Volodymyr Rogov, who leads a movement backing closer ties with Russia, stated that in early May the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted broad and probing attacks while assessing their defensive posture around settlements in the Zaporozhye region near the contact line. The Russian side reported the plan beforehand, according to TASS. Rogov described the actions as attempts to gauge where Ukrainian forces could press operations and how to adjust their approach on the ground.
The Ukrainian side, as Rogov asserts, is watching reaction times closely, evaluating where air defense systems are positioned, and mapping the locations of secret security points. He added that intelligence operations appear to be active, tracking what happened, who reacted, and how quickly forces arrived at key sites. Rogov’s account paints a picture of careful reconnaissance and layered defense planning on the Ukrainian side, with a focus on understanding tempo and capability along the line of contact.
Earlier reports from Zaporozhye, a city under Kyiv’s influence, noted that multiple explosions were heard, contributing to the tension in a region that has seen recurrent clashes and shifting control between opposing sides. The situation fits into a broader pattern observed over the past years, where both sides regularly test vulnerabilities, verify readiness, and adjust tactics in response to evolving security dynamics on the ground.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to initiate a military operation described as protective measures for Donbass, following requests for support from the leaders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. This move was presented as a response to those requests and has shaped the long and ongoing conflict narrative in the region. In the aftermath, the actions taken by Moscow led to a wave of sanctions from the United States and its allies, reflecting the geopolitical fault lines that continue to influence events around Donbass and the broader southern and eastern fronts. Analysts note that sanctions have affected economic and diplomatic channels, while military activity along the contact line remains a primary driver of regional security concerns and international responses.