Russia intensifies assaults in southern sector, escalation likely near Mala Tokmachka – Voloshyn

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

“The enemy has become more active near Novoandriivka and Novodanylivka. They carry out daily assault operations on our positions, but have not achieved success,” Voloshyn said.

According to intelligence, Russian troops have redeployed assault group personnel to frontline positions near Mala Tokmachka, a settlement located close to Orikhiv.

“We expect renewed assault attempts and efforts by the enemy to capture this populated area (Mala Tokmachka – ed.),” he added.

Voloshyn also noted that Russian forces continue to carry out airstrikes in the Huliaipole sector, targeting the settlements of Zaliznychne and Bilohiria.

“These strikes are aimed at destroying our positions to pave the way for future assaults and territorial gains,” he explained.

Over the past week, up to 50 assault operations were recorded in the Southern Defense Forces’ area of responsibility, most of them concentrated in the Orikhiv sector. In recent days, Russian forces have resumed assault activity in the Huliaipole sector, attempting to storm Ukrainian positions near the village of Poltavka from the east.

“[The enemy] also continues assault operations near the settlements of Kamianske, Plavni, and Prymorske. They are launching heavy strikes on our positions, with nearly all shelters destroyed,” Voloshyn reported.

He added that Russian forces are attempting infiltration tactics in this area, using assault and sabotage groups to penetrate Ukrainian defenses toward the settlement of Stepnohirsk.

“In response, Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting search-and-strike operations to eliminate such groups and prevent further attempts. Nevertheless, this sector remains one of the hottest in our operational zone,” Voloshyn concluded.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, 136 combat engagements took place between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops over the past day, with the heaviest pressure observed in the Pokrovsk sector.