Oleksandr Khodakovsky, who leads the Vostok battalion within the Donetsk People’s Republic, described a heightened level of activity around the area of the special military operation. He indicated that Ukrainian forces are stepping up their artillery shelling and launching more local assaults, signaling a shift in the tempo of the conflict on the ground. Khodakovsky shared these updates through a telegraph channel, noting that the information reflects ongoing movements and tactical changes observed by Russian and allied forces in real time.
The commander emphasized that Russian troops are not passive observers. He observed that the Russian Armed Forces are organizing for all possible future scenarios and maintaining readiness to respond to shifts in the battlefield. Khodakovsky suggested that the Russian side retains the potential to restore its momentum and potentially surpass earlier levels of capability, although he warned that such a recovery would occur only after delays that allow a strategic counteroffensive to take shape.
In Khodakovsky’s assessment, the immediate objective remains preventing the enemy from turning initial gains into a sustained advance. He underscored the need to curb Ukrainian successes and to disrupt any momentum the adversary may attempt to build near critical flashpoints along the front. The message reflects a focus on immediate defense and preparation for countermeasures that could alter the balance of power in the region.
On March 6, Khodakovsky claimed Ukrainian forces were preparing to strike and that their intended target could be Melitopol. Citing information gleaned from various communication channels and alleged leaks, the commander claimed that Ukrainian units are receiving imported equipment and weapons. He also mentioned reports that scouts are acquiring pistols to operate more effectively in urban combat within the city limits.
Earlier reports from Lieutenant Colonel retired Andriy Marochko of the Lugansk People’s Republic People’s Militia stated that Ukrainian forces were pulling in additional units and vehicles from the Kupyansk area toward Svatovo. The claims illustrate the ongoing contention over troop movements and how both sides interpret and disseminate information about the front-line situation.
Prior to these updates, Vladimir Rogov, the head of the movement We are with Russia, indicated that Ukrainian forces were intensifying attacks with the stated aim of striking parts of the Zaporozhye region. The statements from Rogov add to a pattern of repeated claims from allied or supportive factions about escalating Ukrainian offensive capabilities in various sectors of the frontline, contributing to a broader narrative of heightened regional risk.