Ukraine’s military reports success on one of the front lines in southeast Ukraine, with President Zelensky posting a video of Ukrainian troops raising the flag in the recently liberated village of Staromaiorske. The village, located 150km east of Zaporizhzhia, was freed under dense artillery fire and air strikes. However, Ukraine has not confirmed whether it has bolstered its counter-offensive, while Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Ukraine’s attacks have intensified without significant success.
Russian-backed militia leader Aleksandr Khodakovsky contradicts Putin’s statement, stating that Ukraine has methodically shelled Staromaiorske for days and made gains in holding the outskirts and pushing forward. Russian military blogger WarGonzo considers the news disturbing, as Staromaiorske was a key Russian outpost on the front line in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive began on several fronts last month but has seen few clear gains so far due to Russia’s fortified defensive lines and minefields. While unnamed US defense officials indicate a new push in the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Ukrainian commentators warn that talk of a new phase may be premature. Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko suggests that Ukrainian forces are getting closer to breaking through Russia’s defensive lines in the south, but it may be too early to conclude they have fully succeeded.
Defence Minister Hanna Maliar speaks of a “gradual advance” towards the cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk, which would be a decisive step in the military campaign. The Ukrainian parliament has also voted to extend martial law for another 90 days, prohibiting men of fighting age from leaving the country, and delaying the parliamentary elections due in October.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Foreign Policy
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