Russia's Zaporizhzhia Offensive Has Failed, As Surviving Troops Dig In

Having made a half-hearted attempt this summer to advance in Zaporizhzhia without sufficient forces, Ukrainian intelligence now reports that the Russians have halted any further attempts to attack and are digging in. 

This situation is similar to those in Kursk and Sumy, where the Russians also failed to make gains and from which they are now redeploying surviving troops to Pokrovsk. JL

New Voice of Ukraine reports:

Russia’s invasion forces failed to advance in Zaporizhzhya Oblast during their summer campaign as they lacked sufficient forces. Another reason for the failure of Russia’s summer offensive was fortifications. The Zaporizhzhya front is one of the most fortified. Russian troops made minimal gains, described as “cockroach-like advances through forested areas, measured not in kilometers but in tens and hundreds of meters. Breaking through the defense lines “would require enormous human resources, which Russia currently lacks.”

Russia’s invasion forces failed to advance in Zaporizhzhya Oblast during their summer campaign and will now focus on improving their tactical position, including for terrorist purposes, according to a report by Radio Liberty’s Novyny Pryazovia project on Sept. 11.

Dmytro Zhmaylo, executive director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, said the enemy lacked sufficient human resources.

In August, Russian troops made minimal gains, described as “cockroach-like advances through forested areas, measured not in kilometers but in tens and hundreds of meters, roughly 45 square kilometers,” Zhmaylo added.

 

He suggested that the aggressor is likely to abandon attempts at a breakthrough in Zaporizhzhya Oblast in favor of improving their tactical stance.

“In particular, the direction of attack will be Orikhiv, as Ukrainian forces use this settlement as a logistical hub for our defense, essentially southeast of Zaporizhzhya,” the expert said.

 

Zhmaylo said the enemy will aim to place all logistical routes in the area under tighter fire control.

Another reason for the failure of Russia’s summer offensive in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, besides the lack of manpower, was fortifications. Zhmaylo noted that the Zaporizhzhya front is one of the most fortified. The Russians understand that breaking through the defense lines is possible “but would require enormous human resources, which Russia currently lacks.”

Russian forces will now seek to improve their tactical position in Zaporizhzhya Oblast to prevent Ukrainian defenders from transferring reserves to other, more active fronts and for terrorist purposes, such as moving closer to the regional capital to strike it with guided aerial bombs (KABs).

“Given their current plan to increase the penetration depth of drones, which we can now estimate at about 20-25 kilometers, they are refining this approach,” Zhmaylo concluded.