Ukraine claims victory, captures key village in effort to divide Russian forces.

Ukraine ‌Liberates Southeastern⁣ Settlement ‌in Counteroffensive Against Russian Forces

Ukraine ‌ announced on ⁢Monday that its troops had successfully liberated ⁤the southeastern settlement of Robotyne ⁤and‌ were now pushing ​further south in their ongoing counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces.

The Ukrainian military proudly raised the national‌ flag ​in the strategic village last week, ⁤as shown in a video released ⁤by the⁣ forces. Following this, they conducted mopping-up operations until confirming ‌full control on Monday.

“Robotyne‌ has been liberated,” ‌Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar declared.

Located six miles south of the frontline town of Orikhiv‌ in⁢ the Zaporizhzhia region, ⁤Robotyne sits ⁢on an ​important road leading to Tokmak, a road and rail hub currently under Russian occupation.

The capture ⁤of Tokmak would be a ​significant⁣ milestone⁣ for Ukrainian troops as‍ they advance towards the Sea ‌of Azov. This⁤ military drive⁤ aims‍ to ⁤divide Russian forces following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

While Ukraine celebrates its progress, Russia has‍ not confirmed the⁣ Ukrainian advance. In a statement, Russia’s defense ministry claimed ‍that Moscow’s troops had repelled attacks near ⁣Robotyne ‍and Verbove.

In ​his nightly ⁣video address, President ⁢Volodymyr Zelenskiy‌ discussed different sectors ⁢of the front but made ⁢no mention⁤ of Robotyne.‍ He did, ‍however, state that Ukrainian forces were preparing responses to Russian plans in unexpected ways.

Ukraine believes that its fighters have‌ successfully breached the most challenging line of Russian defenses in the‍ south. ⁤A⁤ commander who led troops into‌ Robotyne last week shared this optimism with Reuters.

Defense ​Minister Oleksii Reznikov dismissed any suggestion of differences with Washington‍ over​ Ukraine‘s military strategy, stating that they were “mistaken​ and invented.” He emphasized that Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zalunzhniy was regularly meeting with senior officials from‌ allied countries supplying weaponry to Ukraine.

Media reports have highlighted a recent meeting between senior NATO military chiefs and Ukraine‘s top general to ‌discuss resetting Ukraine‘s military strategy.

The New York ⁤Times quoted U.S. and other Western officials ⁣who claimed that the offensive had​ made limited progress due‍ to Ukraine‘s troop ‌placement.

Fortifying Positions

A military⁣ spokesman confirmed that Kyiv’s ⁤forces were continuing to fortify their positions in Robotyne.⁤ Stabilization measures, demining, and preparations‌ for further‍ actions were‌ underway.

Deputy Defense Minister Maliar revealed that⁤ Ukrainian ‍troops, who initiated ‍their counteroffensive in early June, ‍were now moving ‌southeast of Robotyne and south of nearby Mala ‌Tokmachka.

In addition to the ongoing battles in ⁣eastern ⁤ Ukraine, Ukrainian ​forces have encountered extensive ​Russian‍ minefields and trenches, slowing their progress.

Maliar described the situation in⁢ the⁤ east as “very hot” in the past⁢ week, ⁢with⁢ Russian troops gathering new‍ forces ⁣and regrouping. Moscow aims to deploy ⁤its best troops in ​this⁢ region.

Ukrainian forces have continued their advance south of Bakhmut, the⁣ shattered eastern city captured by Moscow’s troops‌ in May after⁤ months of​ fierce fighting.

(Reporting by⁣ Tom ⁣Balmforth, Pavel Polityuk, Writing‍ by Anna Pruchnicka, editing ⁤by Timothy ⁤Heritage, Alex Richardson,‍ Ron ​Popeski, and Cynthia Osterman)