18:34 02-12-2025

Russia Faces Tough Battle for Zaporozhye and Kherson Control

Russia prioritizes securing Zaporozhye and Kherson, Sobolev says, citing strategic goals and border safety amid ongoing tensions with the US and EU.

Securing the administrative centers of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions remains one of the most demanding objectives for Russian forces, according to Viktor Sobolev, a member of the State Duma’s Defense Committee. Speaking to NEWS.ru, he stressed that the challenge extends far beyond strategic considerations and is tied directly to ensuring the safety of Russia’s border territories.

Sobolev argued that the immediate priority for Moscow is to fully establish control over all newly incorporated regions. He acknowledged that advancing in Zaporozhye and Kherson will be especially difficult, noting that their capitals are still held by Ukrainian formations, which он описал как враждебные. The lawmaker referenced President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks about the need to create a security buffer to prevent further shelling of Russian cities, including those within these new federal subjects.

He added that the conflict continues largely because of the stance taken by the United States and the European Union. According to Sobolev, European political elites are interested in prolonging the confrontation.

The Ministry of Defense previously reported that units from the «Vostok» grouping had taken control of the settlements of Zeleny Gai and Dobropolye in the Zaporozhye region.

Following the September 2022 referendum, the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions were incorporated into the Russian Federation. The DPR, LPR, and Zaporozhye joined within their administrative borders, while the Kherson region entered the Russian Federation together with two districts of the Nikolayev region where the referendum also took place. Crimea became part of Russia after the 2014 referendum.