"Assaults unabated": Zaporizhzhia front endures relentless Russian attacks

Multiple Russian armies are relentlessly hammering the Oleksandrivka–Huliaipole front. The invaders are determined to seize two settlements along the Dnipropetrovsk–Zaporizhzhia border: Pokrovske and Huliaipole. Ukrainian defenders are fighting back fiercely, but the enemy has overwhelming numbers. Russian guided bombs are detonating here by the hundreds each day.

The 423rd Unmanned Systems Battalion “Scythian Griffins” is among the units fending off the occupiers’ onslaught. Fighters acknowledge the challenge is immense but stress that this is by no means a reason to give ground.

The report comes from TSN correspondent Oleksandr Motorniy.

Relentless pressure

The battle line now follows the Haychul River, stretching through Pokrovske (Dnipropetrovsk region) and Huliaipole (Zaporizhzhia region).

423rd Unmanned Systems Battalion commander Vitaliy Hersak admits that the defensive sector is under assault from four Russian combined-arms armies at once.

“The enemy is hitting hard on all fronts, with Huliaipole in particular as their target.

They aim to seize Huliaipole and push toward Pokrovske in Dnipropetrovsk region.

They are pressing from both sides with full force and massive UAV support,” Vitaliy Hersak says.

He adds that dense fog, lingering for two weeks, has made operations much more difficult.

“The weather has helped them a lot over the past two weeks! For two full weeks, there was extremely dense fog — day and night, morning and evening. As you can imagine, it affects our sight and the operational use of our UAVs,” he said.

“Vampires” at work in assaults

Crews such as the “Garda” unit deploy heavy bomber drones known as “Vampires” to blunt relentless enemy attacks.

A strike UAV pilot, call sign “Barni,” says the primary mission is hitting concentrations of enemy troops.

On this front, Russian forces advance in small groups, relying on motorcycles and infantry. Heavy armor has yet to reach Ukrainian defensive lines.

“They don’t stop”

Ukrainian fighters admit Russian forces remain numerous.

“There are so many of them, so much manpower. That’s why they move in small groups, trying to secure positions, regroup, build up again and push forward bit by bit,” says drone pilot “Barni.”

But numbers alone are no reason not to strike, say the “Scythian Griffons.” Last month, troops of the 423rd drone battalion eliminated more than 700 Russian soldiers.