Russian forces increase assault operations, airstrikes on southern axes – military spox
The number of combat engagements on southern fronts has risen by 17–20% in December, and Russian forces have intensified assault actions and airstrikes, striking Huliaipole daily.
According to Ukrinform's correspondent, spokesperson for the Operational Task Force South, Vladyslav Voloshyn, reported this during a TV broadcast.
"In December, we saw 17–20% more combat engagements on our axes. There were days when on the Oleksandrohrad axis the enemy carried out more than six dozen assault actions," Voloshyn noted.
According to him, worsening of weather conditions has contributed to the increased activity of Russian assaults.
"The beginning of December and the end of November brought fog, drizzle, and poor visibility. The enemy, taking advantage of such conditions, carried out more assault actions and attempts to infiltrate deep into our defenses," he said.
He also reported that while the number of kamikaze drone attacks has slightly decreased, the intensity of airstrikes has increased.
"The enemy has increased the number of airstrikes by a certain percentage, using glide bombs," Voloshyn emphasized.
He stressed that Huliaipole suffers the most, as Russian forces attack it nearly every day.
"Huliaipole is essentially being wiped off the map: every day at least one and a half to two dozen, or even more, bombs strike there," Voloshyn specified.
He added that the enemy's assault actions are not decreasing along the entire front line.
"The enemy continues its assault actions quite actively on all axes, from Kamianske to the Oleksandrohrad axis," he summarized.
As Ukrinform reported, 174 combat engagements took place between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian invaders over the past day. The enemy pressed hardest on the Pokrovsk axis, and intense fighting continues on the Lyman, Kostiantynivka, Oleksandrohrad, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv axes.
Ukrinform photos can be purchased here