Zelenskiy’s Alert: Russian Threats Against Kyiv’s Troops

Zelenskiy’s Alert: Russian Threats Against Kyiv’s Troops

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivered a strong cautionary message to the Ukrainian population, alerting them to Russia’s persistent efforts to hinder Kyiv’s counter offensive. In the meantime, a senior general provided an update on the situation in the southern front, reporting substantial progress.

Ukraine recently launched a counter offensive to reclaim territories in eastern and southern Ukraine that were seized by Russian forces during their invasion in February 2022. The primary objective of the operation is to recapture villages in the southeast, with the aim of reaching the Sea of Azov and areas near the eastern city of Bakhmut. These regions had fallen under Russian control in May after months of intense fighting.

Ukrainian military analysts acknowledge that the southward advance of Ukrainian forces has not been without obstacles. Russian sources assert that Ukrainian attacks in the eastern Donetsk region, specifically around Bakhmut, were successfully repelled.

In his nightly video address following a meeting with top commanders on Friday, President Zelenskiy emphasized the formidable resistance posed by Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine. He expressed gratitude for the progress made by the combat brigades in gaining ground.

Independent verification of the battlefield reports by Reuters was not feasible at the time of writing.

Following the meeting, General Oleksander Tarnavskyi, commander of the Ukrainian forces in the south, announced that his troops were systematically displacing the enemy from their positions. In the past 24 hours alone, the enemy is believed to have suffered losses of at least 200, according to a communication on Telegram from General Tarnavskyi.

Military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi, speaking on Ukrainian NV radio, described the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces as they advance southwards, particularly towards Berdiansk, a port on the Sea of Azov. The goal is to sever the land bridge established by Russian forces with the annexed Crimean peninsula. Hrabskyi reported that Ukrainian forces were currently advancing toward the village of Robotyne but encountered resistance from the enemy, which sought to impede their progress.

The Russian Defence Ministry’s daily report stated that their forces successfully repelled 16 Ukrainian attacks on the eastern front. These attacks occurred in various locations, including the long-contested town of Maryinka and the strategically significant village of Klishchiivka, situated on the southern outskirts of Bakhmut.

It is important to note that without further information and access to additional sources, providing a comprehensive and fully accurate account of the situation is challenging.