Ukrainian commander: Russian infantry groups may enter Zaporizhzhia this winter

The commander of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmytro Filatov, has suggested that Russian forces could enter Zaporizhzhia in separate infantry groups as early as the winter period.

According to Filatov, the Stepnohirsk direction and the Dnipro riverbank could become the main axis of a Russian advance on the city with the onset of cold weather, due to the dense urban development. The commander also noted that a similar situation had unfolded the previous year, when Russian forces drew closer to Zaporizhzhia.

“I think that this year, during the winter period, we will record an approach and entry into Zaporizhzhia itself. Not troops, but separate groups. This is possible, and there is a very high probability of it,” Filatov said.

The commander specified that he was referring to infantry groups specifically, not a full-scale military offensive. He also emphasized the potential consequences of even such a scenario.

“These will be infantry groups that will reach Zaporizhzhia. Separate ones, but they will reach it. And if the enemy gets a foothold in the city — that’s a whole different story. Imagine how this will affect our partners, how it will inspire the Russian army and Putin,” Filatov added.

Earlier, Russia stated that Russian forces had advanced to within four kilometers of the eastern outskirts of Sloviansk.