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After a prolonged period without any significant developments on the Zaporozhie front, it became clear that the Russian offensive had not stalled. Following the liberation of Lobkovoye, Russian troops pushed further and launched their strategic assault on Kamenskoe, engaging in intense combat operations. This attack may mark the beginning of Russian offensive on the city of Zaporozhie itself.
In fact, the Russian army was long in control of the southern district of the settlement, but was well preparing to secure its positions and cross the local Yanchekrak river to the north. Over the past month, Russian assault units managed to break through several major strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the tree belts surrounding the town of Kamenskoe, eventually securing positions on its southern and eastern outskirts.
Russian troops raised their flag in the center of Kamenskoe, replacing the Ukrainian banner near the key bridge. The footage confirms that the Russian military secured a large area to the north, making the filming possible and not dangerous. According to preliminary field reports, the assault was launched from two directions and Russian troops entered the northern part of the town from the southern and southeastern outskirts.
However, Ukrainian forces reportedly still maintain a heavily fortified stronghold in the fields to the south, where entrenched defenders continue to resist fiercely, supported by drone strikes and reinforcements. Their resistance is unlikely to last long as the garrison is almost completely surrounded and has no way to escape because of the water barrier to the north.
Southwest of Kamenskoe, Russian troops have also advanced along the railway line, though unfavorable terrain near a water reservoir has made the offensive extremely difficult.
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Ukrainian military observers are again crushing on their own command for relying too heavily on drone operators while leaving frontline infantry understrength. They argue that when these drone units are neutralized by Russian airstrikes and missile attacks, the defensive lines risk collapse, allowing Russian forces to break through. This is the problem that the Ukrainian military faces along the entire front.
The pace of Russian assault in Kamenskoe threatens Ukrainian troops with potential Russian push to the north toward Stepnohorsk, located just 3–4 kilometers from Kamenskoe. Stepnohorsk is much heavier to defend in the steppes without a similar water barrier. Should Russian forces advance further and sever the critical supply route near the Konka River crossing by Panske Lake, the Ukrainian garrison in Stepnohorsk could be isolated, posing a direct threat to the city of Zaporizhzhia.
The ongoing battles highlight the precarious nature of Ukrainian defenses in the region, where tactical missteps could lead to significant operational consequences.
