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☆ Ukraine will speed up advance on southern front -commander
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Vladyslav Smilianets | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Ukrainian soldiers of the Separate Assault Battalion 'Skala' enter the embattled village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on August 25, 2023. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June, but well-prepared Russian defence lines reinforced by minefields have slowed their southward advance towards the Sea of Azov. "We don't stop here," said a commander who led some of the troops into Robotyne and uses the nom de guerre "Kombat". Both are occupied by Russian forces following Moscow's full-scale invasion in February last year. A U.S. official said last week that Ukrainian forces did not appear likely to be able to reach and retake Melitopol in their counteroffensive, intended to split Russian forces in the south.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladyslav Smilianets, Pavel Polityuk, Timothy Heritage, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Separate, Ukrainian Armed Forces, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Robotyne, U.S, Thomson Locations: Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Azov, Ukrainian, Orikhiv, Berdiansk, Melitopol, Moscow

Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine CNN —For Dima, the silence away from the horrors can be harder to bear. Now the damage to the town and the risk of his work is such that he says he works one shift a week. Like so many Ukrainians now, whose lives have been torn apart by the war, he struggles with the calm of rest days, and yearns to be back at work. And when I go to work, at least I feel at home and I can get some sleep, despite the shelling. You get tired, it is hard, but I can sleep there.”A building in Orikhiv destroyed by Russian shelling.

Persons: Dima, ”, “, Brice Laine, ” Dima, Dima’s, shellfire, ’, Orikhiv Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, ” CNN Locations: Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Europe, ”

☆ Ukraine says it gains foothold in strategic southeastern village
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Tuesday its troops had entered the strategic southeastern village of Robotyne, a potentially significant advance in its counteroffensive against Russian forces. "Our soldiers in the village of Robotyne," General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukrainian forces in the south, wrote on Telegram under a picture of a soldier in a tank. Tokmak's capture would be a milestone as Ukrainian troops press southwards towards the Sea of Azov, a military push intended to split Russian occupying forces. The Institute for the Study of War, an American research group and think tank, has described the Ukrainian attacks on Robotyne as "tactically significant". Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, did not immediately comment on the reports from Robotyne.

Persons: Hanna Maliar, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Organizations: Russian, Deputy, Reuters, Robotyne, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Robotyne, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia, Tokmak, Russian, Azov, American, Ukrainian, Russia, Kyiv

☆ Why F-16 jets can’t come soon enough for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Dnipro, Ukraine CNN —The depth and frequency of craters across the frontline city of Orikhiv are a blunt example of why Ukraine needs F-16 fighter jets urgently. Ukrainian troops amassed around the city have the unenviable task of pushing through minefields towards an enemy that has long anticipated their advance. Russian jets fire half-metric-ton bombs that glide in from afar – from outside of the reach of Ukraine’s air defenses – and then devastate Ukrainian positions at will. So when Ukraine says it urgently needs F-16s, it is because Ukrainian troops are dying daily because of Russian air superiority. Portuguese Air Force F-16 military fighter jets participate in NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission in Lithuanian airspace near Siauliai, on May 23.

Persons: Stringer, “, Petras Malukas Organizations: Ukraine CNN, NATO, CNN, Portuguese Air Force, Air Policing Mission, Getty Locations: Dnipro, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Russian, Ukrainian, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s, Moscow, Siauliai, AFP

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy meets troops in frontline Zaporizhzhia region
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awards a Ukrainian service members at a pre-hospital medical aid centre, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 15, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia and met troops fighting in the counteroffensive against Russian forces in the south, the president's office said on Tuesday. Ukraine launched a counter-offensive against Russian forces in the south and southeast at the start of June, hoping to cut Russian forces in half by advancing south towards the Sea of Azov. "The military emphasised the need for electronic warfare and frontline air defence systems to counter enemy aircraft and drones. There is also a need for drones, as they are quickly consumed in offensive operations," the office said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Pavel Polityuk, Tom Balmforth, Nick Macfie Organizations: Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Russian, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia region, Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Azov, Kyiv, Melitopol

During a week spent with troops around the town of Orikhiv, CNN saw a palpable improvement in morale as some advances appeared to be made. Destroyed buildings in the city of Orikhiv in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, which has been pummelled for months by Russian bombardment. Russian air superiority is taking Ukrainian lives daily, with half-ton bombs landing frequently – sometimes 20 in as many minutes. Ukrainian troops constantly relocate and hide their vehicles at every opportunity to frustrate Russian targeting. Brice Lane/CNNA Ukrainian tank fires from a treeline towards Russian forces on the country's southern frontline.

