Ukrainian officials say they are on the brink of taking control of the tactically important village of Robotyne. It comes as the counteroffensive last week saw the nation take back Urozhaine.
Reports from the Armed Forces of Ukraine suggest troops are engaging in a close-range mopping up operation in the village. Tanks have been firing on Russian positions while being supported by an infantry fighting vehicle.
Moscow foot soldiers in the village seem to have offered little in response. Launching an anti-air missile and returning some fire against the Ukrainian soldiers towards the end of a clip shared on Telegram.
The moves in Robotyne come as some have criticised the costly counteroffensive for moving slower than expected. Ukraine has not made the substantial breakthrough it had hoped, reports Newsweek.
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On Monday however, Ukraine Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the country had made advances to reclaim occupied land in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. Writing on Telegram, she said: “Our units were successful in the direction southeast of Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka, Zaporizhzhia region.”
She said Russian troops had also battled unsuccesfully to take back an area to the east of Robotyne. According to the Kyiv Post, Robotyne is located at the osuthern-most tip of an offensive push launched by the AFU.
The operation in the area was reportedly launched in June and aims to punch through Russia’s defensive lines along the T0408 highway towards the city of Tokmak.
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Last week Ukrainian forces liberated Urozhaine. It is reported this move could have had a large impact on Moscow’s forces in the country.
Urozhaine has been seen as an important supply line for the Kremlin’s soldiers in Ukraine. A US think-tank had previously claimed losing the settlement could be a big blow to morale among the Russian forces.
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