The Ukrainian Dnipro operational-strategic group of forces denied reports that Russian troops had taken the settlements of Oleksandrohrad, Ivanivka and Zelenyi Hai on the Novopavlivka axis, spokesman Oleksii Belskyi told Ukrinform on Friday, September 12.
“Information that the enemy has taken full control of the settlements of Oleksandrohrad, Ivanivka and Zelenyi Hai does not correspond to reality,” he said.
According to Belskyi, the Novopavlivka axis remains the second hottest after Pokrovsk, with Russian forces steadily increasing the number of assault operations there.
“Units of the AFU are using an ‘active defense’ tactic on the Novopavlivka axis, which involves not only holding positions but also active maneuver, strikes, counterattacks and fire to inflict maximum losses on the enemy and disrupt its offensive,” Belskyi said.
He added that this approach is slowing and complicating Russia’s advance while inflicting heavy losses in manpower and equipment.
On September 11, Russian forces launched 33 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donetsk region, along the administrative border and in Dnipropetrovsk region, he said. Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled assaults near the settlements of Filiia, Zelenyi Hai, Ivanivka, Yalta, Poddubne, Tolstoy, Komyshuvakha, Sosnivka, Maliivka, Olhivske, Poltavka, and Maliivkata toward Novoivanivka.
In August, Ukraine’s military regained control of 58 square kilometers and liberated several settlements. The Ukrainian army has also reported gains in Sumy region.
