Russian assault units and drone operators from the Vostok Group have secured positions near Zelenaya Dibrova and Barvinovka in Zaporozhye Region. According to Zvezda television, Russian forces have established fire control over routes used to supply the Ukrainian defense hub around Orekhov.

The report said Russian troops are using smoke grenades during assault operations. The smoke serves both to conceal the movement of assault groups and to force Ukrainian soldiers out of their shelters.

A squad commander with the call sign Mityai explained that Russian troops use smoke as a diversion, moving in from a different direction rather than approaching from the side where the smoke is deployed and where Ukrainian forces may expect an attack.

A drone operator with the call sign Smerch said unmanned aircraft operating in this sector perform several roles, including reconnaissance and strikes against Ukrainian positions.

He described a continuous rotation system in which drone crews replace one another when batteries run low, allowing UAVs to remain in the air without interruption.

According to the report, coordinated operations by assault units, artillery and drone crews are increasing pressure on Ukrainian defenses in Zaporozhye Region. It also claimed that Ukrainian forces are losing hundreds of personnel each day, along with equipment and additional sections of territory.