Russian forces have significantly intensified their fire activity in southern Ukraine following the so-called “Easter truce”, increasing artillery shelling, FPV drone strikes, and kamikaze drone attacks.
According to Ukrinform, this was stated on a television broadcast by Vladyslav Voloshyn, Spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine.
“On the southern front line, the Russians significantly increased their fire activity the very next day after the so-called ‘Easter ceasefire’. Primarily, they increased the number of artillery shellings — more than 420 were recorded over the past day. Normally, we register about 290–310, so this is nearly a 25% increase in artillery fire. Additionally, there was a rise in FPV and kamikaze drone attacks — over 600 were recorded over the past day,” Voloshyn explained.
He added that Russian assault actions also continue, with almost two and a half dozen assaults occurring in the southern sector.
“The increase in artillery shelling is related to the fact that during the day of ‘truce,’ the enemy carried out logistics operations and transported ammunition without interference, because we only responded to their attacks. We delivered mirrored responses. As a result, they were able to resupply, and now they are conducting counter-battery duels. Ukrainian Defense Forces are also conducting counter-battery operations, and the enemy is suffering losses in both artillery systems and logistics. We’re not letting the enemy act freely,” Voloshyn said.
The Spokesperson further noted that the invaders have become more active in using aviation, conducting airstrikes with guided bombs and unguided rockets. These airstrikes have affected not only Ukrainian defensive positions, but also urban areas in Zaporizhzhia.
“According to our intelligence, the enemy currently has enough forces to carry out infantry assaults by small groups, and even larger assault operations, like those seen last week,” Voloshyn concluded.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, a massive assault by a combined Russian military group in the Zaporizhzhia direction was crushed by Ukrainian forces.
