The region was “preparing for defense,” said the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council, on Monday.

There were warnings that Russian forces were developing additional offensives in the south-central part of Ukraine.

“The enemy is preparing for the offensive,” the council stated.

“Occupying Russian troops have gathered a lot of equipment and personnel on the section of the front line Velyka Novosilka – Novodarivka – Malynivka. The enemy is trying to move in the direction of Zaporizhzhia, but no success.”

Forces haven’t changed their location.

Zaporizhzhia region has been the significant source for evacuation encircling the city of Mariupol.

The council said an evacuation column had departed from Zaporizhzhia to Mariupol.

But they lost the communication less than 25 kilometers from the town of Manhush, west of Mariupol.

The active combat has slowed evacuation columns.

“Zaporizhzhia is preparing for defense,” the statement from the council added.