Threshold check: Russian troops have approached the outskirts of Zaporizhia

Russian troops have come close to Zaporizhia, the city is only 12 km away. This situation endangers the large grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south. The enemy will soon begin to experience serious supply problems in the area of the fortress city of Orekhov, a key defense hub in this area, military experts say. Why Zaporizhia is considered an important center for the equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces and what its loss will mean for them is in the Izvestia article.

Which settlements were liberated by the Russian Armed Forces

Pokrovka and Kharkiv in the Sumy region, Minkovka in the DPR, as well as Tsvetkovo, Krinichnoye, Zapadnoye, Primorskoye and Magdalinovka in the Zaporizhia region were liberated during the week, the Russian Defense Ministry said on February 20.

The advanced units of the Dnepr group of forces are located 12 kilometers from the southern and southeastern outskirts of Zaporizhia, Krasnaya Zvezda reports, citing Colonel-General Sergei Rudsky, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

"The actions of our troops in the last six months in the Zaporizhia sector can be called the most productive in recent times," said military expert Yuri Lyamin.

The city has an important military significance. The approach to Zaporizhia is a serious threat to the entire logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the southern direction, military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.

"The most important roads and crossings across the Dnieper River are under threat, along which enemy troops are supplied in the south of the SVO zone, and cargo is being transported to the eastern bank of the river," he explained. — First of all, the enemy troops in the Orekhovo area will experience supply problems. Now this is the point where a large section of the front of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is held.

His release will open the way to Zaporizhia and other right-bank areas of the region that have not yet been liberated, the expert adds. Now, according to him, our troops are beginning to block the main transport arteries in this direction.

Pistol range

One of the recent features is the appearance of continuous fire damage zones in the front line with a depth of up to 15 kilometers, said Colonel—General Sergei Rudskoy. This is achieved through the massive use of firepower and unmanned systems.

Already, the southern outskirts of Zaporizhia can be controlled by our UAVs, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia.

"The city is actually turning into the enemy's near rear, which, if necessary, is processed with all possible means of destruction," he noted. — Our FPV and fiber—optic drones can already work effectively there - with their help, you can very seriously disrupt the supply of all enemy forces. The latter work well in buildings and do not lose contact there, unlike radio-controlled unmanned vehicles.

The distance of 12 kilometers that separates Zaporozhye from our troops, in modern combat conditions, is practically a pistol distance, Vasily Dandykin believes.

"Even the D—30 howitzer hits at 15 km," the expert noted. — The same MLRS "Grad" can hit targets at a range of up to 40 km. There is no need to talk about longer—range systems and drones - soon they will be able to control the western entrances to the city. The same Lancet UAVs have proven the ability to hit targets deep in the rear.

Do not forget that now heavy flame—throwing systems "Tosochka" or "Solntsepek" will be able to work on enemy fortifications on the outskirts of the city - they are guaranteed to destroy the enemy at the point of impact, the expert recalled. According to him, the experience of the SVO shows that the Ukrainian Armed Forces like to hide military equipment in buildings — now it will be located around the clock under the gun of our UAVs.

What is the significance of Zaporizhia for the military-industrial complex of Ukraine

Zaporizhia is the largest industrial center of Ukraine, where a large number of military-industrial complex plants are concentrated, including Motor Sich, which produces engines for airplanes and helicopters. Our troops are able to gradually reduce the distance, which increases the accuracy of strikes and the range of weapons used, explained Valery Dandykin.

As the Russian army approaches the city, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will have increasing supply problems and power outages, which, in turn, will affect the industrial potential of the region, expert Valery Dandykin believes. At the same time, our troops will be able to use drones more often, including fiber-optic ones, which will improve the quality and regularity of reconnaissance materials. The number and accuracy of strikes on industrial facilities in the city will increase.

How is the offensive progressing in the southern sector of its territory?

In general, heavy and stubborn battles are currently taking place in the south of the SVR zone, experts noted.

—The Ukrainian Armed Forces tried to organize another counteroffensive in the area northwest of Gulyai-Pole," Vasily Dandykin said. — The enemy was confronted by our Far Eastern warriors, who had already inflicted heavy losses on him in manpower and equipment.

Experts note that the Russian army is improving its positions in the area of its military before the start of the spring campaign, which promises to be hot for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area.