Ukraine forces think they have smashed through the most challenging line of Russian defenses in the south and will now be capable of moving more quickly, a commander in the south told Reuters.
Kyiv launched a counterattack in June, but far-sighted Russian defense lines reinforced by minefields have hindered their southward advance toward the Sea of Azov.
Our forces had lifted the country’s flag in the territory of Robotyne in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, almost 10 kilometers south of the frontline town of Orikhiv, the Ukrainian forces said.
Ukrainian commander, who led some of the armies into Robotyne, said that we don’t stop here. I made it straightforward to my soldiers at once: Our objective is not Robotyne, our goal is Azov, he added
Robotyne is almost 100 kilometers from Berdiansk and 85 kilometers from the strategic city of Melitopol. Both are held by Russian forces following a Russian full-scale attack in 2022.
Russia has not confirmed that Ukraine has moved into Robotyne.
Ukrainian forces did not seem probable to be capable of advancing and retaking Melitopol in their counterattack, planned to divide Russian forces in the south, a US official said last week.
However, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine disregarded suggestions that his nation’s troops were circulated too thinly and reiterated his belief that Ukraine would retake all Ukrainian territory that has been captured by Russia.
