Ukrainian military: No street fighting in Orikhiv despite Russian claims of advancing towards city

The city of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located about 15 km from the line of contact, has seen no Russian presence or street fighting, and Russian troops would have to push through several layers of Ukrainian defences to reach it.

Source: Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South, in a comment to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Quote: "Russia's top military leadership has claimed that street fighting is taking place in Orikhiv. I would like to say that this is complete nonsense. To reach Orikhiv, they would first need to take control of Novodanylivka, which lies on their route.

They occasionally try to approach using sabotage and reconnaissance groups, attempting to infiltrate covertly, but Ukraine's defence forces are killing them there. So it cannot even be said that the enemy has reached Novodanylivka. As for Orikhiv, there are certainly no Russian forces there."

Details: However, Voloshyn noted that Russian forces are planning to move closer to Orikhiv.

Quote: "The city is subjected to daily aerial strikes. Every day we record between 15 and 20 attacks using guided aerial bombs. According to our intelligence, some Russian units have been tasked with moving closer to Orikhiv, reaching its outskirts and attempting to gain a foothold."

Details: Voloshyn said Russian forces have intensified assault operations on the Zaporizhzhia front, seeking to return to the levels seen before Easter.

Quote: "On the Huliaipole front, the enemy is trying to break through south of Huliaipole towards the settlement of Verkhnia Tersa. Heavy fighting is ongoing there."

Details: On the Orikhiv front, Russian troops are trying to attack near Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky and to push towards Stepnohirsk.

Quote: "The colour palette of the battlefield will soon change as more greenery appears. The enemy wants to gain a certain tactical advantage before that, which is why it is increasing the intensity of its assault operations."

Background: Certain units of the Russian armed forces received financial bonuses for February for successful FPV drone strikes against Ukrainian troops on the Huliaipole front.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!