Situation on southern front escalating over past two weeks – military spokesperson

Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said this in comments to Ukrinform.

"The situation in the operational zone of the Tavria Operational Group of Forces has been escalating over the past two weeks. This is evidenced by an increase in enemy assault operations that we have recorded, as well as artillery shelling, MLRS strikes, and air and missile attacks. Their number has grown somewhat over the past two weeks," Voloshyn said.

According to him, today alone, 35 assault operations have been recorded in the Tavria operational zone.

"For example, in the Huliaipole sector, we used to record up to ten enemy assaults per day, but today we have documented 22, particularly in the areas of Zelene Pole and Novopil. This is not an offensive or part of a strategic operation by the enemy, but rather tactical attempts to improve their position relative to the front line," the spokesperson said, adding that the enemy has intensified actions with small assault groups.

Voloshyn noted that there has also been an increase in assaults on the Orikhiv axis, where previously, five to seven attacks were recorded daily. However, today, there have already been 11 offensive actions targeting Novodanylivka, Stepove, Piatykhatky, Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and Lobkove.

Summarizing the situation, the spokesperson stated that the enemy's main activity is currently focused on the Orikhiv and Huliaipole sectors in the Zaporizhzhia region.

When asked about the situation near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Voloshyn noted that it remains stable, with no recorded increase in enemy activity.

At the same time, in the Kherson region, the enemy has increased the number of attacks on Ukrainian defenders' positions.

"Regarding the Dnipro River sector or so-called Kherson direction, today there were two attempts to land on the islands. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. Overall, in the first 12 days of spring, the enemy has carried out more than ten such actions. While there are fewer assaults in this area, the number of artillery strikes on our positions and nearby settlements along the Dnipro River is increasing," Voloshyn said.

According to him, today, 240 enemy attacks with MLRS and artillery systems were recorded in the operational zone, which is around the average level.

"There has been a slight increase in the number of kamikaze drones in our southern operational zone. Today, there were over 400 FPV drone strikes and more than 300 cases of various munitions being dropped. This is roughly in line with the average figures, but these averages have risen compared to February 2025," Voloshyn said.

Additionally, the enemy has increased the number of airstrikes and guided aerial bombs. Today, 23 guided bombs and 54 unguided air missiles were used. The strikes targeted Novopil, Huliaipole, and Novodanylivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, as well as settlements in the Kherson region.

However, the spokesperson said that Ukrainian forces continue to actively destroy enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment.

"Today alone, we have eliminated 144 occupiers, and in total, nearly 1,150 enemy personnel over the first 12 days of spring," Voloshyn said, adding that nearly 2,000 Russian troops were eliminated last month. Additionally, today, six artillery systems were destroyed, including several self-propelled artillery units.