Russia amasses large forces in southern Ukraine — Ukrainian Volunteer Army

Serhii Bratchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, stated this on Espreso TV.

"The situation in the south and southeast is definitely not easy. It is extremely difficult, both in the Huliaipole area and along the vector from Stepnohirsk. Today, the Russians have indeed concentrated quite large forces here. They have pulled in troops and units, this is the 'Dnipro' grouping. These are primarily Russian airborne assault divisions, VDV units. They are attacking very actively near Stepnohirsk, near Prymorske, if we're talking about this vector, and Huliaipole itself. Obviously, the enemy's goal today is to flank this defense node of our Armed Forces. They want to encircle this Orikhiv area, let's call it that, in order to try to advance further. They want to reach new lines and create a bridgehead to plan their further actions," he said.

Serhii Bratchuk noted that perhaps the enemy sees certain prospects for advancing further in the near future.

"Therefore, today I understand how difficult the decisions are that our General Staff and our Armed Forces must make in a timely manner. These decisions are needed to bring the situation here closer to signs of stabilization, or at least leveling the situation. The enemy is very active here. And if we talk about the fact that today the Russians are pulling in units with unmanned systems, we understand this is to maximize coverage of their advances and use infiltration tactics. The same tactics they used and continue to use on other parts of the front. So indeed, the south, despite it being winter, is extremely hot," he added.