Intense Russian Attack in Zaporizhia Claims the Lives of 3 Civilians and Destroys Homes

Local authorities in Ukraine announced today, Monday, August 4, that three people were killed as a result of a Russian attack on the town of Stepnohirsk located in the Zaporizhia region in the southeast of the country.

This comes as Russian forces continue their slow advance westward along a front line that stretches over 1000 kilometers.

Local governor Ivan Fedorov stated via the "Telegram" app that the daytime attack launched by Russia also resulted in the destruction of several homes in the town, while it has not been possible to independently verify this news.

In the nearby town of Kamianske south of Stepnohirsk on the Dnipro River, a Ukrainian military spokesperson confirmed that Ukrainian forces are still holding their positions despite ongoing Russian attempts to seize the area.

These developments come amid reports of a new Russian military movement in eastern and southeastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskiy reported that Russian forces are changing their tactics, relying on small sabotage units to gradually advance in the eastern Donetsk region.

The Russian campaign is currently focused on parts of the Donetsk region, especially around the logistical center of Pokrovsk, which has been experiencing continuous Russian attacks for months.

In this context, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced last Thursday that its forces had taken control of the town of Chasiv Yar in northeastern Donetsk, after ongoing fighting for months, despite Ukraine denying this control.

Moscow also confirmed on Saturday its control over another village near Pokrovsk.

In a video recording published yesterday, Sunday, Denis Pushilin, the official appointed by Russia over parts of Donetsk under its control, stated that controlling Chasiv Yar, which is situated on elevated ground, would facilitate further gains in the area.

For his part, the Ukrainian Army Commander posted on Facebook on Saturday that his forces are engaged in the fiercest battles around Pokrovsk and in two other sectors, and confirmed the formation of "special reserves to combat sabotage" to pursue and destroy Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups.