Russian airstrikes and drone activity increase in southern Ukraine – Voloshyn
The situation on the southern axis remains difficult, with no significant changes – Russian forces are increasing their use of drones and aviation and carrying out active clashes, especially in the Huliaipole sector.
This was reported to Ukrinform by Spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the South Vladyslav Voloshyn.
“The situation is rather challenging, but without drastic changes,” he said.
According to Voloshyn, the enemy has not reduced its combat activity.
“The enemy carried out about 15 clashes, most of them in the Huliaipole sector, including near Huliaipole, Dobropillia, Luhivske, Rybne, and Zaliznychne,” the Spokesperson said.
Voloshyn highlighted a sharp increase in the use of drones.
“Over the past 24 hours, 1,600 drone strikes were recorded, and more than 500 reconnaissance enemy UAVs were observed,” he said.
At the same time, he assured that Ukrainian forces are inflicting losses on the enemy.
“Yesterday alone, we destroyed a significant number of enemy drone operators – about 50,” Voloshyn emphasized.
He added that the enemy is actively using artillery and conducting assault operations.
“The weather in the south has stabilized, and the enemy is carrying out both assaults and shelling roughly at the levels we usually record at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Ukrainian forces are also inflicting significant losses on Russian armored vehicles and rocket artillery to disrupt preparations for mechanized assaults in the south.
“The enemy has recently suffered considerable losses in weapons and combat equipment,” he said.
According to Voloshyn, Ukrainian troops destroy tanks daily, preventing the enemy from forming mechanized columns for assaults.
“Today, in the settlement of Solodke, our fighters destroyed an enemy tank, and we are effectively destroying one to two tanks daily there. We strike them to prevent the enemy from forming mechanized columns with armored vehicles for assaults on our positions,” he explained.
In addition to armored vehicles, Ukrainian forces are targeting the enemy’s multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS).
“Today, we also destroyed a Korean Type-75 MLRS in the settlement of Nesterianka and a BM-21 Grad MLRS in Malynivka,” the Spokesperson noted.
Voloshyn emphasized that strikes are conducted throughout the depth of the enemy’s formations.
“We strike the enemy wherever our intelligence identifies targets in order to reduce their capability and strength for assault operations. We hit them in the rear,” he explained.
As Ukrinform reported, on February 10, 126 clashes between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded along the frontline.
Photo: archive of V. Voloshyn