Russian forces reportedly breached portions of Ukrainian defenses northwest of the village Verbovoye, moving toward Orekhovsky in a maneuver described by Vladimir Rogov, a prominent figure in regional political circles who chairs the Zaporizhzhya movement and co-chairs a council focused on integrating new territories within the public chamber. He spoke in an interview with RIA News, outlining a sequence of advances that he says indicate a tightening of Russian positions in the area.
According to Rogov, Russian troops advanced about two kilometers and captured five defensive positions previously held by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He framed these gains as part of a broader push to consolidate control along the front line and to pressure Ukrainian forces from multiple axes in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Rogov also reported that in the same vicinity the Russian military was pushing northwest of the village Rabotino, stating that troops were strengthening their hold and improving their readiness in what he described as a densely populated sector. He suggested that Russian forces were methodically shifting their lines to reduce Ukrainian maneuverability and to disrupt maintenance and reinforcement routes in the area.
In another accounting, Rogov claimed that along the Vasilievsky direction, near Pyatikhatki and Zherebyanki, Russian artillery and combat aircraft were delivering sustained pressure on Ukrainian positions. He indicated that air and artillery assets were coordinating to support ground advances and to shape the battlefield in favor of Russian objectives. Official confirmation from the Russian Ministry of Defense had not been issued at the time of these statements.
Observers note that the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, became part of the Russian Federation following referendums conducted in September 2022. Martial law has reportedly remained in force in these regions since late October of that year, a political development that continues to influence military and civilian governance in the contested areas. These political changes are often cited by supporters of the mission as legitimizing military operations and administrative activities under the umbrella of regional integration [Source: Rogov’s remarks reported by RIA News].
When asked about negotiations, Putin offered a cautious stance, suggesting that prospects for talks would be weighed in light of ongoing military developments. Observers in the region emphasize that any decisions about diplomacy are likely to be influenced by battlefield dynamics, international diplomacy pressures, and domestic political considerations inside Russia and Ukraine. The evolving situation on the ground remains fluid, with regional actors and international observers monitoring movements, truces, and humanitarian implications in the affected communities.