Persons: Eastern Ukraine CNN —, Ukraine’s, that’s, –, ”, Vitaly, Brice Lane, chatted, Eugene, “, Vlad, ” Eugene, Andrei, CNN Vlad, …, Julia, it’s Organizations: Eastern Ukraine CNN, NATO, CNN, 15th National Guard, Kyiv, 15th National Guard Brigade, ”, Russian Locations: Eastern Ukraine, Soviet, Robotine, Orikhiv, Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Russian, Ukraine's, Ukrainian

☆ What Ukraine must do to win in its southern push – and what Russia has in reserve
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

There’s simply no systematic pulling apart of the Russian defensive system that I could observe,” Gady tweeted. “Weakening Russian defenses to a degree that enables maneuver,” which will include the use of cluster munitions, is a critical task in the weeks ahead. It is far too early to tell whether the Ukrainian counteroffensive has entered a more dynamic phase. The Kremlin has seized upon the slow progress of the Ukrainian counter-offensive: a rare opportunity to go beyond damage limitation. “Russian defensive lines are not all contiguous or uniformly suited for strong defence.

Persons: Bradley, There’s, George Barros, –, “, ”, Barros, Franz, Stefan Gady, ” Gady, “ It’s, Kostyantyn, ” “, Stringer, Mick Ryan, Gerasimov, Vladimir Putin, Ivan Popov, Gady Organizations: CNN, Institute for, “, Legion, RFE, Radio Liberty, Reuters, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Army, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Washington, Ukrainian, Mines, Europe, Russian, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Novodarivka, Zaporizhzhia Region, Australian, Kreminna, Kiev, ”, Zaporizhzhia, Donbas

While it still maintains some combat power in reserve, it has now deployed the “main bulk” of the forces committed to the counteroffensive forces, one of the US officials said. “The second wave of the [Ukrainian] counteroffensive has begun” on the Zaporizhzhia front, said Vladimir Rogov, a member of the Russian-installed military-civilian administration in the region. The New York Times was first to report on the commitment of additional Ukrainian forces to the counteroffensive. Zelensky said last week that one reason for the slow progress of the counteroffensive was its later-than-planned start. However, some Ukrainian military officials have recently noted that Russia’s advantage in electronic warfare has blunted the effectiveness of drone operations.

Persons: “, Vladimir Rogov, Rogov, ” Rogov, Bradley, ”, Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, they’ve, Oleksii Reznikov, Reznikov, Putin, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Denys Shmyhal Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Leopard, Brigade, Artillery, Bradley, US, The New York Times, Ukraine’s, Aspen Security, United, Army Tactical Missile Systems Locations: Ukraine, Russian, “, Robotyne, Orikhiv, Papua New Guinea, Crimea, Donbas, St . Petersburg, Russia, Kyiv, United States, France, United Kingdom, Ukrainian, Odesa, Moscow

The task facing the advancing Ukrainian troops is monumental. Since seizing Ukrainian territory in last year’s invasion, Russia has built a dense defensive web of minefields, trenches, bunkers, tank traps and other obstacles. Other American officials said that the most recent Ukrainian attack might be preparatory operations for the main thrust or reinforcements to replenish war-weary units. American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said on Wednesday that most of those reserves had been committed. Local occupation officials reported fierce battles raging south of Orikhiv, involving brigades of foreign-trained troops and armor donated by the United States and Germany.

Persons: David Guttenfelder, Igor Konashenkov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, “ Organizations: 47th Brigade, The New York Times, Tass, Pentagon, “ Locations: Zaporizhzhia, Russia, Orikhiv, Robotyne, Tokmak, Russian, United States, Germany, Ukraine

☆ Russia abruptly fired a front-line general, and now Ukraine is seizing the moment to punch through the defenses he had overseen
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The fired Russian general had demanded changes after suffering losses in artillery battles with Ukraine that were crucial to holding their defensive lines. According to the US officials, Ukraine has expressed a desire to press south toward the occupied city of Melitopol, near the Sea of Azov. Doing so would allow Kyiv's military to split the territory that Russia currently occupies and threaten its hold on the Crimean peninsula. Ukrainian “Grad” multiple rocket launcher fires standing in a field near Orikhiv on June 27, 2023 in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. A press officer stands on top of a destroyed Russian military vehicle in Novodarivka village, Zaporizhzhia Region, southeastern Ukraine.

