AFU Prepare 'Cauldron': Direction And Timing Of New Offensive Named

The actions of the Ukrainian army resemble preparations for the liberation of the Kherson bridgehead.

The AFU's actions in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, resemble battlefield preparations similar to those that occurred in and around Kherson before the city was de-occupied, Conflict Intelligence Team analyst Kirill Mikhailov says.

The actions of the Ukrainian military aim to destroy the supplies and command structure of occupants. It should facilitate the actions of ground forces if they launch an offensive, he stressed in an interview with Radio NV.

The analyst believes that along with the Svatove-Kreminna line, the Zaporizhzhia direction is one of the two obvious directions where Ukrainian forces can develop an offensive.

He assumes that the front on the Zaporizhzhia direction is equipped by occupants with fortifications only in some strategic directions. For example, Melitopol, which accordingly allows Ukrainian mobile mechanized forces to bypass and create so-called cauldrons, encircle Russians or force them to retreat.

Mikhailov adds that it is necessary to wait until the ground freezes before offensive in Zaporizhzhia direction. It will facilitate the movement of wheeled vehicles supplied to Ukraine by Western partners and trucks bringing fuel and ammunition. No profound offensive is possible without these vehicles.

Earlier, it was reported there was a powerful explosion in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. After that, Russian occupants blocked the city's roads.

Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of Melitopol, told about the new "bavovna" in Melitopol.

He says that a loud explosion was heard in the very center of the city - in the area of the Chess School.

"Locals reported gunfire and witnessed a body covered with black film. We are waiting for details of who's died," Fedorov added.