NYT: Armed forces move troops to Zaporozhye and Bakhmut for main phase of counteroffensive
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After two months of grueling fighting, Ukrainian forces intensified their counter-offensive, attempted a new strike in the south of the country, and approached the furiously torn eastern city of Bakhmut.< /p>
The New York Times quoted unnamed Pentagon officials as saying that the “main thrust” of the counteroffensive had already begun, with the Ukrainian military sending thousands of Western-trained and equipped squads to a perceived weak spot in Russian defenses in the Zaporozhye region. However, the Washington Post reported that a US official “expressed caution” in his conclusions about launching a major counter-offensive. “We are seeing signs of preparations to introduce additional forces into the battle in the Zaporozhye region. But it is not clear what the purpose of these moves could be,” the unnamed official said.
Igor Konashenkov, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's press service, previously described a “massive” attack and fighting south of Orekhov, but said the attack was repulsed.
One of the immediate battlefields was the Russian-held village of Robotino, but the main Ukrainian targets are the heavily fortified cities of Tokmok and Melitopol, located near the coast.
“It's a big test,” the New York Times quoted a senior American official as saying. Ukrainian commanders reportedly sought to seize the opportunity after weeks of overwhelmed Russian defenses in Zaporozhye and shelling of Russian ammunition depots and logistics hubs behind the front lines. The dismissal of Russia's commander in the region, Major General Ivan Popov, following his criticism of the military leadership, has also heightened the sense that what the West sees as a moment of alleged Russian vulnerability in the region.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces are continuing their offensive in the region of the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, where three months ago Russia won the months-long and bloody battle for the destroyed city.
It. it has been reported that in recent days Ukrainian troops have occupied the village of Andreevka and are advancing around the village of Klishchevka, occupying important hills and nearby forests.
Ukraine is trying to partially encircle Bakhmut, advancing from the north and south to pose a threat for Russian forces inside.