Persons: they've, Serhii Mykhalchuk, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ivan Popov, Popov, Dmytro Smolienko, Getty Images Popov, Mark Milley, Milley Organizations: Service, Ukrainian, US, NATO, Pentagon, New York Times, Grad, Getty Images, Kyiv, Kyiv's, Staff of, Armed Forces, Staff, Arms Army, Publishing, Times, Joint Chiefs Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Melitopol, Azov, Russia, Ukrainian, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian, Novodarivka, Zaporizhzhia Region

Ukraine has launched the main thrust of its counteroffensive, throwing in thousands of troops held in reserve, many of them Western-trained and equipped, two Pentagon officials said on Wednesday, hours after Russian officials reported major Ukrainian attacks in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. A spokesman for Russia’s Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, said the Ukrainians had mounted a “massive” assault with three battalions, reinforced with tanks, south of the town of Orikhiv, and then another a few miles farther south near the village of Robotyne, according to the state news agency Tass. Both were repelled, the ministry said. Other American officials cautioned that the latest Ukrainian attack might be preparatory operations for the main thrust or perhaps just reinforcements to replenish war-weary units. The challenge for the Ukrainians, since they began their counteroffensive in early June, has been to blast open a gap in the deep Russian defense network, and then try to pour through a much larger force.

Persons: Igor Konashenkov Organizations: Pentagon, Russia’s Defense Ministry Locations: Ukraine, Orikhiv, Robotyne

☆ Latest news on Russia's war in Ukraine, Kyiv drone attack repelled
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian forces have made gains along the southern front, according to Kyiv military officials and battlefield reports. Ukrainian forces are "entrenching themselves in the reached positions,” he said, adding that Russian troops were "resisting strongly." In an update Tuesday, the general staff said Russian forces continued to focus on preventing Ukraine’s advances along the southern front, indicating stiff resistance. “They managed to force units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to retreat to more advantageous positions,” Russian military blogger War Gonzo said. In the east: Ukrainian forces drove back the Russians near Andriivka, just south of the embattled city of Bakhmut, spokesperson Kovalov also claimed.

Persons: Andrii Kovalov, “, ”, Gonzo, Kovalov Organizations: Ukrainian, Ukrainian Defense Forces, Russian Federation Locations: Staromaiorske, ”, Velyka Novosilka, Russian, Melitopol, Orikhiv, Ukraine, Robotyne, Ukrainian, Andriivka, Bakhmut

CNN —A senior Russian general in command of forces in occupied southern Ukraine says he was suddenly dismissed from his post after accusing Moscow’s Defense Ministry leadership of betraying his troops by not providing sufficient support. Gen. Ivan Popov was the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, which has been engaged in heavy fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region. He is one of the most senior officers to have taken part in the bloody Russian campaign in Ukraine. The recording was posted on the messaging app by Andrey Gurulev, a member of the Russian Parliament and former deputy commander of the Southern Military District. Another Russian commander, Gen. Sergey Surovikin, who has not been seen in public since the failed Wagner-led rebellion last month, is “resting,” a Russian lawmaker said Wednesday.

Persons: CNN —, Ivan Popov, Popov, Andrey Gurulev, ” Popov, “, Sergei Shoigu “, vilely, –, Voyenniy Osvedomitel, Oleg Tsokov, ”, Valery Gerasimov, ISW, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s, Sergey Surovikin, Surovikin Organizations: CNN, Moscow’s Defense Ministry, Arms Army, Telegram, Southern Military District, ”, Kremlin, Combined, Army, British Storm, 58th Combined Army, Ukrainian, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia, “, Berdyansk, Washington, Zaporizhia –

