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Ukraine gains on southern front could open way to Crimea, says Kyiv | Ukraine gains on southern front could open way to Crimea, says Kyiv |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Ukraine claims to have liberated the village of Robotyne in the past few days | Ukraine claims to have liberated the village of Robotyne in the past few days |
Recent gains by Ukrainian troops on the southern front could open the way for pushing the Russians back to the annexed Crimean peninsula, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said. | Recent gains by Ukrainian troops on the southern front could open the way for pushing the Russians back to the annexed Crimean peninsula, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said. |
He said this became possible after Kyiv liberated the "strategically important" village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. | He said this became possible after Kyiv liberated the "strategically important" village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. |
Russia's military says its forces are still holding on to the village. | Russia's military says its forces are still holding on to the village. |
Ukraine seeks to cut the land corridor to Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. | Ukraine seeks to cut the land corridor to Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. |
By doing so, Kyiv would split in two the land Russia occupies in southern Ukraine, making Moscow's supply lines more complicated. | By doing so, Kyiv would split in two the land Russia occupies in southern Ukraine, making Moscow's supply lines more complicated. |
The latest claims by both Ukraine and Russia have not been independently verified. | The latest claims by both Ukraine and Russia have not been independently verified. |
War in maps: Ukraine continues Robotyne advances | War in maps: Ukraine continues Robotyne advances |
Wave of drone strikes hits several Russian regions | Wave of drone strikes hits several Russian regions |
Russia’s kamikaze drones raining down on Ukraine | Russia’s kamikaze drones raining down on Ukraine |
Speaking at a recent meeting of French ambassadors in Paris, Mr Kuleba said: "Having entrenched on its [Robotyne's] flanks, we are opening the way to Tokmak and, eventually, Melitopol and the administrative border with Crimea." | Speaking at a recent meeting of French ambassadors in Paris, Mr Kuleba said: "Having entrenched on its [Robotyne's] flanks, we are opening the way to Tokmak and, eventually, Melitopol and the administrative border with Crimea." |
The Russian-occupied cities of Tokmak and Melitopol are key military and logistical hubs for Russia. | The Russian-occupied cities of Tokmak and Melitopol are key military and logistical hubs for Russia. |
Mr Kuleba stressed that Ukraine's counter-offensive - launched in early June - was continuing, but admitted it was an "extremely difficult" task. | Mr Kuleba stressed that Ukraine's counter-offensive - launched in early June - was continuing, but admitted it was an "extremely difficult" task. |
"The number of minefields and fortifications is unprecedented. Russian drones, helicopters and planes dominate the air. But we are gradually succeeding." | "The number of minefields and fortifications is unprecedented. Russian drones, helicopters and planes dominate the air. But we are gradually succeeding." |
He described how one group of 31 Ukrainian fighters had "literally crawled on their stomachs through kilometres of minefields", eventually making it possible for a brigade to retake Robotyne. | He described how one group of 31 Ukrainian fighters had "literally crawled on their stomachs through kilometres of minefields", eventually making it possible for a brigade to retake Robotyne. |
In its Wednesday's report on the battlefield situation, Ukraine's military also said its forces "had success" in the direction to the south and south-east of Robotyne. | In its Wednesday's report on the battlefield situation, Ukraine's military also said its forces "had success" in the direction to the south and south-east of Robotyne. |
But Russia's military said it troops had "repelled nine attacks" by Ukrainian forces in the Robotyne area, as well as around the Verbove village to the south-east. | But Russia's military said it troops had "repelled nine attacks" by Ukrainian forces in the Robotyne area, as well as around the Verbove village to the south-east. |
Moscow - which claims to have prepared three defensive lines in the south - has repeatedly described the Ukrainian counter-offensive as a total failure, costing many soldiers' lives with little progress. | Moscow - which claims to have prepared three defensive lines in the south - has repeatedly described the Ukrainian counter-offensive as a total failure, costing many soldiers' lives with little progress. |
The US-based Institute for the Study of War said "Ukrainian forces continued to advance east of Robotyne... on 29 August, while continuing to secure positions in Robotyne". | The US-based Institute for the Study of War said "Ukrainian forces continued to advance east of Robotyne... on 29 August, while continuing to secure positions in Robotyne". |
Ukraine claims to have penetrated the first of Russia's defensive lines near Robotyne, and its troops now aim to move further south to reach striking distance of all Russian-occupied towns on the Sea of Azov coast. | Ukraine claims to have penetrated the first of Russia's defensive lines near Robotyne, and its troops now aim to move further south to reach striking distance of all Russian-occupied towns on the Sea of Azov coast. |
But Russia is believed to have built up a kilometres-long system of trenches and tunnels, as well as dug-up artillery positions and so-called "dragon's teeth" anti-tank concrete barriers. Moscow hopes this will help to halt a further Ukrainian advance. | But Russia is believed to have built up a kilometres-long system of trenches and tunnels, as well as dug-up artillery positions and so-called "dragon's teeth" anti-tank concrete barriers. Moscow hopes this will help to halt a further Ukrainian advance. |
Kyiv launched its counter-offensive after securing modern weapons from its allies in the West and preparing assault battalions. | Kyiv launched its counter-offensive after securing modern weapons from its allies in the West and preparing assault battalions. |
However, progress has been slow, and there have been reports of some disagreements on war tactics between top Ukrainian and American generals. | However, progress has been slow, and there have been reports of some disagreements on war tactics between top Ukrainian and American generals. |
Kyiv also says it needs more Western weaponry, in particular tanks, de-mining equipment and war planes - like the US-made F-16 fighter jets - to challenge Russia's superiority in the air. | Kyiv also says it needs more Western weaponry, in particular tanks, de-mining equipment and war planes - like the US-made F-16 fighter jets - to challenge Russia's superiority in the air. |
On Wednesday, fighting also continued in north-eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are attempting to advance on the strategic city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. | On Wednesday, fighting also continued in north-eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are attempting to advance on the strategic city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. |
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. | Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. |
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Related Topics | Related Topics |
Russia-Ukraine war | Russia-Ukraine war |
Russia | Russia |
Ukraine | Ukraine |