Russian forces gear up for major assault in Dnipropetrovsk
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are warning about a planned "general offensive" by the Russians in the Dnipropetrovsk region, reports the 46th Independent Airmobile Brigade.
According to a statement from the 46th Independent Airmobile Brigade, the Russians are preparing for a major assault in the Novopavlivka direction, aiming to reach the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region, which would grant them "operational space." Their goal is to prevent Ukrainian forces from establishing a deeper defensive line in the region and to break through the final line of Ukrainian fortifications at its border.
The brigade's command reports that the Russians are "levelling" the front line near Avdiivka, indicating an intensification of combat operations south of the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia road.
Defence preparations
The Ukrainian armed forces have already started preparing to repel a potential assault. Fortifications and defences are being strengthened.
Russian offensive actions in the south are already underway, although they are currently sporadic. The Ukrainian command assesses that this direction is presently stalled, which could indicate a wait for developments in the north.
Zelensky talks about territory exchange
The potential loss of the Dnipropetrovsk region could be very costly for Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed exchanging Russian territories under Ukrainian control for Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
Any territorial changes unfavourable to Ukraine could negatively impact such an exchange, which is intended to lead to the end of the war.
