Russia is trying to encircle Orikhiv: expert on the critical situation in Zaporizhzhia.

According to ТСН: The situation in the Zaporizhzhia direction is becoming critical: Russian troops are trying to encircle the city of Orikhiv and the village of Stepnohirske. The enemy is using the tactic of small assault groups to break through defensive lines.

Military expert Vladyslav Selezniov noted that the enemy is redeploying some of the Ukrainian forces from the Huliaipole direction to Pokrovsk, intensifying its offensive actions to the west of Huliaipole.

“The battles currently raging to the west and east of Stepnohirske indicate that the enemy is effectively trying to take this populated area 'in a vise'. They are also absolutely obvious. If we slightly enlarge the map, we will see that 'clamps' of operational encirclement are beginning to form around Orikhiv,”

The expert emphasized that these threats are still in a 'nascent state', but trends are alarming. A breakthrough by the Russians to the west of Huliaipole could lead to the encirclement of Ukrainian units in the city and pose a threat to the left flank of the defense of Orikhiv.

“The Orikhiv - Novomykolaivka road may initially fall under the enemy's fire impact. If the invader can advance deeply into dozens of kilometers over a wider front line, it will create serious problems for our entire grouping in this area,”

In his opinion, the enemy is also trying to create a 'buffer zone' in Sumy region, but lacks sufficient resources to advance on Sumy. The activity of the occupiers in the border areas is aimed at distracting the Defense Forces and responding to the presence of Ukrainian units in Russia's Kursk region.

What is the situation at the front?

The Russian army has intensified attempts to enter the northern part of Pokrovsk, which is above the railway. The cold is complicating combat operations for both sides.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that the Pokrovsk direction remains the epicenter of fierce battles, with daily clashes recorded at around 50.

More than 600 children continue to remain under constant shelling in the village of Kushuhum, Zaporizhzhia. Due to the rising attacks by FPV drones and the expansion of the 'gray zone', a forced evacuation of families with minors was announced from January 2. Police and volunteers conduct daily trips to evacuate people at risk of drone attacks.

Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that Russia aims to end the war in Ukraine with a 'defeat' by 2025, in particular, achieving Odessa and cutting off Ukraine's access to the sea.

The situation at the front remains complex, especially in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The efforts of the Russian troops to encircle Ukrainian units indicate serious intentions of the aggressor. At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to defend their positions, responding to constant threats from the enemy. The emergency evacuation of civilians in areas where fighting is taking place underscores the urgency of ensuring citizens' safety.