Kiev’s army is advancing in southern Ukraine, the general leading the counter-offensive told the US press this weekend, in the latest Ukrainian claims that it is making progress in the Zaporizhia area.
Progress has been slower than expected as territory has been heavily undermined, but Kiev has reported strategic progress in recent weeks. “Near the village of Verbove we achieved a breakthrough and continued to advance,” General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy told CNN.
“Not as fast as expected, not like in World War II movies,” he added. But he emphasized that it is important “not to lose this initiative.”
Last month, Kiev declared a strategic victory by recapturing the southern village of Robotyne. A major breakthrough for the counter-offensive would be if Kiev were to recapture the city of Tokmak.
Retaking Tokmak would allow Ukrainian forces to advance further towards occupied Melitopol and annexed Crimea. “I think this (an advance) would happen after Tokmak,” the military officer said, but warned: “Right now (Russian forces) rely on the depth of their defense line.”
“The weather can be a serious obstacle during the advance, but given the way we are advancing, especially without vehicles, I do not believe it will greatly affect the counteroffensive,” he stressed, speaking of the arrival of autumn/winter.
The interview was published a day after Kiev attacked the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, claiming to have killed “senior” commanders.
Tarnavskiy said the success of the counteroffensive depends not only on what happens at the front, but also on the “destruction of command centers.”
And he added that the attacks on Crimea had improved the morale of Ukrainian troops: “This helps us, but it also gives us hope for the future.”
Source: DN
