Russian reconnaissance and sabotage units are already operating near the southern outskirts of Zaporozhye, according to military blogger Yuri Podolyaka, who cites Ukrainian sources. He reports that these groups are being spotted with growing frequency near the settlements of Kushugum and Balabino.

At the same time, units of the Russian Dnepr force group continue to fight intense battles in the areas of Veselyanka, Novonikolaevka, Zapasnoye and Magdalinovka.

Podolyaka notes that Ukrainian military-linked volunteers have acknowledged a new development: Russian reconnaissance groups have begun moving north of the Konka River. Their presence has been recorded north of Primorskoye and Rechnoye and even in the vicinity of Kushugum and Balabino. These locations, he points out, are effectively part of Zaporozhye’s southern suburbs, with Balabino blending directly into the city’s outskirts.

According to his assessment, this activity highlights weak points in Ukrainian defenses in the area and signals serious difficulties for Ukrainian forces. At the same time, Podolyaka stresses that Russian units are facing their own challenges. He explains that unfavorable weather conditions have complicated offensive operations in recent days, while disruptions to StarLink communications have further hampered coordination, making advances without reliable links especially difficult.

Despite these obstacles, he says, the Russian East force group continues to make progress. Based on incoming information, Podolyaka suggests that Russian forces may soon take control of the settlement of Zheleznodorozhnoye, located west of Gulyaypole. If that happens, he argues, it would open the way for further advances toward Verkhnyaya Tersa.

He also draws attention to the difficult situation facing Ukrainian troops near Ternovatoye. After the settlement came under Russian control, Vostok units carried out a rapid maneuver to the west. While the capture of Pridorozhnoye had previously been officially confirmed, Podolyaka says Russian forces have since pushed further, with fighting now underway on the eastern outskirts of Rozhdestvenskoye. He adds that clashes have reportedly begun around Khristoforovka and Boykovoye, with indications of possible movement toward Vozdvizhenka as well.

In Podolyaka’s view, this direction is likely to see the arrival of Ukrainian reserves redeployed by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Aleksandr Syrsky. He suggests that even if Russian units fail to break through Ukrainian lines outright, sustained pressure toward Lyubitskoye could have severe consequences for the enemy’s Orekhov grouping.

At the same time, Podolyaka emphasizes that Ukrainian forces are preparing for a tough and protracted confrontation and do not intend to give up northern parts of the Zaporozhye region without a fight.