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Russian forces have set a deadline of the end of October to capture Tavriiske, Orikhiv and Preobrazhenka in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast, according to Anastasiia Shevchenko, deputy spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defence Forces.
In comments to Ukrinform, Shevchenko said Ukrainian troops were preventing Russian forces from advancing and inflicting significant losses on them.
Small Russian infantry groups, typically consisting of two soldiers, have been attempting to infiltrate Orikhiv undetected but have been unable to establish a foothold, she said. Russian troops are trying to build up their presence in the city to prepare for further assaults.
Ukrainian units are detecting these groups and striking them both on the outskirts and inside Orikhiv, Shevchenko added. She also rejected Russian claims that their troops had supposedly “cleared” the city.
The 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces said Russian troops were avoiding direct frontal assaults on Ukrainian positions near Orikhiv. Instead, they are attempting to bypass the fortified Ukrainian defensive area from the right flank.
