Ukrainian Commander Warns Russian Groups Could Reach Zaporizhzhia City During Winter

Dmytro Filatov, commander of Ukraine's 1st Separate Assault Regiment, said on the YouTube channel "Real Front" that Russian forces could try this winter to infiltrate Zaporizhzhia with small infantry groups via routes near Stepnohirsk and the Dnipro riverbank, rating the scenario as highly likely, though he said he does not foresee a full-scale entry into the city 1. Southern Forces Group spokesperson Anastasiia Shevchenko told Ukrinform this is untrue, saying no evidence points to a direct advance and that a small-group infiltration attempt "cannot be completely ruled out" but is not highly likely 23. Shevchenko said the line of contact sits roughly 30 km from the city, Ukrainian unmanned systems detect enemy personnel before they can close that distance, and Russian forces currently lack the forces and capabilities for a direct push on Zaporizhzhia 23. She added that Russian troops have attempted small-group infiltration on the Orikhiv axis near Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove and Shcherbaky, without success and with significant Russian personnel losses 23.