Russia Deploys Assault Groups to Zaporizhzhia Direction, Preparing to Intensify Offensive

The Russian army is positioning trained assault groups along frontline areas in the  Zaporizhzhia region, Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Command, reported to Suspilne on November 12.

Voloshyn explained that in the Orikhiv direction, the Russian army is conducting engineering and aerial reconnaissance, as well as preparing assault groups.

"They’re preparing to become more active in the Orikhiv direction, as their plan includes eliminating the so-called 'Robotyne salient'—areas recently reclaimed by the Ukrainian Defense Forces during their counteroffensive—and advancing toward Orikhiv. From there, they would be able to control the logistical routes from Zaporizhzhia to eastern Ukraine," Voloshyn said.

According to Voloshyn, another focal point for Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region is the Huliaipole direction, where important logistical routes are located.

Additionally, Russian troops have intensified their assaults toward the village of Vremivka, attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses near the settlements of Rivnopillia and Velyka Novosilka.

On October 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces confirmed their withdrawal from Vuhledar, a small mining city in the Donetsk region. Its defense has become a crucial part of Ukraine’s southern front in the Donetsk region, withstanding multiple assaults since 2022.