Russia is massing forces near Orikhiv and stepping up aerial reconnaissance in the Zaporizhzhia region

Russian troops have stepped up their activities in the Orikhiv sector and are increasing their presence near the front line, according to the Defense Forces. According to the Ukrainian military, the occupiers are concentrating their forces near the Orikhiv area and are actively using reconnaissance drones to monitor settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The Defense Forces note that the enemy is also attempting to improve its tactical position in this sector and create conditions for further operations toward Zaporizhzhia.

This was reported by Vladislav Voloshin, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces.

According to military command, the invaders are attempting to consolidate their positions on the front lines for further assaults.

“Currently, the enemy in the Orikhiv direction is actively attempting to concentrate personnel at forward positions near the settlements of Shcherbaky and Novoandriivka,” Voloshin said.

Orikhiv is a frontline town in the Polohivsky District of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, located on the Konka River, 56 km from Zaporizhzhia. The town is suffering constant destruction due to Russian shelling, with approximately 500–600 residents remaining there.

At the same time, Russian unmanned aerial vehicle units have sharply increased the intensity of reconnaissance south of the regional center. Drone activity has been recorded in the areas of Balabino, Malokaterynivka, and Kushuhum, as well as in the settlements on the right bank of the Dnipro River—Balka, Vasylivka, and Bilenke.

A spokesperson for the Defense Forces emphasized that such actions by the occupiers pose a direct threat to the local population. Military officials do not rule out that after gathering intelligence, the enemy may begin using kamikaze drones to carry out lethal strikes against civilians.

“The enemy is currently conducting active reconnaissance there, but it cannot be ruled out that they will also use unmanned aerial vehicles to target civilians in the area. This poses a particular threat to them,” the spokesperson emphasized. 

As a reminder, a 77-year-old man was killed in Orikhiv due to Russianshelling.

Britishintelligence has analyzed the Russian Federation’s strategy for airstrikes against Ukraine.

As a reminder, the occupiers attacked two districts in the Dnipropetrovsk region with artillery and drones.

Air defense forces also destroyed 29 enemy drones.