5 miles from the front line Russian defensive line Anti-tank trap Trenches Beyond natural obstacles, miles of Russian defenses — trenches, tank traps and mines — only allow Ukraine’s troops to make incremental progress at best. 10 miles from the front line Russian defensive line If Ukraine can get 15 miles from the front line, to the city of Tokmak, urban warfare will pose its own challenges. 5 miles from the front line Russian defensive line Anti-tank trap Trenches Beyond natural obstacles, miles of Russian defenses — trenches, tank traps and mines — only allow Ukraine’s troops to make incremental progress, at best. 10 miles from the front line Russian defensive line If Ukraine can get 15 miles from the front line, to the city of Tokmak, urban warfare will pose its own challenges. 5 miles from the front line Russian defensive line Anti-tank trap Trenches Beyond natural obstacles, miles of Russian defenses — trenches, tank traps and mines — only allow Ukraine’s troops to make incremental progress, at best.

Persons: Wagner, hasn’t, it’s, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: Infantry, Vehicle, ORIKHIV, Tanks, Supplies Tank, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Territory, Tokmak, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s, Russian, Crimea

☆ Ukraine’s counteroffensive has been brutal and slow. But Kyiv has many cards left to play
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

And this is likely why we are seeing a slow – and at times incremental – start to this first phase of open operations. It has also been grueling, with Ukrainian losses reported around Mala Tokmachka, and now intense fighting near Pyatykhatky. Some estimates suggest only a quarter of Ukraine’s fresh units, bolstered by NATO training and supplies, are now in the fight. Ukrainian forces firing an S60 anti-aircraft canon placed on a truck on Juune 19, 2023. Kyiv needs to cement a change in the frontlines to validate the huge investment in its forces made by NATO.

Persons: –, Wojciech Grzedzinski, Rykove, recalibrations, Vladimir Putin, Velyka, Blahodatne, Brigade perilously, Igor Strelkov, Melitopol –, Kreminna, Ukraine’s, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zalyuzhnyi, gridlock Organizations: CNN, 73rd Naval Special Operations Center, NATO, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Moscow, Kyiv, Brigade, Donetsk People’s Republic Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Rykove, Kherson, Bakhmut, Crimea, Russia, Kyiv, Moscow, Volnovakha, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Mala Tokmachka, Pyatykhatky, Donetsk, Zherebyanki, Kamyanske, Dnipro, Melitopol, Azov, Kupyansk, Kharkiv, Russian

☆ Photos from Ukraine's offensive show how US Bradley IFVs are kicking butt even when they get blasted by Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Kieran Corcoran | Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An official described how a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle took a direct hit but kept going. Tough vehicles like the Bradley are stronger than Ukraine's own equipment, and may give it an edge. A damaged Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle in a photo shared by a Ukrainian official. A group of Ukrainian soldiers in front of a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, seemingly taken before it was damaged. It's unclear whether this was the same Bradley Maliar mentioned.

Persons: Bradley, —, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Bradley IFVs, Mia Jankowicz, Peter Chiarelli, Chiarelli, Bradley Maliar, Anton Borshch Organizations: Bradley Infantry Fighting, Service, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Russia, Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, Russian Grad, Observers, US Army, NBC News, NBC, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Ukraine's, Russian, Soviet, Russia, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukrainian

☆ How is Ukraine’s counter-offensive going so far?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Western equipment like battle tanks and armoured vehicles should help protect the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. "Ukraine's got choices," said Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at International Institute for Strategic Studies. Those thrusts may indicate Ukraine's generals have their eye on Tokmak, an occupied town in Zaporizhzia region some 25 km from the front line. Military analysts saw it as unlikely this would become the focus of the main Ukrainian offensive. Images shared by Russian military bloggers showed destroyed or damaged U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard 2 tanks, headline items of military aid sent by the West for the counteroffensive.

