Huliaipole almost occupied, but it is part of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ plan, commander "Perun" says

Filatov says that at this moment Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia region is “almost occupied”.

“But this is part of the overall plan, and in the near future, I think everyone will understand why events are unfolding this way,” he said in an interview with the Radio Svoboda project Donbas Realii.

The 1st Separate Assault Regiment under Filatov’s command is currently operating in the area of Ukrainian counterattacks on the southern section of the front, which have been ongoing since late January this year.

Filatov says that the situation there is “very dynamic”. “It can be compared with the situation on the Dobropillia axis, which has already been more or less stabilized. The tension has not been completely removed, but the plan that the enemy had set for itself was completely destroyed. Here it is roughly the same.

The enemy considers the Zaporizhzhia direction to be the next direction of influence on the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” he said.

“Perun” explains that Russia’s plan is to reach “that part of the terrain from which it will be possible to reach with artillery and deliver powerful fire strikes” on Zaporizhzhia, a major industrial city. “Obviously, pressure on the city itself will have significant consequences for industry, for our state and for the resilience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he added.

Asked whether Russian troops have the forces on this axis, Filatov replied:

“The enemy has more than enough forces at the moment to implement all its plans. But thanks to the fact that we have a very experienced general staff, very experienced senior commanders and generals, we manage to maintain a certain balance and preserve territory and lives to an extent that does not allow the enemy to implement all of its strategic plans.”