The situation on the southern front of Ukraine is escalating again. Over the past few days, there have been more and more reports of the Russian military stepping up along a strategically important section of the front that stretches for about 125 kilometers — from the Kakhovsky Reservoir in the west to the Vremivsky Salient near Velika Novoselevka in the east. This proves Russia's intentions to strengthen 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 Donetsk region has advanced significantly near Velika Novosilka, according to the map of the Ukrainian public Deep State. The Russians dug in about three kilometers in two areas - near Rivnopol and Novodarivka.
Russian publics 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 Velika Novosilka, which may be aimed at bypassing the city from the west. From the east, Russian troops are already close to 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 BBM and units on buggies.
The second area where the Russians went on the offensive yesterday is Gulyaipole, Zaporizhzhia region. This city is located close - one and a half kilometers - from the front line. Yesterday, the Ukrainian military reported a mechanized assault towards the city and the advance of Russian troops.
"On the left flank from Gulyaipol, 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 the lieutenant of the Armed Forces with the call sign “Alex”.
On the Deep State map, the advance near Gulyaipol is not recorded.
In addition, after the capture of Selydov, the Russians are gradually moving west from him 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 Velika Novoselivka and Gulyaipol.
The Ukrainian command, meanwhile, says that there may be further assaults in the Zaporizhzhia region in the coming days.
According to Voloshin, the spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, the attacks could create a new point of pressure for the Ukrainian military, which is already retreating in the east. Although it is still unclear whether this will be one large-scale offensive by the Russians or separate assaults.
"The attacks could start in the near future, we're not even talking about weeks, we expect it to happen any day now," the spokesman said. He added that Russian troops in this area significantly outnumber Ukrainian troops.
A Ukrainian officer with the call sign "Alex" believes that this is the beginning of a big battle.
"The situation in the Zaporizhzhia region is becoming more and more tense, everyone has already developed a strong feeling that the end is coming soon," he wrote.
As we have already written, the offensive of the Russians on the southern front is much more dangerous for Ukraine than their advance in the Donbass, because it poses a threat of their exit to Zaporizhzhia and the Dnipro with the subsequent assault and capture of these cities. Such a development can have catastrophic consequences for the entire front, as it will "cut" the logistics of the Armed Forces, as well as 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 in this direction, and if necessary, 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 start, it will be a battle that, in many ways, will determine the further course of the war.
