Russians increase assault activity in Huliaipole direction — Voloshyn

After the so-called "Easter truce," Russian forces gradually ramped up the intensity of combat operations, particularly in the Huliaipole sector, where about 80 assaults were recorded over the week along with an increase in airstrikes.

The spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces Vladyslav Voloshyn stated this in a comment to Ukrinform.

"After the so-called 'Easter truce,' although it was not really one, the enemy began to increase its firepower, assault, and overall combat activity on a daily basis over the past week," he said.

According to the spokesperson, the enemy is especially active near the settlements of Zaliznychne, Huliaipilske, and Hirske, where it is attempting to continue assault and offensive operations toward Zaporizhzhia.

Combat activity is also ongoing in the areas of Pryluky, Tsvitkove, Dobropillia, Varvarivka, Olenokostiantynivka, and Verkhnia Tersa, making the Huliaipole direction one of the hottest sectors on the front.

"In the Huliaipole direction over the past week, from April 13 to 19, around eighty enemy assault actions were recorded," Voloshyn added.

He also reported that the enemy has increased the number of airstrikes: just in the past day, 21 strikes were recorded using 130 guided aerial bombs.

"Over the past week, compared to the pre-Easter period, the enemy used 20% more guided bombs against our positions. As for enemy losses, during the first post-Easter week, the enemy lost nearly 1,800 personnel and 800 units of weapons and military equipment," the spokesperson said.

According to Voloshyn, the level of enemy fire activity has already returned to pre-Easter levels, and in some areas has even exceeded them.

As Ukrinform reported, on the front line over the past day, April 19, 33 Russian attacks were recorded in the Huliaipole direction in the areas of Varvarivka, Dobropillia, Zelene, Sviatopetrivka, Tsvitkove, Zaliznychne, Pryluky, Olenokostiantynivka, and in the directions of Verkhnia Tersa, Huliaipilske, and Hirske.

Photo: 114th Territorial Defense Brigade, illustrative