– We are moving forward, and that is the most important thing. We are in motion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote that at the weekend.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the president is probably right.
The renowned institute in Washington, DC says images suggest that Ukrainian forces have advanced in their offensive.
According to ISW, Ukrainian soldiers have penetrated Russian fortifications near the town of Verbove, north of the town of Melitopol, near the coast.
The President of Ukraine visited the front line in Donetsk yesterday.
Foto: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / Reuters
Map of Russian-occupied areas (in red) in Ukraine on September 4.
Foto: “INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR AND AEI’S CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT / NRK
Map of Russian-occupied areas (in red) in Ukraine on September 4.
Foto: “INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR AND AEI’S CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT / NRK
Russia rejects progress
According to ISW, Ukraine is now probably east of the front line, behind Russia’s anti-tank defenses and bunkers.
Senior researcher Kristian Åtland at the Norwegian Defense Research Institute (FFI) says the Institute for the Study of War is usually a “good and reliable source.”
Russia flatly rejects the information about progress for Ukraine.
– Ukraine’s military has not achieved its goals on any fronts, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Mailar, on the other hand, says Reuters that they advance both in the east and in the south.
She says Ukraine has taken back around three square kilometers of land around the town of Bakhmut in the last week.
The claims have not been verified.
A Ukrainian soldier at the front line on Monday, September 4.
Foto: STRINGER / Reuters
– Slowly forward
The city of Bakhmut was taken by Russia in May, after many months of hard fighting.
Progress has been slow in the much-discussed Ukrainian spring offensive, which is now in its fourth month.
The goal of reaching the coast of the Black Sea is far away.
The progress of the last few days is nevertheless referred to as important, if that is true.
Senior researcher Kristian Åtland at FFI tells NRK that the offensive has gone slower than Ukraine hoped – but that it is far from over.
– The hope on the Ukrainian side is that they will be able to take advantage of the recent breakthrough and increase the pace of the advance.
Kristian Åtland, researcher at FFI
Photo: Norwegian Defense Research Institute
He says the Russians’ second and third lines of defense are weaker and more thinly manned than the first:
– And the closer the Ukrainians get to the coast in the south, the more vulnerable the Russians’ supply lines will be, says Åtland.
He says it is difficult to see whether the advance will now go faster.
– The Ukrainians know that the Russian forces will be more vulnerable the moment they have to leave their positions and engage in maneuver warfare in the open, says Åtland.
Russia tonight: Shoot down drones
Last night, Russian air defense shot down Ukrainian drones near Moscow, according to Russian authorities.
The drones are said to have been heading towards the Russian capital, according to Moscow’s mayor.
Russia has experienced a number of drone attacks in recent weeks.
On Monday, there were reports that North Korean President Kim Jong-un will travel to Russia during September.
The country can offer Russia more weapons for use in Ukraine.
Those who triumph over the crises Some find their family again, some find their country again and some do not give up hope.
2023-09-05 09:39:36
#sources #Counteroffensive #ahead