Persons: Rob Lee, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's, Ben Barry, Lee, Konrad Muzyka, Hanna Maliar, Muzyka, Maliar, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Jack Watling, Tom Balmforth, Mark Trevelyan, Mike Collett, White, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Western, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Reuters, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russian, West, Interior Ministry, Deputy, Troops, Military, Bradley, Leopards, Thomson Locations: Kyiv, KYIV, Ukraine, Russia, Crimea, Moscow, Kherson, Kharkiv, Poland, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Zaporizhzia, Melitopol, Velyka Novosilka, Bakhmut

☆ Analysis: Ukraine counteroffensive takes shape but main test still to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Moscow's strategy in the south likely aims to maximise Ukrainian casualties before Kyiv can reach the main Russian line of defences about 10-15 km (6-9 miles) away, according to Lee. The main thrusts have come near the Kyiv-controlled town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region and Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk region, about 80 km to the east. "My main concern five or six days into this main phase is that the progress appears to have stopped. Military analysts saw it as unlikely this would become the focus of the main Ukrainian offensive. Images shared by Russian military bloggers showed destroyed or damaged U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard 2 tanks, headline items of military aid sent by the West for the counteroffensive.

☆ Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia: Russian accounts admit Ukrainian forces are making some gains in heavy fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Tim Lister Josh Pennington Maria Kostenko Helen Regan | Tim Lister | Josh Pennington | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The channel said Monday that Ukrainian forces were trying to take higher ground to “create conditions for advancing,” and assessed that their aim was to advance toward the Russian-occupied hub of Staromlynivka. CNN cannot independently verify battlefield reports and other accounts paint a gloomier picture for Russian forces around Makarivka. Ukrainian deputy defense minister Maliar said Monday that Makarivka was one of seven villages recaptured by Ukrainian forces in the past week. Meanwhile, one of the most prominent Russian bloggers, Voenkor Kotenok, said late Monday that a senior Russian officer was killed as troops of Russia’s Fifth Army were forced to leave Makarivka. ‘Ultimate goal’In his nightly address Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fighting in the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia border region is tough but Ukrainian forces are recapturing territory.

Persons: Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, Hanna Maliar, Kyiv’s, Vladimir Rogov, ” Rogov, Anatolii Stepanov, ”, Rogov, Maliar, Makarivka, “, Neskuchne, Voenkor Kotenok, Voenkor, Sergei Goryachev, Goryachev, WarGonzo, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Igor Zhovkva, ” Zhovkva Organizations: CNN, Air, Saturday, Russian Telegram, ”, Getty, Makarivka, 127th Division, Donetsk, “, Donetsk ”, Russia’s Fifth Army, Staff, Arms Army, Russian Defense Ministry, United Group of Forces, Ukrainian Ground Forces Locations: Ukraine’s, Donetsk, Russian, Ukrainian, Kryvyi, Moscow, Velyka, Ukraine, Russia, Urozhaine, Staromlynivka, Zaporizhzhia, AFP, Makarivka, ”, Orikhiv, Crimea

The Bradleys are among almost 3,600 pieces of military equipment Ukraine has lost in the war, according to Oryx. Meanwhile, the website says it has documented the loss of more than 10,600 pieces of Russian military equipment. In a statement in Monday, Moscow claimed it had destroyed multiple Ukrainian armored vehicles in the Zaporizhzhia region. However, Russian anti-tank troops stand in their way, cold-bloodedly turning Western armored vehicles into scrap heaps,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said. While Russian forces continue to hold the city, Ukraine’s forces have concentrated their efforts on areas to the northwest and southwest.

Persons: Jakub Janovsky, Bradley, Bradleys, Rebecca D’Angelo, Artur Widak, ” D’Angelo, James “ Spider ” Marks, ”, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Mark Hertling, ” Hertling, CNN’s Jim Acosta, “, ” Serhii Cherevatyi, Cherevatyi, Hertling Organizations: CNN, US Bradley, Washington, US, 841st Transportation Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Bradley Fighting, US Army, Russian Ministry of Defense, Deputy, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Vostok, Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Donetsk, Nowa Deba, Poland, Bradleys, Moscow, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Velyka, Makrivka, Ukrainian, Neskuchne, Urozhaine, Orikhiv, Bakhmut

☆ 'What is there to be afraid of?' Ukrainians in frontline town hopeful about counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Vasco Cotovio Frederik Pleitgen William Bonnett Darya Tarasova | Vasco Cotovio | Frederik Pleitgen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The town in the Zaporizhzhia region sits just five kilometers away from a frontline where Ukrainian forces have been making a recent push. “The town is shelled every 24 hours.”And with the Zaporizhzhia frontline becoming more active because of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, aid deliveries may become more rare. CNN has been able to geolocate the videos to the Zaporizhzhia region but is unable to verify when they were shot. And nothing happens around town without them being well aware of it, even if that is a top-secret Ukrainian counteroffensive. She straps the food box to the back of her bike and – just before she cycles away – Ukrainian forces somewhere outside of town are heard firing a shell towards Russian positions.

