Escalation in the south: Is it too late for the authorities to address the threats facing the Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions?
The Russians are continuing their active offensive in the Donetsk region. They are pressuring on multiple fronts and have nearly reached the administrative borders (about 7 km remaining) with the Dnipropetrovsk region. The situation has also escalated in the Zaporizhzhia direction, where the occupiers could potentially bypass our defensive line. However, the President's Office has just begun discussing this issue, assuring that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are in control of the situation.
Some military experts and correspondents argue that the panic is premature, as this is not the first time that the occupiers have approached the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region so closely. For instance, military correspondent Bohdan Miroshnykov stated that in 2022, there was less than 4 km distance when considering the Velykonovosilkivskyi direction. On the other hand, the occupiers were then right on the shore of the Zelenodolsk reservoir. Nevertheless, the enemy was unable to advance further. Currently, in his opinion, it is not necessary to react so sharply to the numbers.
"For those who like to measure distance, let’s remember that this has happened before. We need to understand the overall situation rather than get excited over the phrase 'The enemy is __ km (insert necessary distance) from the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region,'" Miroshnykov said.
He added that currently, the Russians need the flank of Velyka Novosilka and the settlement itself, not just the fact of reaching the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region. However, ignoring the advances in this direction is also not an option, as it could lead to dire consequences.
Meanwhile, the Telegram channel "Sniper+" emphasized that the situation is deteriorating because no one has established a defensive line in the Velyka Novosilka direction. This is notable considering there had been almost a year of silence here. There are fortifications, of course, but they are not what they should be. The military noted that the defensive line should pass through the forest belts and not just that. However, they are being built in fields at a considerable distance from the line of contact.
"Seeing how the front is collapsing, not mining the forward edge and not building quality fortifications is pure stupidity. If fortifications are being built somewhere, they are done by civilian contractors who dig unprepared trenches along the ordered mileage, where it’s easier, not where it’s needed," the post stated.
It is noted that due to mistakes in building proper defensive lines, the front is collapsing. If we consider the Zaporizhzhia direction, where the enemy has also become more active, the Russians could bypass it just as they did in the area of Ocheretyn.
A military officer with the call sign "Muchny" reminded that the enemy occupied Rozdolne and began to rapidly push our units from the stronghold on the road between Bohatyr and Velyka Novosilka. According to him, if the Russians succeed here, it will immediately open the road to Novyi Komar. On this section of the front, there is a severe shortage of personnel.
"This section of the front lacks infantry; there are simply not enough people to hold a solid stronghold on the approaches to the settlement, while 'mama's tigers' are playing games and drinking at bars. On the front, there is a shortage of manpower, and that's already a bad sign because the borders will start to crumble quickly when the enemy realizes that here or there there is a lack of o/s," he emphasized.
A journalist from Informator recently visited near Velyka Novosilka. The nearby settlements (within a 30-kilometer zone) have almost emptied. There are no people on the streets, as only elderly residents remain who have nowhere to evacuate. They live under constant sounds of explosions. Most shops are closed, and there are no mobile retailers. The only thing that allows them to survive is humanitarian aid and the food shared by our military.
Zelensky on Syrskyi's Report
President Volodymyr Zelensky listened to the report from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, on November 25 regarding the situation at the front. As a result, he noted that efforts are underway to strengthen our positions in the Donetsk direction and beyond. Regarding the Zaporizhzhia direction, the guarantor stated that the situation is under control.
"Donetsk. The Kurakhiv direction is currently the most challenging. We are working to strengthen our positions. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, we see existing threats; our Ukrainian Defense Forces are controlling the situation," the message stated.
According to the president, the discussion also touched on the Kursk operation. He emphasized that our soldiers are holding positions and inflicting significant losses on the Russian army.
Earlier, Informator reported that the Russians continue their offensive on the northern bank of the Kurakhiv reservoir, having captured the village of Berestky and strategically important dams. The situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this area is extremely difficult.
It was also reported that on the northern outskirts of Toretsk, Russian troops are capturing heights, seeking to clean up the Zabalky area. At the same time, fierce battles are ongoing in Chasiv Yar. Experts and military analysts noted that the fall of Selydove could open the way for the occupiers for further offensives on Pokrovsk.