MELITOPOL, January 20. /TASS/. The Ukrainian-controlled city of Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region is facing operational encirclement following the takeover of four nearby settlements, Chairman of the We Stand With Russian movement Vladimir Rogov told TASS.

"If it continues this way, Orekhov may find itself in operational encirclement," Rogov said, when asked about latest developments.

Orekhov is about 60 kilometers away from the region’s administrative center, the city of Zaporozhye. Although both Orekhov and Zaporozhye are under Ukraine’s control, Kiev forces control less than 30% of the region’s entire territory.

Rogov told TASS on Thursday that Russian forces had taken operational control of four settlements near the city of Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region. Rogov emphasized that according to intercepted communications, Ukrainian troops stationed in the area were facing artillery and drone shortages, which could force them to retreat.