Ukraine war: Kyiv claims success as southern fighting intensifies
28-07-2023, 09:38

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

Ukraine's military says it has had success on one of the front lines in southeast Ukraine, as Western officials talk of a major thrust taking place.

In a video published by President Zelensky, Ukrainian troops said they had taken the village of Staromaiorske.

Earlier, Ukraine's military said it was "solidifying positions" it had reached in the same area, east of the city of Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine has not confirmed that it has beefed up its counter-offensive.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's attacks had "significantly" intensified.

He told reporters in St Petersburg they had had no success: "All counter-offensive attempts were stopped, and the enemy was pushed back with high casualties."

Russian-backed militia leader Aleksandr Khodakovsky contradicted Mr Putin, saying Ukraine had methodically shelled Staromaiorske for several days and made gains, holding on to the outskirts and pushing on.

Russian military blogger WarGonzo said the news was disturbing as Staromaiorske was a key Russian outpost on the front line in the south-eastern region of Zaporizhzhia.

Russia's war bloggers are considered an alternative source of information from the front line in the absence of official accounts.

Ukraine's counter-offensive began on a number of fronts last month but has seen very few clear gains so far. Kyiv's generals have warned that fast results are almost impossible because of Russia's fortified defensive lines and rows of minefields.

The man in charge of operations in the south, Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, has told the BBC that "any defence can be broken but you need patience, time and skilful action".

Although there has so far been no word from Kyiv, unnamed US defence officials have told American outlets that a new push has begun in the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War said an "intense frontal assault" had been launched towards Robotyne, to the south-east of Zaporzhhia city and some 10km (6 miles) south of the town of Orikhiv.

WarGonzo said Ukrainian forces were bombarding Russian forces on the northern and eastern outskirts of Robotyne, although that was not confirmed by Kyiv. The Russian defence ministry said Ukrainian attacks there had been repelled.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Hanna Maliar has spoken of a "gradual advance" in Ukraine's push towards the two cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk. Any advance towards either city would mark a decisive step in the military campaign.

If Ukraine's forces are able to make further progress in Robotyne, the next settlement to the south is Tokmak, on the road to Melitopol.

One area where Ukraine has said it is advancing is south of Bakhmut, the eastern city captured by Russian forces after a long and ferocious battle that reduced it to ruins.

Ms Maliar said Ukrainian forces were gradually moving forward and fighting was taking place in three villages on the front line directly south of the city. "The fighting is pretty harsh. Enemy fire is intense," she said.

In a separate development, Ukraine's parliament has voted to extend martial law for another 90 days, barring men of fighting age from leaving the country.

Martial law was imposed when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The vote also means parliamentary elections due in October will be delayed.

 

Comments: 666
#666   Maybelle
      
my webpage - Online
poker
Yesterday, 06:13
#665   Vanessa
      
Here is my site :: site poker
20 January 2025 00:54
#664   Forest
      
Check out my web page; High Stakes Poker
17 January 2025 23:33
#663   Rickie
      
Look into my blog ... HighStakesDB
10 January 2025 18:02
#662   Cornell
      
Feel free to surf to my web-site play poker Online
10 January 2025 11:16
#661   Laurene
      
8 January 2025 02:41
#660   Curt
      
7 January 2025 18:21
#659   Woodrow
      
Look at my blog - free poker
6 January 2025 00:44
#658   Sam
      
Feel free to visit my web page: poker Online
5 January 2025 22:09
#657   Andres
      
my web blog ... Live poker
5 January 2025 18:45
#656   Darren
      
3 January 2025 09:02
#655   Gabrielle
      
Also visit my blog: dating over 50 (Dwayne)
2 January 2025 13:54
#654   Lilliana
      
31 December 2024 21:32
#653   Susanna
      
Also visit my homepage: Daycare Near Me By State [sorina.viziru.7]
28 December 2024 19:32
#652   Cornelius
      
23 December 2024 10:18
#651   Windy
      
Check out my page: Daycares popular listings
22 December 2024 16:25
#650   Ira
      
Also visit my site :: online poker
tournaments
18 December 2024 18:57
#649   Bruce
      
18 December 2024 13:00
#648   Gretchen
      
My site - Free Poker

Feel free to surf to my page; Daycares By Category [Debra]

my webpage ... play poker online
17 December 2024 22:08
#647   Charlotte
      
17 December 2024 02:43
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 34Next