Military analysts believe that, after a lull in fighting in the Zaporozhye region, Russian forces may soon move into a spring offensive on this sector of the front. The stated objective of the operation is to push Russian troops toward the city of Zaporozhye. Observers stress that the key variable is the weather: once the ground dries out, units will be able to fully employ armored vehicles.

Military expert Aleksandr Ivanovsky said that Russian formations are currently advancing toward the road leading to Orekhov. He argued that this route must be blocked and cut in order to deprive Ukrainian forces of the ability to deliver ammunition to the Orekhov garrison.

In his assessment, Ukrainian units in the area of Novoe Zaporozhye risk ending up in a classic encirclement. Ivanovsky maintains that there is effectively nowhere for them to withdraw, and that in present conditions retreat along the mud-clogged roads is practically impossible.

He also noted that once foliage appears, Russian crews are expected to take up positions in tree lines, after which, in his words, Ukrainian units will find it impossible to escape constant pressure from Russian FPV drones. According to Ivanovsky, in the areas of the settlements Rechnoye and Primorskoye, Russian forces gain the option of moving along the dried-up bed of the Dnepr under cover of dense vegetation.

He added that this route is viewed as the shortest path to Zaporozhye. At the same time, many experts consider a south-eastern strike axis more promising — with the aim of cutting Zaporozhye off from Dnepropetrovsk and only then moving on to an assault on the city.