Russian forces have reduced the number of assaults on parts of the southern front and increasingly shifted from broad offensive operations to small infantry groups and infiltration tactics, according to Ukraine’s Southern Forces Group.
On the Huliaipole axis, the number of Russian assaults has fallen from around 20–30 per day in May-July to approximately 10, spokesperson Anastasiia Shevchenko said.
According to Shevchenko, Russian forces have largely abandoned attempts to advance on a broad front and are instead deploying small assault groups.
She said Russian troops have also reduced their use of armoured vehicles because Ukrainian unmanned systems monitor their logistics and can detect and strike personnel and equipment while they are moving towards the front.
Russian forces occasionally conduct assaults supported by motorcycles on the Huliaipole axis, but have not achieved significant advances, according to the Ukrainian military.
Thirteen combat engagements were recorded across the Southern Forces Group’s operational area over the past day. The Huliaipole axis remained the most active, with Russian troops making 10 attempts to advance near Hirke and towards Kosivtseve, Rizdvianka and Charivne.
Similar tactics are being used on the Orikhiv axis, where Russian troops are conducting assaults primarily with small groups moving on foot. Ukrainian forces have also recorded attempts at infiltration around Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove and Shcherbaky.
Shevchenko said Russia continues to use tactical aviation and various types of strike drones, while also targeting settlements close to the front line, including Zaporizhzhia.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia’s objective on this part of the front is to seize as much territory in Zaporizhzhia region as possible before the end of the year.
Shevchenko said the overall situation in the Southern Forces Group’s area of operations remains largely unchanged, with relatively low combat intensity, and that there are currently no indications of an imminent change in the nature of fighting on the southern front.
