File image.
On January 2, the Russian military expanded its control around the city of Huliaipole, and resumed advance near the city of Orikhiv, without facing much resistance from Kiev forces which appear to be struggling in all directions within Zaporozhye.
The Vostok [East] Group of Forces advanced to the west of Huliaipole, securing 4,5 kilometers of territory along the road leading to Zalinskoe. Russian troops also advanced in the southern outskirts of the city, clearing the entire area down to Dorozhnyanka.
In a few days, the troops could storm Zalinskoe. It is highly unlikely that Kiev forces had already prepared any meaningful defenses there.
The advance from Huliaipole is clearly meant to pressure Ukrainian troops in the direction of Orikhiv, which is becoming more active.
The Vostok Group of Forces resumed advance to the southeast of the city, mainly between Mala Tokmachka and Luhivske. According to preliminary reports, Russian troops imposed full control over Bilohirya. This is yet to be confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian troops in Orikhiv could also soon face additional pressure from the west, mainly from the direction of Stepnohirsk.
The Vostok Group of Forces expanded its control to the northwest and northeast of the large settlement. Russian troops are also engaged in a fierce battle with Kiev forces in Prymorske. A large part of the settlement is already under their control.
A CNN report published on January 1 acknowledged that Kiev forces are facing growing pressure from the Vostok Group of Forces in Zaporozhye.
One Ukrainian officer with the country’s security service, more known by its acronym SBU, told the news network that the situation in the region was “intense,” adding that the Vostok Group of Forces is using small groups of infantry “who are trying to break through by any means, by any route, to the positions that are least protected.”
Notably, the report highlights several difficulties facing Ukraine in Zaporozhye. It admits, citing several commentators, that Kiev forces are “vastly outnumbered along some parts of the 1,000-kilometer front line and are struggling to mobilize additional forces to compensate for losses.”
It also acknowledges that “the lack of a coherent command among Ukrainian forces … and the decision to prioritize defending other areas such as Pokrovsk and Kupiansk is also likely to have contributed to the worsening situation in the south.”
Overall, Ukraine can no longer afford to defend the entire front in Zaporozhye. Any attempt to reinforce the region with troops from other regions is not guaranteed to succeed and will very likely lead to collapses elsewhere.
Based on this, it is nearly impossible for Ukraine to win the battle of Orikhiv which could begin by the spring. Still, Kiev is not backing down and wasting more of its limited resources, further weakening its forces.
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ukraine would rather lose its own soldiers than lose face.
il punto sono 2 secoli che europa e inghilterra fanno alla russia perché non la riconoscono come civile ma barbara, questa guerra la russia la deve vincere in modo definitivo contro europa e inghilterra stabilendo in modo chiaro la sua sicurezza in modo preciso, adesso il rullo compressore parte e chiude la partita sul campo. le trattative sono per prendere in giro russia e stati uniti.