Ukraine breaks through Russia’s first line of defense near Tokmak — CBS
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have broken through a minefield and have succeeded in their offensive on Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, CBS News reported on Aug. 18, citing U.S. officials.
Ukrainian troops had broken through to the north of Tokmak and were now engaged in a battle with the first line of Russian defense holding the city, the official said.
Liberating Tokmak and then advancing to Melitopol will be a difficult task for the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which has been making gradual gains since the beginning of this summer, argued CBS.
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One of the goals of the Ukrainian counteroffensive is to advance south through powerful Russian fortifications in order to recapture the occupied city of Melitopol, the gateway to Crimea, the outlet noted.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive: what is known
A new phase of Ukraine's counteroffensive began in late July, with the main blow coming from the southeast, where Ukrainian troops are gradually advancing through minefields and under attack by Russian aircraft, reported The New York Times.
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Ukrainian troops managed to break through the Russian forces’ defenses in some places in the south, reported Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar on Aug. 4.
Ukrainian defenders "continue to create conditions for advancement step by step," said Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
The counteroffensive may be behind schedule, but is going according to plan, announced Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Urozhayne on Aug. 16. In total, the Defense Forces recaptured nine settlements in the south and east of Ukraine in June, and Staromayorske in July.
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