Ukraine Makes “Notable Progress” in Push Against Russian Defenses in South, says US Government
Ukraine’s forces have achieved “notable progress” in their ongoing offensive against heavily fortified Russian positions in the south, according to the US government. White House security spokesman John Kirby stated that these gains were made in the past 72 hours south of Zaporizhzhia. However, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba acknowledged that although their forces were advancing, the fight was tough.
Russia, on the other hand, claims to have taken strategic heights near the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine. These claims, however, have not been independently verified. Mr. Kirby also mentioned that Kyiv admitted that the push in the south, which aims to split the Russian land corridor to Crimea, was progressing slower than expected.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s military announced the capture of the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. In the northeast, Russia has amassed forces in an attempt to recapture territory that Ukraine had previously liberated east of Kharkiv.
In the south, Russia is believed to have constructed an elaborate system of trenches and tunnels, defended by minefields, as well as artillery positions and “dragon’s teeth” anti-tank concrete barriers. Kyiv launched its counter-offensive following the acquisition of more advanced weapons from its allies in the West and the preparation of assault battalions.
Progress in the offensive has been slow, prompting Kyiv to continue urging NATO countries to deliver tanks, de-mining equipment, and warplanes, particularly US-made F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his irritation with critics of the pace of Ukraine’s counter-offensive, telling them to “shut up” and come to Ukraine if they want to see the challenges firsthand.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion. Russian forces had previously seized the Crimea peninsula and a significant portion of Ukraine’s Donbas region in 2014.
Meanwhile, President Putin, at the start of the school year, addressed pupils, emphasizing Russia’s invincibility based on their victory in World War Two. He stated that their triumph proved that their nation was unbeatable and that they remain the same today.
In an effort to strengthen nationalistic sentiments in schools, the Kremlin introduced so-called “important conversations” after the Russian invasion began. Furthermore, Russia’s military announced the deployment of a new strategic nuclear missile system called Sarmat, which reportedly has multiple warheads. However, the independent confirmation of this deployment remains pending.