Gerasimov “opened his cards” to Putin and announced an attack on Zaporizhzhia: expert points to a trap
10 October 19:30
ANALYSIS FROM 
Troops of the Dnipro group launched an offensive in the direction of Zaporizhzhia. Such frankness in the statements of the Russian command has raised a wave of questions about whether the Kremlin is really preparing a large-scale attack or whether it is just an information operation aimed at misleading the Ukrainian command. According to Gerasimov, it could be either a real reinforcement of Russian forces in the southern direction or an attempt at strategic deception to force Ukraine to move its reserves. Read more in the article
For some reason, the Russians no longer even hide their intentions. Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov openly reported to Putin that the troops of the Dnipro group have launched an offensive in the direction of Zaporizhzhia.
According to Gerasimov, the fighting is for the possession of the towns of Prymorske and Stepnohirsk. According to the Ukrainian military, this area is one of the key areas for the enemy, which is trying to break through the defense and create a foothold for further advancement to the regional center.
In addition, the Russian general boldly stated that “targeted massive strikes on military facilities and enterprises of the defense industry of Ukraine” are underway. The occupiers pay special attention to destroying factories that manufacture long-range missiles and drones. However, they do not miss opportunities to target civilians.
“Priority is given to the destruction of enterprises producing missile systems and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles,” Gerasimov cynically stated, effectively admitting that Moscow is afraid of Ukrainian drones and missiles.
“Offensive on Zaporizhzhia” may be an information trap
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov’s statement about the preparation of a Russian offensive on Zaporizhzhia raised many questions. Is the Kremlin really planning a new offensive, or is it just an information operation designed to confuse the Ukrainian command?
In an exclusive commentary
Look, there are two conceptual explanations. First, Russia is indeed making progress in the Novopavlivka area. They are advancing towards the Dnipropetrovs’k region, Pokrovske. And this is, in principle, towards the west, towards Zaporizhzhia. This is one time compared to what they have in Pokrovske, Donetsk region,” explains Stupak.
According to him, lately, Russian forces have been redeployed from Donetsk region in the direction of Novopavlivka, exactly where the enemy may try to create a new foothold for an offensive.
This has already been reported to the public. Some troops are being taken from Donetsk region to Dnipropetrovs’k region to be reinforced. Therefore, on the one hand, everything looks logical: they are moving west towards Zaporizhzhia and recognize Donetsk region as an unpromising area,” Stupak said.
However, according to the expert, this “logic” may contain a trap. If Gerasimov made such a statement, it is an attempt to mislead the Ukrainian command.
To force the Ukrainian military to take some people from the Donetsk area – Kostiantynivka, Pokrovske – and transfer them to Dnipropetrovs’k or Zaporizhzhia. And then Russian troops would return from Donetsk and strike where we are no longer present,” Stupak emphasized.
Thus, the expert does not rule out that the Russian side is preparing not so much a real offensive as a large-scale disinformation operation aimed at stretching Ukrainian forces and creating the illusion of a new direction of attack.
What is happening in the Zaporizhzhia sector?
On October 10, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the operational situation in different areas of the front.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled four enemy attacks in the areas of Kamianske, Stepove and Plavni. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the units, the invaders were unable to advance and suffered losses.
Four unsuccessful attempts to storm Ukrainian positions were also recorded in the Prydniprovskyi sector. The enemy tried to break through the defense, but our troops remain on their lines.
No combat activity or offensive attempts by Russians were recorded in the Kramatorsk and Huliaipil sectors.
Thus, as of October 10, Ukrainian troops are in full control of the situation on these fronts, successfully repelling attacks and maintaining defensive positions.
Thus, the “announcement of an offensive on Zaporizhzhia” may be another maneuver by the Kremlin, which seeks to undermine the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces not with fire, but with cunning. Experts emphasize that the Ukrainian command should keep a cool head and not respond to provocations that could be costly on the real fronts, especially in the Donetsk region.
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