This is the first time analysts have observed Ukrainian forces using armored vehicles outside the first line of Russia’s three-layer defense in Zaporozhye.
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The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is recording signs that Ukrainian armor has penetrated the last layer of Russian defenses in the Zaporozhye region. He noted in his daily bulletin signs that Ukrainian armor had advanced beyond the last of three Russian lines of defense in the Robotino area.
Geolocated videos that appeared on the Internet on September 21 show that Ukrainian armored vehicles are already located south of the last of three layers of the so-called Surovikin line in the Zaporozhye region. The footage shows that the equipment conducted limited combat operations west of Verbovoy and 18 km southeast of Orekhov, the nearest large settlement under Ukrainian control.
ISW considers it premature to conclude that the Ukrainian army has penetrated all defense lines and was able to drive vehicles through anti-tank ditches and the teeth of the dragon. It is unclear whether the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding territory using this last layer of fortifications. But it does indicate that the Ukrainians have made enough of a hole in the first two lines to be able to move equipment through, and have suppressed Russian artillery and anti-tank weapons in that area.
Note that four days ago, videos verified by the BBC indicated only that Ukrainian infantry penetrated through Russian fortifications, but not armored vehicles.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal, citing its source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, also wrote that Ukrainian troops had advanced to Novoprokopovka.
ISW indicates that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been making slow but steady progress in this area since mid-August, despite the deployment of increasingly elite forces from the Russian side – in addition to several airborne formations, video evidence has emerged of the presence of the 22nd Guards Special Forces Brigade here.
Earlier, the American newspaper Wall Street Journal published a report on events in the area of the recently liberated Ukraine village of Robotino in the Zaporozhye region, where, according to Western experts, the main direction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ attack is located.
According to the conclusions of the authors of the publication, Ukrainian armored vehicles were able to break through the main line of defense of the Russian army near the village of Verbovoye, located near Robotino, for the first time during the counteroffensive.
WSJ journalists reported on the situation at the front, based on interviews with Ukrainian military personnel operating in the area.
According to the publication, Ukrainian troops managed to overcome anti-tank obstacles, including ditches and concrete “dragon teeth,” which made it possible to send armored vehicles through Russian positions. This was reported to the newspaper by one of the Ukrainian military men, whose words are confirmed by Russian videos published on the Internet showing Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment being hit by artillery strikes.
The breakthrough is small and there are stubborn battles for this area. The Russians are stroking the area with artillery and launching counterattacks. Ukrainians are suffering heavy losses, WSJ correspondents describe the situation.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.