Fighting escalates on southern front: Russian assaults jump 60%, drone and bomb attacks rise

On Ukraine’s southern front, Russian forces significantly increased assault activity between April 20 and 26, alongside intensified use of aviation and drones, while their losses also grew.

This was reported in a comment to Ukrinform by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the South.

“From April 20 to 26, the enemy increased the number of assault operations – by at least 60%. Over the past day alone, 238 assaults were recorded, compared to 149 between April 13 and 19,” he said.

According to the spokesperson, the intensity of airstrikes also rose, particularly involving guided aerial bombs, whose use increased by 24% to more than 602 over the week. In addition, the use of loitering munitions and fixed-wing UAVs, such as Molniya, Lancet, and Privet-82, grew by 68%.

“Enemy losses have also increased – by 11%. Over the past week, we eliminated 1,939 Russian troops. Between April 13 and 19, their losses amounted to 1,753,” Voloshyn added.

He noted that over the past day alone, Russian forces lost 276 personnel.

“They are also losing a considerable amount of weapons and military equipment. Over the past week – more than 620 units, including more than two dozen motorcycles daily, up to 10 quad bikes, buggies, and UGVs. Almost every day we also record armored vehicles being destroyed,” he said.

Voloshyn explained that Russian forces are attempting to move armored vehicles, such as infantry fighting vehicles, MT-LB carriers, and tanks, closer to the frontline to support assault infantry, but Ukraine’s Defense Forces are detecting and destroying this equipment.

As reported by Ukrinform, 241 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded on the frontline over the past day, April 26. The enemy was most active in the Pokrovsk sector, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 55 assault attempts.

Photo provided by V. Voloshyn