Defense Forces on situation in Orikhiv direction: all settlements remain under control of Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian invaders continue their attempts to attack the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Orikhiv direction. However, all settlements remain under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian troops regained positions in one of the settlements in the area.
This was reported by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, in a comment to Suspilne, as cited by Censor.NET.
According to Voloshyn, settlements near the contact line have been virtually destroyed due to constant Russian shelling.
"Piatykhatky, Mali Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Stepove, Shcherbaky – there are practically no settlements left there. The occupiers have destroyed them with GABs (guided aerial bombs) and artillery. They’ve demolished all the buildings, and there are no longer any of our positions there, because everything has been wiped out – no fortifications, no shelters. There is simply nothing left to hold on to," Voloshyn said.
Despite this, he added, all these settlements remain under the fire control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
"All settlements are under the control of the Defense Forces – meaning, they are under fire control. Our soldiers have pulled back 50 to 100 meters deeper into the area. It’s 100% confirmed that there are no Russian troops in Piatykhatky, and they are not holding it. I repeat: we have not surrendered these positions, we have not retreated. In fact, just over the past day, we regained positions in one of the settlements," the spokesman said.
Voloshyn noted that Russian forces are employing so-called "creeping offensive" tactics in this direction.
"The idea behind this tactic is that the occupier advances gradually in small groups, capturing trench after trench, fortification after fortification. An assault group moves in and tries to secure the position, then a reinforcement group follows. The occupiers try to hold these lines and begin constructing their own fortifications and shelters. After that, another reinforcement group arrives, and their assault units attempt to push forward another 50–100 meters," he explained.
He added that Russians have not abandoned their attempts to reach the border of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Voloshyn noted that the aggressor country has repeatedly stated its intention to annex the Zaporizhzhia region.
"And their command is now trying to realize it, to break through our defense lines. The line of contact is in favor of the enemy, it is not actually changing. We are only recapturing some settlements and positions there," adds the spokesman.
