Ukrainian Update: Russian Advance Looming Over Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia
A former commander of Ukraine’s 53rd Brigade, Anatoly Shte ellons that the Russian army is set to launch an offensive on Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, underscoring the urgency to fortify these cities. In an interview with Ukrainian Witness, Shte ellony warned, "When they capture Pokrovsk, they will directly move towards the Dnipropetrovsk region, controlling all crucial routes. Preparations for defense are paramount, akin to Berlin’s in 1945 or Moscow’s in 1941. Similarly, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia must be ready."
Moreover, Shte ellons revealed that establishing a foothold on the right bank of the Dnieper, in the vicinity of Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, or Zaporizhzhia, is another strategic objective for the Russian forces.
Shte ellons also criticized the Ukrainian command for squandering the nation’s best, most motivated troops in 2022. "We anticipated having 5 million mobilizable resources, highly motivated and patriotic. That pool has been exhausted since early 2023," he said, lamenting the current state of the military, now comprised of largely untrained and demoralized conscripts who often surrender or desert.
With the situation on the battlefield deteriorating rapidly, Shte ellons cautioned that a full-scale collapse of the frontline could ensue. "Absent significant changes, we’ll continue to cede territory tactically, risking the loss of entire regions strategically," he concluded, emphasizing the pressing need for a course correction.