The Russian military acknowledged this Friday that intense attacks are taking place in southern Ukraine for control of the cities of Rivnopil and Urojaine, admitting a setback on the ground for the first time.
Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities have claimed since the beginning of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which began in June, that this operation failed and that all offensives have been repelled.
Ukraine claimed the liberation of some cities and an area of about 100 km², mainly on the southern front. “The most active attacks are taking place in the cities of Rivnopil and Urojaine,” the Russian army said.
These towns join others that Ukraine claimed to have reestablished in the Vremivka area last week.
Russia claimed that “five attacks by Ukrainian forces were prevented”.
The fact that there were attacks to gain control of these cities meant that the Russian lines had retreated a few kilometers to the south and east, on the border of the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, partly occupied by Russia.
The Ukrainian army reported progress on Thursday despite “vigorous resistance” from Russian troops.
The Vremivka area is ten kilometers north of the main Russian fortified lines formed by trenches and anti-tank traps.
Source: DN
