Russia says southeast Ukraine is now the main focus of fighting in the war
Russia says southeast Ukraine is now the main focus of fighting in the war
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade is seen inside an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on against the background of an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade shows his thumb up as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Wounded soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade wait for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade smokes as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade walk to their positions near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade ride an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade is seen inside an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade is seen inside an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on against the background of an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on against the background of an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade shows his thumb up as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade shows his thumb up as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Wounded soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade wait for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Wounded soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade wait for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade smokes as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A wounded soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade smokes as he waits for evacuation near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade, call sign Polumya (Flame), 19, near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade walk to their positions near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade walk to their positions near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade gives first aid to his wounded comrade near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade goes on his position near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade looks on in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
A soldier of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade jumps in a trench under the shelling near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade ride an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade ride an APC near Bakhmut, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Zaporizhzhia region of southeast Ukraine has become the most recent hot spot for battles in the 18-month war, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, as Kyiv’s forces press ahead with their counteroffensive.
Shoigu told Russian military officers that Ukraine has brought up reserve brigades there that were trained by Kyiv’s Western allies. He offered no evidence for his claim, which could not be independently verified.
Fighting in the southeast could be one of the keys to the war. If Russian defenses there collapse, Ukrainian forces could push southward toward the coast and potentially split Russian forces into two.
Shoigu’s assertion was corroborated in part by other reports and assessments of Ukraine’s three-month-old effort to drive out the Kremlin’s troops.
The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank, citing geolocated footage, said Tuesday that Ukrainian light infantry has advanced beyond some of the anti-tank ditches and dense minefields that make up Russia’s layered defenses in Zaporizhzhia.
However, it said it was unable to state that the defense was fully breached, because no Ukrainian heavy armor has been witnessed in the area.
It is in the south that the Ukrainian brigades have made most recent battlefield gains as the counteroffensive inches forward under heavy fire.
Since the grinding counteroffensive began about three months ago, Ukraine has advanced 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian officials claim. Troops surmounted dense Russian fortifications last week to retake the village of Robotyne. That was Ukraine’s first tactically significant victory in that part of the country.
Ukrainian forces have made more progress in that area and were fortifying captured positions on Tuesday morning, according to Pavlo Kovalchuk, spokesman of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Neither side’s battlefield claims could be verified.
If Ukrainians progress just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Robotyne, they could come within firing range of Russia’s east-west transport routes and potentially weaken Moscow’s combat capabilities, military observers say.
Ukrainian forces are advancing without air cover, making their progress harder and slower, while Russia has launched its own push in the northeast to pin down Ukrainian forces and prevent them being redeployed to the south.
Ukraine has adapted its counteroffensive tactics in recent weeks, moving from attempts to bludgeon its way through Russian lines using Western-supplied armor to better-planned tactical attacks that make incremental gains, according to the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank.
“However, this approach is slow, with approximately 700–1,200 meters (2,300-4,000 feet) of progress every five days, allowing Russian forces to reset,” it said in an assessment Monday.
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