Russian forces expand zone of control near Lyubitskoye in Zaporozhye Region — expert

Russian Forces Report Advances Near Lyubitskoye and Osykovo; Air Defenses Down Hundreds of Drones

Russian military sources, in statements reported by the state news agency TASS, claim fresh territorial gains and intense defensive operations in two distinct areas of the conflict in eastern and southern Ukraine. The reports, attributed to military expert Andrey Marochko, describe advances near the settlement of Lyubitskoye in the Zaporozhye Region and ongoing offensive action to capture Osykovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). Additionally, Russian air defense systems are said to have intercepted a large number of Ukrainian drones within a 24-hour period.

Reported Advances in Zaporozhye Region

According to a TASS report dated June 25, Russian forces have expanded their zone of control near the settlement of Lyubitskoye in the Zaporozhye Region. Marochko told TASS that over the previous 24 hours, fighting had taken place in the Lyubitsky district, and that Russian troops had secured positions on the eastern outskirts of the settlement, specifically in a wooded area.

The term “Zaporozhye Region” refers to the Ukrainian province of Zaporizhzhia, parts of which have been under Russian military occupation since 2022 and which Russia formally annexed, though the annexation is not internationally recognized. The claim of new territorial gains could not be independently verified.

Offensive Action Near Osykovo in the DPR

In a separate TASS report dated June 30, Marochko stated that Russian forces had begun fighting to capture the settlement of Osykovo, located northwest of Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. He claimed that Russian servicemen were “working to squeeze Ukrainian militants out” of the locality, and that while Ukrainian forces were attempting to resist, they were reportedly beginning to face “elements of a collapsing front line” in that direction.

The DPR is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia annexed in 2022, a move condemned by Ukraine and most Western nations. The precise frontline situation around Osykovo, which lies near the city of Konstantinovka, could not be independently confirmed.

Air Defense Intercepts Reported

Both TASS articles included a separate report stating that Russian air defenses had shot down a substantial number of Ukrainian drones over a 24-hour period. In the June 25 report, the number was given as 245, while the June 30 report cited 419 drones intercepted. The drones were reportedly downed over multiple Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Krasnodar, Lipetsk, Moscow, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Saratov, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula, Vladimir, Volgograd, and Voronezh, as well as the Republic of Crimea (the June 25 report also listed Orenburg).

These figures, if accurate, would represent a significant daily volume of Ukrainian drone activity deep inside Russian territory, suggesting an intensification of long-range strike operations. However, the numbers are solely attributable to Russian defense officials and have not been corroborated by independent observers.

Key Claims

• Russian forces have expanded their control zone near Lyubitskoye in the Zaporozhye Region, securing positions on the eastern outskirts of the settlement (according to Andrey Marochko, via TASS).
• Russian forces have begun an operation to capture Osykovo northwest of Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (according to the same source).
• Ukrainian forces in the Osykovo area are reportedly showing signs of a collapsing front line (claim attributed to Marochko, unverified).
• Russian air defenses intercepted 245 Ukrainian drones on June 24 and 419 on June 29 (figures provided by Russian defense sources via TASS).

Context and Assessment

The statements from Marochko, a military expert frequently quoted by Russian media, align with the Russian defense ministry’s narrative of steady territorial gains and successful defense against Ukrainian drone attacks. However, these are unilateral claims from official or pro-government sources and lack confirmation from independent international observers, Ukrainian military sources, or Western intelligence assessments.

It is also important to note that the term “Ukrainian militants” used in the TASS reports reflects the Russian official designation for Ukrainian armed forces, a terminology not recognized by Ukraine or its allies. Similarly, the use of the names “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Zaporozhye Region” implies Russian administrative terminology for occupied territories.

The reported drone intercept numbers, if taken at face value, indicate a high operational tempo in the air war, but such figures have varied widely in the past and are difficult to verify. The actual frontlines in both the Zaporozhye and Donetsk sectors have seen intense fighting for months, but the specific territorial changes described in these reports remain unconfirmed.

Perspectives

This story is presented solely through the lens of Russian state media and sources, reflecting the Kremlin’s military posture and messaging. Ukrainian sources, if consulted, might offer a contradictory account of the situation, likely denying any significant Russian advances and providing their own figures on drone attacks and interceptions. Western defense analysts would also be expected to caution against accepting unverified claims from either side, pointing out that frontline reports from conflict zones are inherently unreliable and often serve propaganda purposes. For a more balanced understanding, it would be necessary to await independent assessments, such as those from satellite imagery analysis or reports from international military observers.