Ukrainian forces have made some headway in their drive southward as part of a counteroffensive to recapture areas seized by Russia in its 19-month-old invasion of its neighbour, the Reuters news agency reported, citing military officials.
Ukrainian officials said Kyiv's forces were resisting Russian attempts to reverse gains on the eastern front made by Ukraine since it launched its counteroffensive in June, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian troops were pressing on with a drive toward the Sea of Azov to split Russian-occupied territory in the south and east, Reuters reported.
"We have had partial success to the west of Robotyne," a spokesman for Ukraine's Southern Group of Forces, Oleksandr Shtupun, told national television, as cited by Reuters, adding that Ukrainian troops were "continuing to reinforce the positions they hold."
Ukrainian troops have recaptured a string of villages and are preparing for new advances, according to officials.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said on Wednesday evening that its forces had repelled Russian attacks near the villages of Robotyne and Verbove.
The General Staff report also said Russian forces had been unsuccessful in attempts to recapture ground near Andriivka, a village in the east recaptured by Ukrainian forces last month, Reuters reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Thursday is day 589 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters