Russia Prepares Transport Lockdown of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian Commander Says
Yevhen Lasiichuk, commander of the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces, says Russia is preparing to isolate Zaporizhzhia by attacking bridges, dams and critical infrastructure before seeking to capture the city. He identifies the Huliaipole direction from the east and the Orikhiv direction from the south as the main approaches requiring Ukrainian attention.
Key points
- Russia's stated objective on the Huliaipole axis is to advance toward and capture Zaporizhzhia
- Russian forces are striking bridges with aircraft and guided bombs, damaging dams and disrupting electricity
- The two main approaches to Zaporizhzhia are the Huliaipole direction from the east and the Orikhiv direction from the south
- Preliminary Ukrainian estimates place about 50,000 Russian troops on the Huliaipole axis
- Ukrainian forces have detected and destroyed Russian troops up to 15 kilometers behind their positions on the Huliaipole axis
- After a transport lockdown, Russia aims to bypass Zaporizhzhia from the north and reach Dnipro
- DeepState says Huliaipole is fully occupied, but the General Staff has not officially confirmed the status
Why it matters
An attack on Zaporizhzhia's bridges, dams, electricity supply and transport network could restrict the movement of people and goods and disrupt the city. The reported concentration of about 50,000 Russian troops on the Huliaipole axis, together with the unresolved status of Huliaipole, makes the eastern approach to Zaporizhzhia a major concern. Lasiichuk's comparison of a potential loss of Zaporizhzhia with the loss of Donbas underscores the strategic stakes he attributes to the city.
What happened
Lasiichuk said Russian forces are seeking to capture Zaporizhzhia through a transport or logistics lockdown. They have attacked bridges with aircraft and guided bombs, struck dams and critical infrastructure, damaged electricity supply and destroyed heavy trucks to obstruct routes and create disruption. He believes preparations for the lockdown are already under way.
The operation would involve two main approaches: Orikhiv from the south and Huliaipole from the east. Russian activity on the Huliaipole axis is increasing, with preliminary Ukrainian estimates putting the force there at about 50,000 troops. Ukrainian forces have reportedly detected and destroyed Russian troops as far as 15 kilometers behind their positions.
Lasiichuk said that after isolating Zaporizhzhia, Russia intends to bypass it from the north and reach Dnipro. He also suggested the Huliaipole offensive could serve as a diversion intended to draw Ukrainian forces away from Donbas.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the operational situation along the Huliaipole and Orikhiv axes, the scale of the Russian groupings and the defensive tasks facing Zaporizhzhia. Particular attention is paid to attacks on bridges, dams, electricity and other infrastructure as components of a transport lockdown. The earlier decision to deploy reserves to Dobropillia rather than Pokrovsk is also presented as a measure designed to prevent Russian forces from advancing deeply into Ukrainian territory and to create a barrier against movements from the south and north.
Where reporting differs
DeepState reported that Russian forces had fully occupied Huliaipole and marks it on its interactive map as being under occupation control. The General Staff has not officially confirmed the city's full occupation, leaving its status disputed.
Background
Lasiichuk commands the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces and was responsible for the defense of Pokrovsk last year. The 7th Corps' command transferred to the Huliaipole direction several months ago. Huliaipole is a major railway junction, while Russian forces partially control the neighboring settlement of Zalyzhnychane.
In summer 2025, Ukraine's military leadership directed reserves to Dobropillia rather than Pokrovsk. According to Lasiichuk, the aim was to restore lost positions and establish a barrier against a wider Russian advance, including possible movements through Dobropillia from the south and Barvinkove from the north.