Kyiv, on Monday, announced that its forces had liberated the Russian-occupied region of Robotyne close to the southern frontline and are advancing in the south. "Robotyne has been liberated. Our forces are advancing southeast of Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told AFP.
Maliar also said that Ukrainian forces are advancing south of Bakhmut. Ukraine launched its offensive in June after building up assault battalions and attacking Russian positions. The troops reportedly hoisted the Ukrainian flag at Robotyne last week.
Moscow officials in the meanwhile said that Ukrainian forces are running out of resources and officials in Kyiv have acknowledged that progress has been slow. Both Robotyne and Mala Tokmachka are in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia. The ultimate goal in invading the south is to reach the Sea of Azov and cut off Russia's path between occupied Crimea and Donetsk.
The Russian forces had claimed to have annexed Zaporizhzhia despite not having military control in the region. Ukrainian forces have been entering Russian defensive lines of trenches and minefields.
