Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday visited troops near the southeastern front, warning that Russian advances in the region pose a growing threat to the strategic city of Zaporizhzhia.
His trip came amid heightened fighting and mounting concerns over Ukraine’s ability to hold its defensive lines as manpower shortages deepen.
Zelenskyy described the situation near the frontline village of Orikhiv as “one of the most difficult” along Ukraine’s sprawling battlefront.
Awarding medals and meeting commanders in a bunker, he emphasised the need to reinforce positions to prevent Russian forces from pushing toward Zaporizhzhia, a major industrial hub.
“Zaporizhzhia is an important city, the enemy certainly wants it. We absolutely have to defend it,” he said.
While neither side has made major breakthroughs since the early months of Russia’s 2022 invasion, Moscow’s troops, now controlling roughly 19% of Ukraine, have maintained offensive momentum since late 2023.
Russia is closing in on Pokrovsk in the east and applying pressure near Kupiansk, but the recent escalation in the southeast has raised new alarm.
This week, in an unusually blunt assessment, Ukraine’s top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said the situation in parts of Zaporizhzhia had “significantly worsened.” Military analysts say about half of Russia’s recent battlefield gains have come from the area around the settlements of Huliapole and Velyka Novosilka.
“Ukraine’s shortage of manpower has allowed Russian forces to make tactically significant advances,” said Konrad Muzyka, director of the Rochan military consultancy. He warned that further progress west of Velyka Novosilka could threaten Huliapole from the north and potentially isolate Ukrainian units in the south if gaps are not addressed.
Ukrainian officials say Russian troops have been probing for weak spots, exploiting foggy conditions to attempt flanking manoeuvres.
Syrskyi noted that Pokrovsk remains Russia’s primary target but said Ukrainian forces had launched counter-efforts in a nearby sector to draw Russian troops away and ease pressure on the city.
Zelenskyy’s visit came as his government grapples with a corruption scandal in the energy sector, a sensitive issue as Ukrainians endure widespread blackouts linked to Russia’s relentless strikes on power infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has escalated its drone and missile campaign targeting Russia’s oil facilities. The Ukrainian military said it struck an oil terminal in occupied Crimea, an oil depot in occupied Zaporizhzhia, and other military sites overnight.
It confirmed the use of the Flamingo, a new Ukrainian-made, ground-launched cruise missile reportedly capable of reaching targets thousands of kilometres away.
Between August and October, a combination of Ukrainian attacks and planned maintenance forced 20% of Russia’s refinery capacity offline, according to Reuters reporting based on Russian industry sources.
Zelenskyy said he discussed personnel needs, equipment shortages and new defensive measures during his frontline visit, stressing that Ukraine must reinforce its positions quickly to prevent further Russian advances.
As fighting intensifies on multiple fronts, Kyiv and its Western partners face renewed urgency in securing manpower, weapons and political stability to prevent Russia from exploiting Ukraine’s vulnerabilities.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
