Russia strengthens its military forces and intensifies its bombing of Ukraine in preparation for a possible massive ground invasion in the southern front

Russia has reinforced its military forces and intensified its bombing in preparation for an offensive on the southern front, where its positions have largely remained unchanged in recent months, a Ukrainian military spokesman said Tuesday.

The Russian offensive in the southern Zaporizhia region poses a challenge to the Ukrainian army, which is already struggling on the eastern front and is still engaged in an offensive operation in Russia’s Kursk region, on the northern border.

“The Russians have been preparing for some time, for several weeks, to carry out offensive operations in several directions, especially towards Zaporizhia,” Ukrainian military spokesman Vladislav Voloshin said.

He explained that the Russian army is strengthening its forces, especially in the areas of Vremivka, Golyapole and Robotyny.

“Every day he conducts aerial and technical reconnaissance there, and replenishes ammunition… For several weeks, the enemy has been preparing to use armored vehicles,” he added.

Voloshin declined to specify the number of Russian soldiers massed in this sector of the front, but indicated that small groups were already launching attacks every day.

He stressed that Ukrainian forces have strengthened their defense lines and are ready to repel a large-scale attack.

Last summer, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale offensive to retake the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions in the country’s south, but failed to make significant progress.

The New York Times reported that Moscow has mobilized 50,000 soldiers, including North Koreans, in an attempt to defeat Ukrainian forces that have controlled part of the Russian border region of Kursk for about three months.