Russians begin withdrawal from Tokmak amid Ukrainian advance on the Zaporizhzhya front
The Ukrainian forces advance on the Zaporizhzhya front is forcing Russian occupiers to withdraw some of their units from Tokmak, the Ukrainian Mayor of Russian-occupied Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said in an interview with Radio Svoboda (RFE/RL) on Oct. 12.
"Our military is gradually advancing towards Melitopol on the Zaporizhzhya front. What is the trend we are seeing from the enemy? First of all, today we can confirm the information that the enemy has moved some of its units from Tokmak and Molochansk."
Read also: Russia building new defenses near Berdyansk — Estonian intelligence
Almost half of the staff of the so-called "executive committee" was evacuated from Tokmak. The occupiers also evacuated some educational institutions, the FSB units, as well as relatives and families of military personnel stationed in the city.
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"They are transporting them to the temporarily occupied Melitopol. But I am confident that it will not be for long," Fedorov said.
Russian forces are reinforcing fortifications near Tokmak and constructing a new defensive line on the way to Berdyansk in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Estonian defense intelligence assessed on Sept. 29
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are consolidating their positions near Verbove in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, while Russian troops are on the defensive and fear losing the strategically important Tokmak, said the Tavria Defense Forces spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun
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