The general leading Ukraine’s counter-offensive along the front line in the south of the country says his forces have invaded Verbove, near Mariupol – and predicts an even greater advance is to come.
“On the left flank [perto de Verbove] we have progress and we continue to advance”, said Oleksandr Tarnavsky to the senior international correspondent of CNN Frederik Pleitgen, during an interview last Friday (22), although he admitted that his troops were moving more slowly than expected.
The general’s statement is the latest indication from Ukrainian authorities that inroads are being made on the southern front in the war with Russia.
Ukrainian forces said in recent weeks they had entered the “first line” of Russian strongholds in the Zaporizhzia region, a sign they were closing in on Moscow’s extensive network of fortified trenches along the southern front.
However, Russian-appointed officials in Zaporizhzhia gave a different picture of the fighting.
A CNN was unable to verify battlefield reports from either side. However, open source analysis of available videos suggests that some Ukrainian units crossed a key line of Russian defenses near Verbove.
Ukraine’s long-term goal is to break Russia’s “land bridge,” which connects the territory it holds in the east to annexed Crimea.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces claimed to have taken Robotyne and were advancing east towards Novoprokopivka.
Soldiers reported expecting battles for control of high ground to the south and east as they approached the next layer of Russian defenses.
Verbove is a few kilometers east of Robotyne.
See also: Mother of three fights on the frontline in Ukraine
Source: CNN Brasil
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