Ukrainian forces notched victories this week against two lines of Russian defense, according to a White House spokesman, who called the advances “notable progress” in Kyiv’s counteroffensive.
The spokesman, John Kirby, declined to discuss war plans for Ukraine but said the U.S. expected Ukrainian forces to continue to push farther south, which will require “tough fighting ahead.”Ukraine celebrated a tactical victory this week when its forces retook the southern village of Robotyne.
A senior Ukrainian military official said today that Ukrainian units had successfully pushed about three and a half miles farther south of Robotyne toward Melitopol, a primary target of the counteroffensive.
The White House comments came a day after Ukraine’s foreign minister sharply derided criticism of the counteroffensive as slow.
“I would recommend all critics to shut up, come to Ukraine and try to liberate one square centimeter by themselves,” he said.
Persons:
John Kirby, ”
Locations:
Ukraine, U.S, Robotyne, Ukrainian, Melitopol