Ukraine braces for Russian general offensive in Dnipropetrovsk
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are warning about a planned "general offensive" by the Russians in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as reported by the 46th Independent Airmobile Brigade.
According to a statement from the brigade, the Russians are preparing for a general assault in the Novopavlivka direction, aiming to reach the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region, which would give them "operational space." Their goal is to prevent Ukrainian forces from building a deeper defense line in the region and to break through the last line of Ukrainian fortifications at its border.
The brigade's command reports that the Russians are "leveling" the front line near Avdiivka, indicating intensified combat operations south of the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia road.
Defense preparations
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already begun preparing to repel a potential assault. Fortifications and defenses are being strengthened.
Russian offensive actions in the south are already underway, although they are currently sporadic. The Ukrainian command assesses that this direction is currently stalled, which might indicate a wait for developments in the north.
Zelensky talks about territory exchange
The potential loss of the Dnipropetrovsk region could be very costly for Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed exchanging Russian territories under Ukrainian control for Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
Any territorial changes unfavorable to Ukraine could negatively impact such an exchange, which is intended to lead to the end of the war.
