Russian military drones can reach the southern outskirts of Zaporizhzhia from the current front line on the Zaporizhzhia axis, a Ukrainian serviceman Denys Yaroslavskyi said on Ranok.Live, warning that multiple strike systems are in play and new Russian “Geran” drones are expected. According to him, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy, are within range of various Russian weapons.
Yaroslavskyi said both FPV drones and fiber‑optic‑guided UAVs can reach Zaporizhzhia. He described persistent problems with Russian strikes on a large city, noting that Russian drone operators remain concealed behind the front while the drones themselves can fly roughly 20 kilometers, with some systems operating at 30–35 kilometers.
“The situation is on the brink. When FPV drones start getting through, that’s a real problem. Roll back 20 kilometers from the line of contact on the map — and UAVs can freely fly in. That’s a real problem for both Zaporizhzhia and Sumy,” he said.
Beyond drones, regional centers face threats from glide bombs (KABs), missiles and “Geran” loitering munitions, Yaroslavskyi added. He expects especially heavy Russian strikes as colder weather sets in. “[Russia] is already shifting to mass production of third‑generation ‘Geran’ drones. My personal opinion is the enemy will wait for the start of the heating season and step up strikes then,” he said.
On September 18, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, said Russian forces are fighting for Plavni and Kamianske but stressed the situation remains under control. A DeepState analyst map showed the front line running roughly 20 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia’s southern outskirts.
On September 19, a Ukrainian soldier with the call sign “Muchnoy” reported on fighting 90 kilometers east of Zaporizhzhia, on the western flank of the Novopavlivka sector. He said Russian forces are advancing toward Uspenivka, with a risk they could break through to Novoivanivka and open a new axis of attack. In a subsequent update, he said Novoivanivka was almost fully occupied, while Ukrainian troops were holding an industrial zone to the southwest.
“The situation is developing steadily; the enemy is slowly but surely biting off our positions, bringing up resources and gradually reaching new lines,” the note said.
Ukraine’s General Staff reported on Facebook the morning of September 19 that it recorded five Russian assaults on the Orikhiv axis opposite Zaporizhzhia, with attacks near Kamianske and Novoandriivka. On September 16, Zaporizhzhia’s acting mayor, Regina Kharchenko, said there was no order from the military administration to evacuate the city.
Also on September 16, Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi dismissed two corps commanders. Media reported the likely reason was the loss of positions. Volodymyr Sylenko, commander of the 17th Corps, had overseen the defense of Plavni and Kamianske.
