Russia has reinforced its military contingent and stepped up bombing in preparation for an assault on the southern front, where positions have remained largely unchanged in recent months, AFP reported , citing a Ukrainian military spokesman.
A Russian offensive in the southern Zaporozhye region would pose a challenge to the Ukrainian army, which is already struggling on the eastern front and is still involved in the invasion of Russia's Kursk region in the north.
"The Russians have been preparing for some time, for several weeks, to conduct assault operations in several directions, in particular in the direction of Zaporozhye," Vladyslav Voloshin, spokesman for the Ukrainian army in the southern sector, told AFP. He emphasized that the Russian army is strengthening its forces in the Vremovka, Gulyaipole and Rabotine sectors.
"Every day it (the Russian army) conducts aerial and technical reconnaissance and replenishes its ammunition stocks. "For several weeks now, the enemy has been preparing to use armored vehicles," he added.
Voloshin declined to specify the number of Russian servicemen gathered in this sector of the front line, but he said small groups of them were already carrying out several attacks each day. He assured that Ukrainian forces have strengthened their defense lines and are ready to repel a large-scale attack, AFP notes.