Persons: “, Olga Shumska, unfazed, I’m, ” Shumska, Vasco Cotovio, CNN “, Nina Sokol, we’ll, they’re, Vitaliy Kubushka, you’d, ” Sokol, ” Organizations: Southern, Southern Ukraine CNN, CNN, Sokol, Global Empowerment, Howard Buffet Foundation, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Journalists, Ministry of Defense Locations: Southern Ukraine, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia, Zapoprizhzhia, Ukrainian, Moscow, Kyiv, Shumska, Ukraine

☆ Zelensky Signals Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Has Begun
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Marc Santora | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday offered the strongest confirmation yet that the long-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive had begun, as battles along a 600-mile front line offered further evidence that the long-awaited counterattack was underway. “Counteroffensive and defensive actions are being taken in Ukraine,” he said at a news conference Saturday with the visiting Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau. “At what stage, I will not disclose in detail.”The Ukrainian military, which guards battlefield information closely, offered only broad acknowledgment of the clashes playing out along the front Friday night into Saturday. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces firing rockets and artillery hit four Russian command centers, six areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, three ammunition depots and five enemy artillery units in firing positions, Ukraine’s military said. The claims could not be independently verified.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Justin Trudeau, “ Organizations: Saturday, Ukrainian, Military Locations: Ukraine, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk

☆ With Probes of Russian Lines, Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Takes Shape
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine’s army has sent forward German Leopard 2 tanks and American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, upgrading its aging fleet of Soviet-legacy armored vehicles. In all, Ukraine has received hundreds of Western tanks, armored vehicles and machines for breaching minefields. The Ukrainian government has been mostly silent about its opening moves, citing the need to maintain an element of surprise. The Russian government has been triumphal in claims of fending off attacks while offering little evidence. American officials, who said in recent days that the counteroffensive appeared to be underway, have said it is too early to make broad assessments, although they have generally been bullish on the prospects for Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

Organizations: American Bradley, Kyiv Locations: Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Donetsk, Velyka Novosilka, crisscrossed, Crimean, Moscow

Zelensky shrugged off Putin’s suggestions Ukraine’s armed forces were struggling and sought to apply some psychological pressure of his own. It is important that Russia feels [the counteroffensive], feels that they do not have much time left,” he said. On the battlefield, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported further Ukrainian offensive operations along the frontline to the south and east of Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky tight-lippedCNN is unable to verify Russian defense ministry claims, and the picture is no clearer from the Ukrainian side. Despite this, and the comments by the Ukrainian leader Saturday, there is still no evidence that Ukraine has begun a major advance involving large numbers of forces.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Zelensky, Putin, ”, Mala Tamkachka, Justin Trudeau, “ Organizations: CNN —, Kyiv Saturday, Russia’s Defense Ministry, The Defense Ministry, Vostok, Russian Defense Ministry, CNN, Officials, Canada’s Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Novopokrovka, Novodanilovka, Tokmak, Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk, Bakhmut

☆ Ukraine counteroffensive: Is Kyiv's operation underway south of Zaporizhzhia?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Andrew Carey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The attacks had been repelled, Shoigu said, adding that Ukrainian forces had suffered significant losses of both soldiers and arms. The situation facing Russian forces was very serious, he said. Breaking Russia’s land-bridge to Crimea, by rolling back Russian forces to the Sea of Azov, is clearly a central military objective for Ukraine. Ukrainian troops fire a Caesar self-propelled howitzer towards Russian forces near the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. Viacheslav Ratynskyi/ReutersCNN cannot independently verify claims made by Russian officials or those of well-sourced Russian military bloggers.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Semyon Pegov –, ” –, Volodymyr Zelensky, Alexander Kots, Vladimir Rogov, ”, Caesar, Ratynskyi Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Russian Ministry of Defence, 47th Mechanized Brigade, Defense Ministry, Reuters CNN, Russian Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Nova, Zaporizhzhia, Moscow, Orikhiv, Tokmak, Russian, Crimea, Azov, Melitopol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Ukrainian

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