The situation on Ukraine's southern front is once again escalating. Over the past few days, there have been increasing reports of Russian military activity along a strategically important section of the front, which stretches for about 125 kilometers — from the Kakhovka Reservoir in the west to the Vrem'yivka salient near Velyka Novoselivka in the east. This proves Russia's intentions to consolidate its position and increase pressure on Ukrainian forces in this region.
The Russians are attacking from several directions at once.
Thus, the Russian army in the Donetsk region has made significant advances near Velyka Novoselka, according to a map from the Ukrainian public service Deep State. The Russians have moved in about three kilometers in two areas - near Rivnepol and Novodarivka.
Russian publications claim that Rivnepil has already been captured (which Ukraine has not confirmed), and their army has also entered Makarivka (which also coincides with the DS map).
The main direction of movement is from the south to the west of Velyka Novoselka, which may aim to bypass the city from the west. From the east, Russian troops are already not far from it. Yesterday it was reported that Russian troops are carrying out assault operations with forces of up to 50-60 people at a time, as well as with the support of armored personnel carriers and units on buggies.
The second area where the Russians went on the offensive yesterday is Hulyaipole in Zaporizhia region. This city is located close - one and a half kilometers - from the front line. The Ukrainian military reported yesterday about a mechanized assault towards the city and the advance of Russian troops.
"On the left flank from Hulyaipol, the enemy had considerable advances today, they were able to advance several kilometers. While everyone is absorbing the news that it is 11 km to the Dnipropetrovsk region, in the meantime it is already less than 9 km," wrote a lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the call sign "Alex.".
The Deep State map does not show any advance near Hulyaipol.
In addition, after the capture of Selidov, the Russians are gradually advancing westward from it towards the Dnipropetrovsk region. As if “parallel” to the southern front. If this movement is successful, it will create serious problems for the logistics of Ukrainian troops in the area of Velyka Novoselivka and Hulyaipol.
The Ukrainian command, meanwhile, says there may be further assaults in the Zaporizhia region in the coming days.
According to Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, the attacks could create a new pressure point for Ukrainian troops already retreating in the east. Although it is not yet clear whether this will be one large-scale Russian offensive or separate assaults.
“The assaults could begin in the near future, we’re not even talking about weeks, we expect it to happen any day now,” the spokesman said, adding that Russian troops in the area significantly outnumber Ukrainian troops.
A Ukrainian officer with the call sign "Alex" believes this is the beginning of a major battle.
"The situation in the Zaporizhia direction is becoming increasingly tense, everyone has already formed a strong feeling that the f...dyacha is coming soon," he wrote.
As we have already written, the Russian offensive on the southern front is much more dangerous for Ukraine than their advance in Donbas, as it creates the threat of their reaching Zaporizhia and the Dnieper with the subsequent assault and capture of these cities. Such a development could have catastrophic consequences for the entire front, as it would “cut” the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also allow the Russians to reach the right bank of the Dnieper.
Therefore, if such a threat really arises, the Ukrainian command will probably throw all available reserves into this direction, and if necessary, it will transfer units from the Kursk region.
But for now, let's repeat, it is not very clear whether the Russians intend to launch a full-scale offensive here and whether they have enough forces for it. But if they do, it will be a battle that will largely determine the further course of the war.
