Russian forces attempt to encircle Huliaipole – Voloshyn

Spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the South Vladyslav Voloshyn stated this during a TV broadcast, Ukrinform reports.

"The Huliaipole, Orikhiv, and Oleksandrohrad sectors are the three southern directions, and active fighting is currently underway on two of them (the Oleksandrohrad and Huliaipole sectors). The enemy is trying primarily to cut Huliaipole off from logistical routes and encircle it from the east and northeast, to enter this settlement," he said.

According to Voloshyn, Russian occupiers are also actively using aviation, striking daily with glide bombs and dropping several dozen such bombs on Huliaipole. Meanwhile, the situation in the Oleksandrohrad sector is the most tense.

"Regarding the Oleksandrohrad sector, it is fully active. We always record the highest number of combat engagements in the south on this axis, and they occur along the entire stretch of the front that runs through it," he stressed.

He added that in the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces are also showing activity, attempting to approach the settlements of Prymorske and Plavni, and advancing toward Stepnohirsk.

"The enemy is trying to advance along the shoreline of the former Kakhovka reservoir and has already reached Plavni, simultaneously attempting infiltration toward Malokaterynivka. Small infantry groups are used for flanking maneuvers," Voloshyn said.

He noted that despite a decrease in assault intensity over the past two days, shelling activity has not stopped.

"The enemy constantly uses kamikaze drones, artillery, and other means to strike our positions and settlements," Voloshyn concluded.

As Ukrinform reported, 139 combat engagements between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line on December 8.