Ukraine successfully conquered a key Russian defense line in Verbove. United States-provided Stryker vehicles and Marder IFVs from the U.K. aided the counteroffensive’s success.
According to CNN, Ukrainian Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky leads the country’s counteroffensive along the southern front, also known as the “Surovikin line.” He reports the troops continue to advance and predicts more considerable outcomes.
However, General Tarnavsky conceded, “Not as fast as expected, unlike in the movies about the Second World War. The main thing is not to lose this initiative (that we have). And, well, not to lose it in practice, with actions.”
Furthermore, the General asserts the counteroffensive would not slow down because of winter weather.
“The weather can be a serious obstacle during [an] advance, but considering how we move forward, mostly without vehicles, I don’t think [the weather] will heavily influence the counteroffensive.
Earlier this month, Ukraine overtook the nearby community of Robotyne from Russian forces following heavy fighting. Verbove is approximately five miles east of Robotyne.
Some Ukrainian troops have pushed eastward toward the village of Novoprokopivka.
Express U.K. reported, “Soldiers expected battles south and east of Robotyne at another layer of Russian defenses on higher ground.”
General Tarnasvsky’s statement indicates that Ukraine’s months-long counteroffensive has made progress on the southern front against Russian troops.
The General said,” We have one — liberation of our territories. However hard it is, we will keep on working. And I want to thank even the skeptics; their criticism also influences our task’s success.”
In other war news, Ukraine launched a missile strike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea two days ago.
According to Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, the strike reportedly killed nine Russian military personnel and wounded at least 16 others.
The southern front’s long-term counteroffensive aims to eliminate Russia’s inland access or “land bridge” to Crimea.
Ukraine Demolishes Three Top Russian Combat Brigades
Ukraine seized two key towns, Klishchiivka and Andrivvka, on the Eastern front. Express U.K. reported this devastating counterattack also wiped out three of Russia’s best combat brigades.
Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said the capture of Klishchiivka and Andrivvka on higher grounds near Bakmut was a key breakthrough.
He told reporters, “In the fighting of the Bakhmut section, some of the enemy’s best units have been crushed and have completely lost their combat power.”
The Russian brigades that General Syrskyi referred to were the elite 31st and 83rd Air Assault Brigades.
According to several reports, the 72nd Motor Rifle Brigade was “essentially annihilated with three battalion commanders and a chief intelligence officer killed in the fighting.”
During the continued fierce fighting around Bakhmut, Russian troops attempted to regain lost positions. General Syrskyi assured reporters that Ukraine’s troops were holding the line.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Express U.K.: Vital Ukraine breakthrough underway as Zelensky’s men smash through Russian lines; By Matthew Dooley
Business Insider: Ukraine used US-provided Strykers to break through a critical Russian defensive line littered with minefields and trenches; By Katie Hawkinson
CNN: Ukrainian forces have broken through in Verbove, top General says; By Vasco Cotovio, Frederik Pleitgen, et al.
Featured and Top Image by the U.S. Army Courtesy of Wikimedia – Public Domain License
First Inset Image by Staff Sgt. Adriana M. Diaz-Brown for the U.S. Army Courtesy of Wikimedia – Public Domain License
Second Inset Image by Manhhai Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
