Russians gather assault groups near Robotyne and Pryiutne in southern Ukraine, military says

Russian forces are concentrating assault group personnel near the towns of Robotyne and Pryiutne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southern Ukraine, potentially preparing for future offensive actions, according to the Ukrainian military.

Earlier, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian troops might soon begin assault actions in the direction of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, adding another axis of attack alongside ongoing offensives in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv Oblasts.

Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, stated in a television broadcast on 9 October that while large-scale assaults have not yet begun, the Russian military is already positioning personnel of assault groups in forward positions near these locations, as per Ukrinform.

“The enemy has not yet started these assaults, but I want to say that they are already concentrating the personnel of these assault groups in forward positions,” Voloshyn said.

He added that Russian forces are conducting reconnaissance and search operations to identify Ukrainian fire positions. Voloshyn estimated that enemy assault actions by small infantry groups could begin in approximately three to five days or within a week.

“Currently, our intelligence has not detected the formation of offensive groupings. These assault groups are being formed from the Russian units and formations operating in this direction, particularly motorized rifle units and their airborne assault troops,” the spokesman explained.

Voloshyn further detailed that in addition to assault groups, the Russian military is creating units for consolidating captured positions. He described a tactical approach where small infantry groups of five to ten people would carry out assaults, followed by consolidation groups to hold the captured positions.

The overall situation in southern Ukraine remains complex, with daily enemy shelling. According to Voloshyn, Russian forces conduct at least 200-250 artillery attacks daily, along with missile strikes, air attacks, and drone operations.

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