military leadership also shared that Russians fired unguided aviation rockets at Novopillia, Novodaryvka, and Huliaipole, and dropped guided bombs on Shevchenko.
In January, the head of the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov, mentioned in an interview that Vladimir Putin had planned an offensive on Zaporizhzhia but had to abandon those plans.
Fedorov also noted that a multi-layered defense system is being built in the region, covering not only the defense lines directly on the front line but also a circular defense around Orikhiv, Huliaipole, Komyshuvakha, Velyka Novosilka, and Zaporizhzhia itself, with three defensive lines.
In the fall of 2024, information began to spread about Russia's preparations for a large-scale offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region. At that time, there were reports of a potential threat to the city of Zaporizhzhia.
Meanwhile, in November last year, the Ukrainian Defense Forces reported that Russians had intensified activities in the Zaporizhzhia region. However, according to the military, they lack the strength for a major offensive.
Additionally, Russians' operation in the Zaporizhzhia region was expected to begin around December 5.
