Putin Orders Intensified Russian Offensive in Southern Ukraine to 'Liberate' Zaporizhzhia

The Zaporizhia region, , was one of four Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia in 2022. The annexation has been widely condemned by Kyiv and Western nations as an illegal land grab. Despite these denunciations, Russian military advances continue, with , the chief of Russia’s General Staff, . December marked the fastest pace of advances this year, according to Gerasimov, who also highlighted that Russian forces are making gains across nearly the entire front line, with Ukrainian forces primarily focused on defense and counterattacks.

The intensification of the offensive coincided with diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal. The previous day, Putin had spoken with U.S. President , who is reportedly facilitating discussions between the U.S., Ukraine, and European stakeholders on a potential settlement. While Trump described the peace talks as "getting a lot closer," Russian officials have not shown a significant shift in stance. Putin reiterated his long-standing position that the liberation of Zaporizhzhia and other annexed regions is a core objective of the special military operation, with progress being made "confidently and in accordance with the plan."

The strategic importance of Zaporizhzhia is underscored by its location and infrastructure. The region includes the , one of Europe’s largest and most critical energy facilities. Russia has controlled the plant since 2022, and international concerns over its security persist due to frequent power outages and shelling in the area. During the recent meeting, Trump reportedly noted that Putin is cooperating with Ukrainian authorities to restore operations at the plant, while Kyiv remains cautious about Russian involvement. The plant’s future remains a key unresolved issue in peace talks, with Ukraine seeking full control and the U.S. proposing joint operation with Russia and the U.S.

Beyond Zaporizhzhia, Russian military leaders also discussed the establishment of buffer zones in other border regions, including parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. These areas are not among the regions Russia annexed in 2022 but have seen increased activity, including limited cross-border attacks. The focus on buffer zones highlights a broader Russian strategy to expand its influence beyond its declared annexation goals, further complicating peace negotiations that have not addressed ceding these territories.

The Russian military’s reported advances, however, remain contested. While commanders claimed significant territory captured and villages retaken, open-source analysis and Ukrainian military reports suggest that control in many settlements is limited or symbolic. For example, in , Russian forces are reported to have made partial gains, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold key positions. The disparity between official reports and verified battlefield data points to a pattern of exaggerated claims, likely intended to bolster domestic morale and political messaging.

The Zaporizhzhia offensive also raises questions about the pace and feasibility of Russian military objectives. At the current rate of advance, analysts estimate that Russia would need over three years to capture the remaining areas of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, assuming current tactics and resources persist. Challenges such as urban warfare in densely populated cities like Zaporizhzhia City and Kherson, along with logistical hurdles like crossing the Dnipro River, remain significant obstacles to rapid progress.

As the conflict enters its next phase, the intensification of the Zaporizhzhia campaign reflects both a strategic shift in focus and the broader geopolitical tensions at play. With Trump’s peace efforts underway and Putin’s military directives emphasizing territorial consolidation, the coming months will likely see continued volatility. The Zaporizhzhia region remains a focal point, not just for military operations but also for diplomatic negotiations and international concerns over nuclear safety.