Russia preparing offensive on major Ukrainian regional center, military warns

The situation in the south is escalating as Russian occupiers redeploy reserves to the Zaporizhzhia direction. Intelligence reports that marine and airborne units, previously involved in the assault on Pokrovsk, are now observed near Orikhiv. At the same time, the enemy is terrorizing Ukrainian defenders with hundreds of new «Molniya» strike drones.

TSN correspondent Oleksandr Motorniy visited the positions of interceptor pilots from the 118th Brigade.

Russia redeploys reserves towards Zaporizhzhia

For a long time, the Pokrovsk sector was a priority for the Kremlin. However, intelligence now reports enemy manoeuvres towards the Orikhiv sector. The appearance of elite airborne and marine units here indicates that the occupiers may be preparing to intensify assault operations in the south.

Orikhiv and nearby settlements remain under constant fire. The occupiers are extensively using guided aerial bombs and drones.

«The enemy is increasingly building up manpower. We are seeing a sharp rise in the use of attack UAVs of various types, including FPV and „Molniya“ drones, which are causing us serious problems. The enemy is actively concentrating forces along the line of contact, ” said serviceman Vyacheslav Borodan.

He added that the occupiers are attempting to advance in small groups, but Ukrainian forces are destroying them.

Drone threat

Borodan says «Molniya» drones pose a serious threat on the Zaporizhzhia front because they are capable of carrying anti-tank mines.

«They can reach as far as Zaporizhzhia. The enemy may launch up to 100 such drones per day. We destroy most of them, but resources are limited, ” the serviceman says.